[Rosemary]

A link to a general document on poultry biosecurity and how to minimisethe risk of infection on your premises.

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00492296.pdf

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Yea I heard about this on the news the other day. Thanks for that @Rosemary  I will take a look immediately!

[GillB]

Hi - Im seeking advice re avian flu - we have 7 assorted ducks and 4 pekins hens that roam freely on our retreat land and stream. They have an idyllic life. Have I now got to lock them in their run, and cover it over with mesh to keep all wild birds out?
Thanks - I live in north mid Wales
Gill

[angie]

Hi have a look at the bird flu topic, lot of information and advice,few links on it to
 

[in the hills]

Hi GillB, we are in MidWales. 

Spoke to our vet this morning. Yes, poultry must be separated from wild birds.

She said that from this weekend the general public were being asked by DEFRA to notify them of anyone not following the prevention measures. She wasn't sure what the consequences would be if you didn't comply.

[Eve]

Consequences of non-compliance: penalty of up to £5,000 and up to 3 months imprisonment per offence. It's on the Defra website.

The Defra order is very clear about what needs doing and that it applies to the whole of Great Britain. Yes, it sucks. Yes, the birds are miffed. But it has to be done in order for our birds to stand a better chance of more years of the idyllic life.

We all knew this was going to happen at some point and in a way, we're lucky: it's winter and at least our birds are asleep half of the time now. I'd have to buy many more cabagges in summer to keep them occupied in their runs   Just imagine having to lock them in throughout a summer...And hopefully this winter the foxes, not having access to poultry etc, will make a bigger dent in the rat population. I'm a glass half full kind of person...

[Rosemary]

She said that from this weekend the general public were being asked by DEFRA to notify them of anyone not following the prevention measures. She wasn't sure what the consequences would be if you didn't comply.

Oh that'll be great. Good move from Defra. 

[bloomer]

She said that from this weekend the general public were being asked by DEFRA to notify them of anyone not following the prevention measures. She wasn't sure what the consequences would be if you didn't comply.

Oh that'll be great. Good move from Defra. 

With my lovely neighbours that will be delightful...

[in the hills]

Mmmmm, they said that it was in an email that they received late yesterday.

Mine are in runs and under cover but I know that others locally aren't.

Will have to see what happens.

[northfifeduckling]

Hi GillB, we are in MidWales. 

Spoke to our vet this morning. Yes, poultry must be separated from wild birds.

She said that from this weekend the general public were being asked by DEFRA to notify them of anyone not following the prevention measures. She wasn't sure what the consequences would be if you didn't comply.

Sometimes it isn't that easy to follow instructions from one day to the next....we had to wait for the tarp to arrive for 3 days and have been working on an enclosure since. Our place is not set up for this as they've always been free ranging.....days are pretty short to get anything done and no help. Good OH is DIY minded at least....

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Hang on does this mean all birds in including my 6? :/ would defra come after me? Me having only 6 chickens and no waterfowl? Please tell me! My heart is racing and thats not like me! Mine are kept in runs until fencing can be sorted anyway, do I have to cover  over the runs?

[Hevxxx99]

 

Yes it includes you, or rather your 6. Cover the top of the runs and be sure feed and water are somewhere wild birds can't poop in it and you'll be fine.  Just a sheet of clear plastic will suffice.

[lord flynn]

Hang on does this mean all birds in including my 6? :/ would defra come after me? Me having only 6 chickens and no waterfowl? Please tell me! My heart is racing and thats not like me! Mine are kept in runs until fencing can be sorted anyway, do I have to cover  over the runs?

why would you be any different from  the rest of us? cover them up.

[in the hills]

Yes, WBF. Applies to all poultry keepers, even if you only keep a few.

Not sure how much action DEFRA would take at the moment. I have read £5000 fine is possible.

If they are already in runs can you cover in some way. It's to stop bird poo falling into the run. Also wire on run should be small enough not to let wild birds enter.

We still have some work to do on one of our runs. Try not to worry about it. Everyone is in the same situation. Just make a start.

[Marches Farmer]

Unfortunately disease isn't selective as to whether it's hitting a 50,000 bird broiler unit or 6 free-ranging pet Orpingtons.  In the French duck farm outbreak 40% of the birds died from H5N8, then the other 3000 were culled, so it's highly pathogenic.