How to Prevent Bird Flu and Stop It Spreading

All bird keepers should consider biosecurity and hygiene standards when it comes to their poultry. With the right practices and prevention, you’ll be able to protect your flock from serious diseases – like bird flu.

Bird flu (also known as avian flu or HPAI) is an infectious viral illness that predominantly spreads amongst birds. With recent strains found in Great Britain, all bird keepers must take the right measures to stop the virus from affecting their livestock.

Remember, if you suspect bird flu, you must report it. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. For more information on avian diseases, call one of our expert Health and Safety Consultants for free.

Now, let’s look at how to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading within your premises:

Register your birds

The first step you need to take is registering your birds. If you have:

• 50 or more poultry (or other captive birds): You must register them within one month after arriving at your premises. This is a legal requirement.
• Less than 50 birds (including pets): You don’t have to legally register them, but it’s ideal. (This helps local authorities with informing you about bird flu outbreaks in your area).

Restrict access to captive and wild birds

Keep your poultry separate from gatherings of anseriformes (ducks, geese, and swans). Unfortunately, these species don’t usually show bird flu symptoms, even if they had it. Meaning, they can quickly pass on symptoms to other birds, like chicken or turkeys.

Discourage contact from neighbouring and wild birds, too. They can directly (and indirectly) contaminate food/water supplies. Keep supplies in enclosed spaces and regularly change. Keep an eye out for unidentifiable feathers, faeces, and carcases.

Maintain your bird houses and sheds

Keeping your bird houses and sheds in good condition will help prevent contact and contamination from wild birds. Make sure your poultry houses are free from holes, leaks, and blockages. Remove moss from roofs, as wild birds often use them for nesting or roosting.

If your poultry aren’t housed, keep them in fenced or netted outdoor spaces. Use bird deterrents, like scarecrows, spike strips, and streamers, to keep wild birds away.

Control rodents and pests

Mice and rats are known to carry diseases on their fur or feet. Using DETRA-approved rodenticide will help control the spread of diseases. The same applies to pests. You need to make sure any rodenticides don’t cause harm to your poultry.

Other wild animals, like foxes, dogs, and cats, can also carry diseases on their fur and feet. Keep them away from food supplies, housing, and rearing spaces.

Keep a clean environment

Try to always keep a clean rearing environment for your birds. This means cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, equipment, and vehicles. You must only use DEFRA-approved disinfectants.

You must wear clean footwear, clothing, and overalls when entering individual bird housing. This includes having dedicated shoes and foot dips which shouldn’t be used outside of poultry houses.

Protect the welfare of your birds

As a bird keeper, you are solely responsible for the welfare of your poultry. This means ensuring they’re comfortable and calm whilst inside their living premises.

Too much contact from random people can cause them stress and anxiety – and even increase the risk of diseases spreading. Keep a record of the date, time, and purpose of anyone visiting your poultry.

Manage your bird numbers

Before buying new birds, check their health records for bringing them into your property. Keep them away from your original flock and speak to your vet about starting a monitoring programme.

Use separate housing and equipment to manage new birds. And if possible, have someone else handle them; or handle them last following proper procedures. Remember, if you end up with 50 birds or more, you must legally register them.

Keep records of vaccinations, injuries, and deaths

It’s important to keep all poultry documentation up to date. Keep records of:

• Any birds that die.
• Any movements of birds and eggs (on and off the premises).
• Your birds’ food and water consumption.
• How many eggs your birds produce.

Poultry and most captive birds cannot be vaccinated against bird flu. In fact, vaccination isn’t a routine measure to control disease. Zoo animals can be vaccinated, but this must be approved by the APHA.

Display biosecurity checklists and posters

If your premises is located within the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), you’ll need to complete a self-assessment checklist. This will help ensure you’re meeting the proper standards for protecting your flock from bird flu.

Representatives from the APHA or local authorities may inquire to check if you’re in an AIPZ. For example, they could conduct an inspection on your premises. From here, it’s best to display posters stating the risks of bird flu in or around your area.

Get expert advice on preventing bird flu with Peninsula

Bird flu is a seriously, infectious disease that can lead to the culling of entire poultry farms. If you suspect bird flu within your premises, you’re legally obligated to report it to the right authorities.

Peninsula offers expert advice on preventing bird flu. We offer 24-hour H&S advice – helping you minimise the spread of diseases and viruses in and around your livestock.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.