[Penninehillbilly]

I suppose ducks dabble in anything,  hens and geese are more fastidious, I've noticed if feed lands on poultry dung H&G don't eat it .

[Dans]

I have to admit I got out my virkon tub to make up a foot bath and got scared by all the warnings on it and lack of instructions.

I hadn't thought of covering the foot bath to keep the cats clear of it. Will get that set up first thing tomorrow.

[member=4333]Fleecewife[/member] I've no idea about feeding out of date seeds. The worrier in me would worry if they have been preserved at all with anything. I give all the goose food in water though.


Dans

[Herdygirl]

What do you use in yout footdip please Herdygirl?

Sorry Davidand Collette for late reply - am using jeyes fluid - I change it every day

[Daisys Mum]

What do you use in yout footdip please Herdygirl?

Sorry Davidand Collette for late reply - am using jeyes fluid - I change it every day

I am using Sorgene and I must admit it's scary stuff I put it in big buckets with lids, it's a bit of a pain as its really hard to get the lids off them but I have free ranging pygmys.

[Marches Farmer]

Yes, would be useful to know whether or not these affected flocks were housed.

The film that accompanied the announcement about the outbreak in Carmarthenshire showed vans pulling into the drive in front of a sizeable stone farmhouse-type property with the big, new Keep Out gates generally put in by folks who have just moved to the countryside because they no longer want to live in a city.

[in the hills]

I read somewhere (but can't find it now ) about a DEFRA approved disinfectant that can be diluted and stay fresh for quite a long time in a spray bottle.

Anyone know what it is likely to be?

Would it be sufficient to spray the bottom of wellies before entering the chicken run? Reluctant to use footbath as I can't think of a way of keeping sheep and cats out of it.

Not sure how far to go in terms of bio security, especially seeing that most chickens around here are still out and about. And guessing the dogs and cats could carry the virus back here on their paws anyway. We are surrounded by thousands of pheasants so there is a wonderful viral pool potentially.

Any thoughts?

[Fleecewife]

I have to admit I got out my virkon tub to make up a foot bath and got scared by all the warnings on it and lack of instructions.

I hadn't thought of covering the foot bath to keep the cats clear of it. Will get that set up first thing tomorrow.

[member=4333]Fleecewife[/member] I've no idea about feeding out of date seeds. The worrier in me would worry if they have been preserved at all with anything. I give all the goose food in water though.


Dans

Thanks Dans    All seeds are organic untreated so OK for chemicals.  It's too late anyway because they've eaten them   They were very excited, so I'll try split peas too.

[Hevxxx99]

I know this is American, but I doubt the virus cares and it may be helpful.  Mild bleach solution won't harm cats etc.

https://poultry.usu.edu/files/036_AG_Poultry_2015-01pr.pdf

[lord flynn]

Backyard  flock, chickens and ducks. Settle

I wish they would tell you how these birds were kept.

why out of interest? Housing birds isn't ever going to be failsafe, its about minimising risk.

[Penninehillbilly]

I wish they would tell you how these birds were kept.
[/quote]


why out of interest? Housing birds isn't ever going to be failsafe, its about minimising risk.
[/quote]

But it would be interesting to know if they WERE inside? Would the owner admit they were out anyway?

[ColinS]

Still so many hens free ranging in this part of Wales.

Well, the publicity has not exactly been high-profile. I had a visitor last week from the Deep South and he has a few back-yard hens and knew nothing about the housing requirement. OK, he is a busy bloke so perhaps he is less likely than others to catch the news but given that the BBC website is only putting the H5N8 news items on the associated regional pages such as England/Lincolnshire or Wales/South West Wales you need to already know the news before you can find anything. And when I emailed them about this it bounced with a recipient in-box full error.

[macgro7]

BBC radio Leicester first mentioned bird flu... yesterday!

[mentalmilly]

I have just heard about an outbreak of flu in Yorkshire.  Also been told about the outbreak in Carmarthenshire , the flock was free ranging and not contained. Don't know if this is true.

[Daisys Mum]

I have just heard about an outbreak of flu in Yorkshire.  Also been told about the outbreak in Carmarthenshire , the flock was free ranging and not contained. Don't know if this is true.

According to social media the Welsh flock didn't have bird flu but the owner had found a dead bird close to where her flock were still free rangin. Now before anyone jumps down my throat I am simply repeating Facebook gossip 

[lord flynn]

But it would be interesting to know if they WERE inside? Would the owner admit they were out anyway?

why though? if they were in would you decide to then chuck your birds back out? If they were out how would you feel and what would you do?