Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: joyfull on December 03, 2020, 18:33

Title: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: joyfull on December 03, 2020, 18:33
Update 19/12/2020.
This bird flu has now been found in some backyard chickens in North Yorkshire.
Please, please make sure that you have got your birds undercover and that wild birds do not have access to them and their space.  Failure to follow the rules means you are not only risking the lives of your own birds but those in your area because there will be exclusion zones put in place around you if yours catch it.
This flu is highly contagious.

As of 14th December all birds, in England, Scotland and Wales must be kept indoors to prevent further spreading of avian flu which Mum of Stig mentioned recently.
Further details can be found here
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zone-declared
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: Aunt Sally on December 03, 2020, 18:55
Thanks for that information Joyfull. Wonderful to see you here again   :D
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: grinling on December 04, 2020, 19:46
Sooty looked at the snow and stayed under the nest box  :D
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: DanielCoffey on December 19, 2020, 21:54
Is there any advice you can offer on how to approach owners who are not following the order and still allowing their birds to free range?

We are in a rural area and a nearby property has about 10 hens that are still fully free range in the road and surrounding woodland. I am not an owner myself and I don't know how to approach the occupants of the property without causing offense. I don't want to come across as interfering as I don't know the occupants at all.

I suspect they may have a nighttime coop and free range during the day without a covered enclosure as I cannot see enough caged space on the property for that many birds.

Any advice (or official contact numbers in Scotland to chat to about the issue)?
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: New shoot on December 20, 2020, 08:18
It is possible that your neighbours do not know about the restrictions.  It has not been widely reported as other news has taken precedence.

There is contact info in the material published on the Scottish government site and UK one - link here :

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: Planner on December 30, 2020, 09:25
Further outbreaks confirmed in UK, now one in Devon.

Suggest all UK bird keepers register their flocks, no matter how small with APHA by this link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poultry-including-game-birds-registration-rules-and-forms
You will then receive text or email updates and advice on how to protect your birds.
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: snowdrops on December 30, 2020, 11:27
I had the plot nuisance ask me on Monday why I hadn’t had to take my birds inside  :wacko: . This following the council putting up a notice on the entrance gates about the restrictions . I was very quick to point out he obviously had no idea what he was talking about (didn’t add yet again) as my girls are in a weld mesh secure run with an onduline solid roof! I do wish he would just b@gger orf & leave me alone!
Not in reference to you Daniel at all, perhaps you could send them a copy of the guidance, as News says they might not know about it.
Not sure about registering my 5 girls, might open a can of worms.
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: New shoot on January 03, 2021, 09:25
Just seen this, which is a major cull due to bird flu.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-55517878

Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: joyfull on January 06, 2021, 11:09
This flu is affecting all areas of the UK, large and small places, the latest that I have been informed of is a backyard poultry keeper in Exmouth where  a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone has been put into place.
If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately to the Defra Rural Services Helpline -
England  03000 200 301
Wales  0300 303 8268
Scotland  you must contact your local Field Services Office.

If you see any dead water fowl (swans, ducks or geese) or other dead wild birds such as birds of prey and gulls then report them to the Defra helpline 03459 33 55 77 and select option 7.
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: greenjay on March 18, 2021, 20:24
I believe that the restrictions have been lifted. Any one else heard this?
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: mumofstig on March 19, 2021, 09:14
It all seems a bit confusing to me but the link is here for Wales.
https://gov.wales/lifting-zones-avian-influenza-wales
Title: Re: Bird flu, new national measures
Post by: joyfull on March 19, 2021, 17:18
At the end of the month the housing situation is changing but you still need to follow bio security procedures.  If a case occurred in your zone then you need to be prepared to put your birds back into undercover lockdown .

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu