[harmony]

I read somewhere that incorrect disposal of infected birds had the  potential to spread the disease.

Think I would contact the vet in the worse case scenario and get them to advise.

I'm in Wales too. Let's hope it doesn't come to that 

If your chickens become ill then you call the vet, if they suspect avian flu they report it and test for it, then the officials will take over. It is notifiable.

[in the hills]

Yes. In the last outbreak a few years ago when measures were in place, my sister's friend had a chicken that was unwell. She took it to the vet. Vet told her that they would have to notify and almost as soon as she returned home she had a phone call to say officials were on their way.
They turned up in their white suits and took samples. They must have been happy with the findings and nothing more came of it.
I think that all you'd need to do is notify the vet of any concerns.

[Anke]

I have just been told that a dead Wigeon has been found in Llanelli, Wales, and has been confirmed as having bird flu.  Its getting closer to me now, near Carmarthen.  Despite locking my chucks up and keeping them from wild birds etc etc,  if they all get bird flu and die ( worse case scenario) what do l do with the bodies, anyone know? They are all healthy at the moment but it did occur to me that disposal of any carcases has not been mentioned. Just wondering.

What's a WIGEON? Is it a welsh pigeon? Sorry, just joking....

[mizzpetit]

I have 2 rescue girls (ex organic egg farm girls) who have now really had their beaks put out of joint.. Not only were they moved from acres of free ranging to a back garden of a terraced town house,  they now can't even leave their covered run. They have been really stressed a) because of a repeatedly visiting fox whom we can't keep out of the garden and b) they can't stand being 'cooped' up (sorry). Lots of feathers have appeared at end of run and tiny bald patches are appearing. Have tried the hanging cd,  cabbage and stuff to jump on etc,  hidden corn etc. I feel awful. What with the fear of the fox and the lack of freedom I really don't feel like my happy chickens are quite so happy. If they are really feeling so miserable,  would it be better to (deep breath) cull them? This has been our first foray into hen keeping and was primarily to have eggs.. They are still laying but not always one each but that's not the issue. I'm just worried about their mental and physical welfare.

Any advice would be welcome!

[Piggerswiggers]

Mizzpetit - could they be moulting? My six rescue hens had started before being grounded, the amount of feathers in a confined area looks extreme, like someone has emptied a pillow out. I don't think that the actual shedding is any more than usual it's just that the feathers are "cooped up". They also go off lay when moulting, I'm certainly seeing fewer eggs.

[in the hills]

I agree. Could just be moulting and egg production will naturally slow down or stop altogether as they put energy into feather production.
A couple of mine are moulting at the moment.

[Louise Gaunt]

Can you spend some time watching them to see if they are feather pecking rather than moulting? Lots of feathers plus bald patches sounds more like moulting than feather pecking. I know how difficult it can be for confined hens, mine are a bit bored despite a variety of enrichment. I hope they settle soon.

[doganjo]

With the steady rain we keep getting here clearing the water pooling on top of the tarp is getting to be a regular exercise. And if we do get the flu in the wild birds this water could be a dilute H5N8 soup if a passing sick dicky-bird has pooped on the tarp on his way over so I guess we need to treat it as such from now on or it's all a waste of time.

My son poked tiny holes in the tarp before putting it on so the rain would drip through.  Never anticipated all this  rain making it into bird flu soup :-(

[ColinS]

I have a ridge beam allowing the water to run off but, given that it only lands just outside the pen I did wonder if a tarp drain or two (like the ones Bradshaws sell) might be better as the pipe could be extended to take the water further away.

I guess you need to do a bit of work with gaffer tape on those holes  - some of my old tarps over some of the machines owe a lot to gaffer tape 

[Rupert the bear]

Bad news 23/12/16 , A wild peregrine falcon found in Dumfries and Galloway has tested positive for H5N8 Avian Influenza

http://news.gov.scot/news/avian-influenz .

[Womble]

Must have been someone he ate  .

[Fleecewife]

Some pigeons too.

[ColinS]

Some pigeons too.

I'm hoping the pigeon story is a mistake. This one mentions wood pigeons in Leicestershire and Somerset which sounds suspiciously like the source mis-heard the reports about widgeon in those counties:-

http://www.essexlive.news/brentwood-animal-sanctuary-closes-amid-bird-flu-fears/story-30009414-detail/story.html

[mentalmilly]

I have not heard of any more flu deaths in the last few days, anyone heard when we can let our poultry out??

[harmony]

I have not heard of any more flu deaths in the last few days, anyone heard when we can let our poultry out??

The current Order is in place until the 6th of January so I wouldn't think we will hear anything before.