Keep backyard flocks safe from avian flu

Thu., Jan. 22, 2015

If you don’t know anyone that has been leveled by the flu bug going around, just wait. This flu season is proving to be a tough one.

But humans aren’t the only critters getting the flu right now. There has been an outbreak of avian influenza in several flocks of backyard chickens in the Northwest. The closest occurrence – at the moment – was in the Tri-Cities just after the first of the year. It is a serious problem for our commercial chicken and egg producers. The usual result is elimination of the flocks.

Avian flu is carried by wild waterfowl and their droppings as they migrate. Controlling contact between your flock and wild birds is important. So here’s a few things all you backyard chicken keepers need to consider to reduce the potential of your flock acquiring avian flu.

• Keep your chickens indoors for the time being. Fortunately with the cold weather most birds are more than happy to stay in their house for now. Cover the top of your run with netting to keep wild birds from swooping in for a snack. Lightweight poultry netting is available at most garden and hardware stores. Keep things clean. Remove bedding regularly, clean water and food pans and, if the weather permits, clean the pen.

• Always approach your birds in clean clothes and shoes and wash your hands before going out to feed or collect eggs. If you take walks in or visit places where waterfowl are over wintering, wash your shoe soles with a 10 percent bleach solution when you come home. Many of our local parks are home to flocks of ducks and geese this time of year. Wipe off your dog’s paws before you turn him loose in the yard near the chickens.

• Limit access to your birds by other people. If you do allow them, they need to follow the same protocols you are using: clean shoes and clothes and washed hands. As we get into chick season or you acquire new adult hens, be careful to isolate new arrivals for a couple of weeks so they don’t pass on disease to your flock.

Symptoms of avian flu in flocks of chickens, ducks or turkeys can include respiratory issues, coughing or sneezing, lower egg production, decreased appetite and swelling on combs or waddles or there may be no symptoms at all. The first sign might simply be the appearance of dead birds and it can easily kill more than 90 percent of a flock in a little more than 48 hours.

If your flock begins to show signs of illness or death, it is critical to report any suspect cases of avian flu to help protect other flocks around you. Deaths or illnesses in domestic birds should be reported to the WSDA Avian Health Program at (800) 606-3056. For wild birds, call the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at (800) 606-8768. For more information about the quarantine, go to www.agr.wa.gov/ lawsrules/rulemaking.

Pat Munts is the co-author of “Northwest Gardener’s Handbook.” She and co-author Susan Mulvihill are available for talks on gardening in the Northwest. Munts can be reached at pat@ inlnadnwgardening.com.