Ever since the mainstream sensitive eventually began letting the general populace cognise about theavian flu ( HPAI ) epidemic , my social media and email have been flooded with questions from supporter , family , and followers who raise poultry , know someone who does , or are just very concerned about how this epidemic will affect the birds and other beast in their area .
Many of these people portion out similar worries . So I ’m address the 10 doubtfulness I receive most frequently in the hopes of direct any concerns you as readers may have .
Should I Euthanize/Sell My Chickens?
There is utterly no need to get rid of your chicken flock because of HPAI . Domestic fowl can indeed press this illness from uncivilised birds . But you could take steps to help keep your chickens safe and healthy .
The US Department of Agriculture ’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ( APHIS ) provide plenty ofbiosecurity resourcesonline to avail you defend your flock .
Should I Kill Any Wild Birds I See in My Chicken Run?
TheFederal Migratory Bird Treaty Actspecifically prohibit the killing , capturing , merchandising , trading and transport of protected migratory shuttle species without prior authorization by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . This includes disturbing wild bird nests , collect feather and eggs , and much more .
Federal police apart , toss off wild birds in a personal manner that does not adversely affect your chicken is very unmanageable , not to observe time consuming . The best access — which is unluckily a costly one — is to forestall wild birds ’ access to your Gallus gallus runs . introduce your running with quarter - in net . The holes in any larger - gage ironware mesh topology may not prevent little birds from getting through .
Should I Allow My Flock to Free Range?
If godforsaken birds fell over or chew the fat your attribute , it ’s a strong possibility that wild - bird dung can be found in your yard .
Avian influenza is transmittedprimarily through the droppings , spit and other somatic secretions of infected birds . So it would be in your flock ’s estimable involvement to keep your chicken limit rather than chance infection via spare ranging .
Should I Allow My Pets to Roam Outdoors?
Many people wrote in concerned for their pets ’ health during this crisis . According to theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association , it is uncommon for dog and CAT to contract HPAI . But it is indeed potential , especially if they come in into verbatim contact with — or eat — an septic bird .
If you sense that your comrade animal may have contracted avian grippe , isolate your pet at once and reach your veterinary surgeon or yourstate vet .
Read more : HPAI could fall your community this year . Here ’s what to do .
Turkey/Duck Hunting Season Just Started. Should I Still Hunt?
Domestic turkeys are highly susceptible to avian influenza . Minnesota actually has had a surveillance computer programme for AI in domesticated bomb for years .
But HPAI has never been find inwild bomb .
Waterfowl , both domesticated and wild , seem to be immune to avian grippe , according to Dr. R.M. Fulton , DVM , a Diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians . Dr. Fulton notes that water bird may not become sick with avian flu but do serve as a reservoir for the disease .
If you opt to track down , avoid hunting waterfowl . And , to be secure , go forth your hunting dog at home .
I Found a Dead Bird in My Yard. What Should I Do?
Should you find a dead wild wench on your place , do not touch it . Mark its billet , then meet either yourstate veterinary , your land ’s veterinary diagnostic lab ( Google “ veterinary diagnostic science lab ” and your state ’s name ) , or the USDA at 866 - 536 - 7593 .
Make certain that your favourite rest inside until the dead bird has been collected for analysis .
My Neighbor Put out Bird Feeders. Should I Ask Him to Take Them Down?
This really depends on how well you get along with — and how close you populate to — your neighbor . If avian grippe has been confirmed in your area ( ie . , your county or town ) and you raise a backyard flock in a suburban setting ( 1/4 - Akka to 1/2 - acre lots ) , you may care to excuse to your neighbour that the wild bird gathering at their affluent model a health menace to your microflock .
Be aware that , even if your neighbor is amenable to your request , wild fowl being feed by someone in another part of town may still fell over your grand . If you live in a rural zone , with acres of land between homestead , your postulation might rear eyebrows or result in laugh … or worse .
Always bear in mind that you could only control what happens in your own yard ( or attempt to ) .
Read more : Biosecurity help keep hen healthy .
My Bluebirds Are Back! Can I Put out My Nestboxes?
As much as it pains me to say it , arrange out birdhouse of any kind during this avian influenza epidemic is not a good idea , especially if you keep chicken . Birdhouses call for wild birds to settle on your property for an protracted period . This means that there ’s an increased probability of fundamental interaction between your raspberry and the idle ones .
Additionally , some species of wild birds — bluebirds , wrens , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree swallows and menage sparrows — will struggle for nestboxes . House true sparrow will stamp out for it .
Given the 100 percent HPAI fatality rate rate for birds , birdhouses may very well turn into final resting places .
I Think My Chickens Are Sick. What Should I Do?
If your chickens exhibit diarrhea , signs of respiratory suffering or strange nervous reaction — or if you have constitute one or more of them dead — do not handle your birds or their feeders , waterers , nestboxes or egg . lead the full flock ( include the wimp that appear perfectly healthy ) as is and get hold of either your country veterinarian or your state ’s veterinary diagnostic .
If you are not followingbiosecuritymeasures ( designated wear and footwear for your domestic fowl areas ) , be sure to remove your shoe before accede your home . alter your clothing immediately and disinfect your hands . interpret that if one of your sick or beat birds tests prescribed for avian influenza , your entire flock may need to be euthanized .
Can I Catch HPAI From My Chickens/Wild Birds?
It is believe rare for avian influenza to cross over to humans . To date , there has beenno have it away vitrine of HPAI H5(the current mental strain ) in humans in the United States .
fit in to Dr. Fulton , in order for the disease to cover over to humanity , an HPAI strain has to have very specific receptors : alpha 2,3 sialosaccharide ( extremely rarified ) and alpha 2,6 sialosaccharide ( rare ) . Without these receptor present , HPAI can not track over .
Should a human manage to contract HPAI , the computer virus may make pinkeye ( pinkish eye ) and such seasonal grippe symptom such as fever , coughing , sneeze and muscle ache . The known and more dangerous cases of human HPAI H5 transmission in other countries lead from lineal physical contact with infected birds or call in / working at a unrecorded poultry marketplace .
In other words , as long as you drill right biosecurity and thoroughly moisten your hands after working with your flock or handle wild - dame feeders , your luck of contract HPAI are super small .
