[macgro7]

Melton Market website finally announced "no poultry sales untill further notice"...
You know, for some people this is full time job!

[doganjo]

A backyard flock of chickens and ducks has been confirmed in Wales today.

[in the hills]

Oh blow!!!!!!  Or words to that effect! 

Guess they're not being given freedom anytime soon.

[Marches Farmer]

No official notification yet, just the zone around the affected premises.

[macgro7]

There was a sparrow inside my bantam coop today! No idea how it got there! Thought it was mouse proof!

[Rupert the bear]

Backyard Farm Pontyberem Carmarthenshire Wales UK
description
Bird flu has been confirmed in chickens and ducks in a backyard on a premises in Carmarthenshire in southwest Wales.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=51.819692926216334%2C-3.7996387998045975&hl=en&z=9&mid=1aNOepBDPUd0zdRnQE1UbSW8djsk
 

[Dans]

:-(

I've been holding out hope that it will be lifted soon but I think it's pretty unlikely now.

Anyone have any tips of something I can put on the ground in my chicken's run as it is getting muddy. I use wood shavings in the house.

And anything for geese as the polytunnel (weed proof fabric) is turning into a mud skating ring. Would straw be ok for them?

Dans

[big soft moose]

Backyard Farm Pontyberem Carmarthenshire Wales UK
description
Bird flu has been confirmed in chickens and ducks in a backyard on a premises in Carmarthenshire in southwest Wales.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=51.819692926216334%2C-3.7996387998045975&hl=en&z=9&mid=1aNOepBDPUd0zdRnQE1UbSW8djsk
 

Look how close it is to the wild dead duck - lets hope he wasnt following precautions  (as that would mean that precautions would still keep most peoples birds safe)

[twizzel]

:-(

I've been holding out hope that it will be lifted soon but I think it's pretty unlikely now.

Anyone have any tips of something I can put on the ground in my chicken's run as it is getting muddy. I use wood shavings in the house.

And anything for geese as the polytunnel (weed proof fabric) is turning into a mud skating ring. Would straw be ok for them?

Dans

Try woodchip in both- if you can't get hold in bulk then you could use easibed but it would be expensive

[mab]

oh well, will just have to start buying eggs again - unless they come back into lay once they get used to the polytunnel 


will chickens eat hay in lieu of grass I wonder...

[Eve]

will chickens eat hay in lieu of grass I wonder...

I wouldn't give it to them, all those long strands may cause a crop problem the way long fresh grass can? Not certain but am just wary of it. 

[Fleecewife]

Dans, I would use straw in the tunnel as you can then compost it and dig it in.  Have you thought of taking up the weed suppressing fabric while the geese are in there, so their droppings can fertilise the ground.  They will eat any weeds that come through.


Mab I agree about not trying to feed hay to hens.  They have no way to break up long strands.  Mine are now about 2/3rds of the way through a giant cabbage, although they won't touch the sprouts and kale. Soon chickweed will start to grow and they love that.

[Dans]

I'm a little terrified of them on the bare ground as it is really sticky clay. Areas where we have removed the weedproof fabric (the last people used it everywhere) are unpassavle at the moment. One quick walk through and your wellies triple in weight.

I'll give the straw a go for the geese, bought loads as seating for my daughter'started birthday as seating. I think I might use the shavings for the chickens as the run isn't huge and they have already dragged a lot of the contents of the house out there!

Thanks guys.

Dans

[mab]

Thanks for the warnings re: hay - I'd supposed they'd just pick the ends off like they would with long grass - but best to be safe.


Interesting that yours won't touch Kale FW - I had some delaware (or is it delaway? - can't remember) in the polytunnel that was rampant - 'til the hens went in    .

[in the hills]

Out of interest, which other mammals are deemed susceptible to Avian flu.?

Pigs or other mammals susceptible to Avian flu cannot be moved out of the Protection or Surveillance Zones.

Not sure which species this would include.