Do you have backyard chickens? If so, you may want to be on the lookout for suspicious activity. It is that time of year when Avian Influenza is starting to pick up again. Most of the cases seen so far this year have been in backyard chicken flocks. While migrating birds aid in spreading the disease, reports have shown that vultures have been spreading avian influenza. It is vital to monitor your chickens for any abnormal behavior.
Currently, there is no known cure for avian influenza. If you suspect it in your flock, it is important to contact your animal health officials immediately! If there is a positive case on your premises, your farm flock will have to be quarantined & eradicated. There are some practices that you can do to help keep your chances of getting it down.
One practice in keeping your flock safe is to monitor their location. It is a great idea to have your chickens in areas where vultures cannot have direct contact with them. Avoid places where you see vultures swarming or where you see them resting in trees or on the ground.
Practice good biosecurity habits like disinfecting your boots before entering areas and when leaving. Proper biosecurity will help to keep your chances of introducing new diseases to your flock down. Something else you can do is, wear plastic disposable boot covers and disposable suits when entering and exiting an area. Make sure to dispose of disposable coveralls and boot covers properly, and wash your hands thoroughly. Make sure to disinfect or change clothes & boots between flocks to ensure you are not cross-contaminating.
I found some great tips and tricks to help protect your poultry from Avian Influenza, from the USDA. You can click the link below to learn more.
