Flockdown fundamentals

 

Egg shortages across the UK are making bird flu (Avian Influenza) headline news at the moment, as farmers condemn thousands of birds to death in a bid to control the outbreak.

Being cooped up indoors is as bad as it gets for our hens, who are being kept in their runs indefinitely in line with the government’s latest flockdown. It’s still upsetting to enforce though, as freedom to roam is a basic right we want to give back to our birds. Chickens are inquisitive souls who feel bored and trapped when stuck indoors, just like humans did during the Covid pandemic.

For anyone with birds, our advice is to provide plenty of enrichment such as ladder-style perches, platforms or even a homemade chicken swing! (Instructions at the bottom of this blog.)

If you'd like to help us make flockdown life easier for our hens, head on over to our sanctuary gift shop or donate now.

What is bird flu?

Bird flu is a virus that occurs naturally in wild aquatic birds and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. It can kill vulnerable domesticated bird species including chickens, ducks, and turkeys.

The virus is brought to the UK each year by wild birds migrating for the winter from their summer breeding grounds in the arctic. Migrating water birds, particularly ducks and geese, are usually seen as the main spreaders because they seem to be able to carry the infection without experiencing illness or death.

Since 2021 over 2,467 outbreaks of bird flu have been reported in poultry and 48 million birds have been culled in affected areas across 37 European countries, making this the biggest Avian Flu epidemic ever.

Declaring Avian Influenza Prevention Zones across the UK, meaning thousands of birds are being confined indoors, is the government’s attempt to control the outbreak.

What to do if you have birds

1. Keep your birds in an enclosed run. All bird keepers in England (whether you keep pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few backyard chickens) are required by law to keep birds indoors except in very specific circumstances

2. Keep an eye on government guidance. The comprehensive advice tells you how to spot bird flu, what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it

3. Register your birds, even if they're only pets. This means the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) can contact you if your area becomes high risk. This is a legal requirement if you have fifty or more birds

What happens next?

For anyone who has, or is about to re-home hens, complying with the regulations is very straightforward. It's a case of keeping an eye on daily developments and sticking to the flockdown rules

Although it doesn't usually infect people, there have been rare cases of humans infected with avian flu through the eyes, nose or mouth, or by inhalation. The risk of animal-to-human viruses is explored in the documentary The End of Medicine, produced by a team including Hollywood actor and animal rights activist Joaquin Phoenix. We're proud to have taken part in the filming and though the documentary is yet to be released worldwide, you can find out more here.