Avian Influenza Risk (Bird Flu, H5N1)
Following news of several outbreak of Avian Influenza in the United Kingdom earlier this week, we are urging you to act now to protect your birds. Avian Influenza more commonly known as Bird Flu is a notifiable animal disease and occurs naturally among wild birds. Wild birds such as ducks migrating from mainland Europe during the winter period can spread the disease infecting domestic poultry, captive birds and different animal species.
If you keep poultry, whether commercially on a farm, pets in your garden, or rearing game birds, you should keep a close watch on them for signs of disease, and maintain good biosecurity at all times.
To ensure good biosecurity, all poultry keepers should:
- Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures
- Clean footwear before and after visiting birds using a Defra approved disinfectant like FAM30. We recommend using the Quill Boot Dip to ensure your footwear is clean at entrances and exits.
- Control rats and mice with either traps or poison. We recommend The Quill 150 Spring Trap & Box and/or Sapphire Force 25 3KG Blocks
- Place bird food/water in fully enclosed areas protected from wild birds
- Keep your birds separate from wildlife and wild waterfowl by putting suitable fencing around outdoor areas they access, we recommend the Partridge Netting.
How to spot Avian Influenza?
- Swollen head
- Blue discolouration of neck and throat
- Loss of appetite
- Respiratory distress such a s gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling
- Diarrhoea
- Fewer eggs laid
- Increased mortality
If you have any concerns about the health of your poultry, seek prompt advice from your vet or if you suspect any type of bird flu in poultry you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 30.
If you have any questions, or would like to know more about our products and how we can help you, please get in touch.