|
|
Post by Shirls on Dec 7, 2016 15:28:17 GMT
Particularly for starlingqueen, in case you haven't seen this, and for all other chicken/fowl keepers in the U.K. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38231416I free range my chooks, not sure if you do the same through the winter Wendy, but just in case you do, I thought you ought to be aware. I have shut mine in their run now and will keep them in for 30 days, heaven knows what happens after 30 days, presumably the virus dies. We will have to keep a look out on news updates from Defra. |
|
|
|
Post by suesbird on Dec 7, 2016 15:33:57 GMT
Gosh Shirls, hope everything stays ok for you and the fluffy bums and everyone else too.
|
|
|
|
Post by OP on Dec 7, 2016 16:31:54 GMT
Never a dull moment eh!. Let's hope they all stay well. Apparently it's the wild birds that spread the virus, ad I understand it. I've no idea about the 30 days.
|
|
|
|
Post by starlingqueen on Dec 7, 2016 18:26:45 GMT
Just came to warn you Shirls. Saw it on the news. I cleaned mine out today and they were free ranging, hopefully they will be OK, I'm sure they will. No more wandering about for them. |
|
|
|
Post by OP on Dec 7, 2016 18:42:35 GMT
Just seen a bit on Auntie Beeb. The poultry should be kept indoors for around 30 days. This was a turkey farmer speaking.  |
|
|
|
Post by jellybean on Dec 7, 2016 19:05:34 GMT
I hope everyone's chooks will be safe and sound.
|
|
Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator 
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,918 
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Dec 7, 2016 19:37:56 GMT
I hope they'll all be safe too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Dec 7, 2016 20:29:31 GMT
It sounds like the Department was on to it right enough. Hopefully all backyard chooks will stay safe and healthy. Fingers crossed for you both, Shirls and SQ.
|
|
|
|
Post by starlingqueen on Dec 7, 2016 23:11:27 GMT
Just found this on the government site. Backyard flocks
The Prevention Zones requires all poultry and captive birds, including backyard flocks and other captive birds, to be housed or, where it is not practicable to do so, requires steps to be taken to keep them separate from wild birds. If you keep your birds near your home, consider housing them in alternative accommodation, such as a garden building, a garage or redundant building that could be adapted to house your birds temporarily.
Remember to check for, and remove, hazardous and toxic substances such as rat bait, and make sure the birds have access to water and somewhere to perch. You must also practice good biosecurity - for example disinfecting footwear and equipment and washing clothing after contact with birds.
Do you think a covered run with wire sides is good enough? I go in my chook run at least 3 times a day, how on earth do I wash my clothing every time?
|
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Dec 8, 2016 1:38:33 GMT
I would imagine that the worst threat would come from above; is there anything you can use to put over the top as a roof, such as a water-proof sail, tarpaulin etc?? If it came down over the sides, that wouldn't hurt either.
Is this a huge threat, or just them being careful because it has been found on main-land Europe? Being winter, would all the migratory birds have already done so, or are they still moving??
|
|
|
|
Post by starlingqueen on Dec 8, 2016 11:09:28 GMT
I would imagine that the worst threat would come from above; is there anything you can use to put over the top as a roof, such as a water-proof sail, tarpaulin etc?? If it came down over the sides, that wouldn't hurt either. Is this a huge threat, or just them being careful because it has been found on main-land Europe? Being winter, would all the migratory birds have already done so, or are they still moving?? We have a roof on it, our old conservatory roof. But it collects water and the wild birds drink and bathe in it, the water runs through into the chook run in places. I think the migration will be finished but it is very mild here so there may have been some delay and the re is always the incubation period of the virus, some may have brought it with them. Who knows eh? We'll just have to wait and see. Save |
|
|
|
Post by Shirls on Dec 8, 2016 12:21:11 GMT
Mine is a covered run too starlingqueen. The problem is our native birds are going where the migratory birds go so 'cross contaminate' so to speak. Fingers crossed though aye. It is an absolute nightmare. As long as birds or vermin for that matter can't get through the mesh sides - that would be a problem. I have got a big plastic tubby which I have a Jeyes/water mix in to do my boots each time. I dunk them at the back door to walk across and go into the run, then dunk them when I get back to the house. As you said I also visit the run 3 or 4 times a day. Am cutting that down now. As far as keep washing clothes is concerned I don't think that really applies to us Wendy. I would think the big fowl farm farmers have overalls which they can put on and take off and they are more likely to get splashed with whatever. I have just had 12.5 Kg of wild bird mix delivered for the wild birds!!! Ending on a positive note, I really don't think this will affect us much as long as we take the disinfectant precautions on our footwear. Fingers crossed though aye? |
|
|
|
Post by Shirls on Dec 8, 2016 12:22:31 GMT
Another note: I heard it said that the virus hasn't hit the U.K. yet.  |
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Dec 9, 2016 0:18:43 GMT
That's what I had read, as well, Shirls. It is much better for Defra to be proactive rather than reactive, and hopefully all your efforts will have not be required, but so much better to be cautious. We don't want any fluffy-bums getting sick.  |
|
|
|
Post by OP on Dec 9, 2016 7:59:44 GMT
Now that begs a question. Although it is known to affect poultry the most. If say Shirls chooks did get the flu could it then be transferred to the buds? I'm not contemplating that happening, but could it?
|
|
