The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Perris on April 07, 2018, 10:06:57 pm

Title: when will AI restrictions be lifted?
Post by: Perris on April 07, 2018, 10:06:57 pm

does anyone know? or want to make a guess?

Title: Re: when will AI restrictions be lifted?
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 09, 2018, 09:14:35 am

As far as I'm aware the restrictions this year were a recommendation to restrict the access of wild birds to domestic birds' feed.  Last year's restrictions were more onerous, including housing the birds and suspension of poultry markets.  I don't leave feeders where wild birds can get at them anyway - feed is quite expensive enough without  feeding the birdlife of the whole valley.

Title: Re: when will AI restrictions be lifted?
Post by: Perris on April 09, 2018, 08:17:48 pm

yes the restrictions were a lot better than last year, but I like feeding the wild birds and have felt really sorry for them this long wet and cold winter - I want to hang my feeders back up!

Title: Re: when will AI restrictions be lifted?
Post by: Backinwellies on April 10, 2018, 07:06:54 am

Quote from: Perris on April 09, 2018, 08:17:48 pm

yes the restrictions were a lot better than last year, but I like feeding the wild birds and have felt really sorry for them this long wet and cold winter - I want to hang my feeders back up!

My feeders never came down .... I don't get winter migrants feeding from them ... and it keeps birds away from poultry area.

Title: Re: when will AI restrictions be lifted?
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 10, 2018, 08:43:49 am

Me too.  My wild bird feeders are on the other side of the farm buildings to the poultry.  I was topping them up five times a day when the snow was down.  One grey partridge has become so habituated I could probably pick her up if I wanted to.  My neighbour across the valley saw a couple of swallows yesterday - I expect they've gone back for their umbrellas and galoshes.