What are the symptoms of avian flu in poultry and how can you protect them?
Birds across the UK are going into lockdown.
All captive birds and poultry will be placed in lockdown across England because of the continued rise in Avian Flu cases.
From today (November 7), measures have been put into place by the UK’s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss which are designed to protect the birds from the deadly disease.
Middlemiss warned we are facing the largest-ever outbreak of the disease in commercial farms and in backyard birds.
If you keep chickens or you’re simply worried about how this will affect eggs and meat, here’s what you need to know.
Why does poultry need to be kept indoors from today?
From today, poultry – chickens, ducks, geese, and swans – need to be kept indoors to help prevent the outbreak of Avian Flu.
‘The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice,’ Christine Middlemiss said.
‘Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways, from wild birds remain the best form of defense.
‘Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from Monday, November 7 onwards you must keep yours indoors.’
There are four different strains of Avian Flu, but the two main ones we look at are highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the most serious strain, and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), a less dangerous form of the illness.
According to the Government website, you can use existing buildings to house birds, such as barns, farm sheds, outbuildings, garages, and garden sheds.
If you do not have a suitable building to house your birds, you must keep them in a fenced or netted outdoor area.
This can be a permanent or temporary area, but it must have solid walls and a roof.
Will I still be able to buy eggs and meat?
The good news is you can’t catch Avian Flu by eating fully-cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak of bird flu.
Proper cooking and handling of these products protects you from Avian Flu, as well as other common ailments such as E. Coli and Salmonella.
However, there are fears that Christmas turkey supplies could be hit by the UK’s largest outbreak of bird flu.
What are the symptoms of Avian Flu in birds?
Bird flu symptoms
The Government website says birds infected with the most serious strain of bird flu, HPAI, usually show some or all of the following symptoms:
- Sudden death
- Swollen head
- Closed and runny eyes
- Lethargy and depression
- Lying down and unresponsiveness
- Lack of coordination
- Eating less than usual
- Lethargy
- Sudden increase or decrease in water consumption
- Head and body shaking
- Drooping of the wings
- Dragging of legs
- Twisting of the head and neck
- Swelling and blue discolouration of comb and wattles
- Haemorrhages and redness on the shanks of the legs and under the skin of the neck
- Breathing difficulties such as gaping (mouth breathing), nasal snicking (coughing sound), sneezing, gurgling, or rattling
- Fever or noticeable increase in body temperature
- Discoloured or loose watery droppings
- A stop or significant drop in egg production
However, it is worth noting that some species of poultry such as ducks, geese, and swans can carry the avian influenza virus and spread it without showing any signs of illness.
This is also true of birds with LPAI.
How can you protect birds against Avian Flu?
Avian Flu is primarily spread through wild birds, so it is advised to keep your birds away from other kept birds and wild birds.
Geese and ducks can be asymptomatic when suffering from Avian Flu, so it is advised to keep them away from poultry such as chickens as they can spread the virus without you knowing.
To try and deter wild birds from coming near your poultry, you can use scarecrows, spike strips to stop perching, and foils or streamers.
Your birds’ food, water, housing, or equipment can be contaminated by direct or indirect contact, such as being exposed to bird feces.
Because of this, you should keep equipment in enclosed areas that wild birds cannot access.
It is also recommended to regularly change when you feed your poultry, as wild birds can learn routines and gather at the exact times you feed your birds in the hopes of some scraps.
What do you do if you suspect a bird has Avian Flu?
If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you must report it by calling:
- England: 03000 200 301
- Wales: 03003 038 268
- Scotland: Your local Field Services Office
If you do not report a suspected case, you are breaking the law.
You must call Defra if you find one or more dead birds of prey, three or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl, or five or more dead birds of any species.
It is not advised for you to pick up or handle any sick or dead birds until they have been examined.
MORE : Government orders poultry farms lockdown over ‘UK’s largest ever bird flu outbreak’
MORE : Fears of ‘severe shortages’ of Christmas turkeys over bird flu outbreak
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