Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral infection that can affect birds such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl. The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is causing concern for backyard bird and poultry owners across the country. While the risk to human health remains low, it’s important to protect your backyard flock from this potentially devastating disease. Here are some steps you can take to safeguard the health of your birds:
How does bird flu spread?
Bird flu spreads easily among birds through direct contact with an infected bird’s saliva, nasal secretions and feces. It can also spread indirectly when healthy birds come in contact with surfaces contaminated with virus shed by sick birds. Wild migratory waterfowl are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses and can introduce low pathogenic strains to domestic flocks. From there, the virus can mutate into a more deadly, highly pathogenic form that spreads rapidly.
What are the signs of bird flu in backyard flocks?
Watch for these symptoms of avian influenza in your flock:
- Sudden increase in bird deaths
- Lethargy and lack of energy
- Decreased food and water consumption
- Ruffled feathers
- Swelling around the eyes, head and neck
- Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing, sneezing and labored breathing
- Lack of coordination or paralysis
- Diarrhea
- Sudden drop in egg production
- Soft or thin-shelled eggs
Report any unusual signs of illness or unexpected deaths to your veterinarian, cooperative extension office or state veterinarian right away. Early detection is critical to controlling the spread of bird flu.
How to protect your flock from avian influenza
Here are some key steps backyard bird owners can take to prevent bird flu from infecting your flock:
Keep wild birds away
Since wild waterfowl can carry avian influenza without appearing sick, it’s important to limit contact between your flock and wild birds. Follow these biosecurity measures:
- Use birds nets, poultry wire or a solid roof over outdoor enclosures to keep wild birds from landing, roosting or swimming nearby
- Cover ponds or water sources to prevent sharing with wild waterfowl
- Discourage congregation of wild birds nearby by removing bird feeders and birdbaths
- Install bird deterrents such as reflective tape, predator decoys or motion-activated sprinklers
Prevent contact with other domestic birds
Minimize the chance of bird flu spreading from an infected backyard or commercial flock by:
- Avoid visiting other poultry flocks or bird owners
- Prohibit visitors who also raise birds
- Isolate new birds for 30 days before introducing to your existing flock
- Avoid purchasing birds from markets with commingled species
Practice strict biosecurity
Implement these routine biosecurity measures:
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling birds
- Dedicate clothing and boots to wear only in the coop
- Clean and disinfect equipment and coop surfaces regularly
- Remove feces, old feed and wet litter promptly
- Establish barriers like fences or gravel strips at coop entrances
- Keep fence lines clear of vegetation that could harbor virus
Monitor your flock’s health daily
Watch your birds closely for any signs of illness and immediately isolate sick birds from the rest of the flock. Call your veterinarian if you notice:
- Increased mortality
- Decreased food and water intake
- Lethargy and decreased egg production
- Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, hocks
- Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
- Nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing
- Incoordination or diarrhea
Promptly testing sick birds or unexpected deaths will help control the spread of disease.
Know the warning signs of bird flu in your area
Pay close attention to alerts from agricultural authorities if HPAI is detected in wild birds or poultry flocks in your state or region. Increase biosecurity measures immediately and keep birds indoors if risk rises. Avoid moving birds or introducing new ones during an outbreak.
Should I vaccinate my flock?
Vaccines are available for some bird flu viruses, but they aren’t a standalone solution. Here’s what you need to know about vaccination:
- Vaccines help reduce illness and death losses but may not completely prevent infection or transmission
- Two doses are required initially, followed by annual revaccination
- Sentinel, or unvaccinated, birds are needed in the flock to monitor virus exposure
- Strict biosecurity must still be followed
- Routine surveillance testing will still be required
- Ask your veterinarian if vaccination is recommended for your flock
Work with your avian veterinarian to determine if vaccination is a suitable option for your particular situation. It should be considered one tool among a comprehensive disease prevention program.
How to safely handle and cook poultry products
Properly preparing and cooking poultry and eggs kills any viruses present and protects you against illness. Follow these tips when handling raw poultry:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching raw poultry
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw poultry
- Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F
- Wash hands, utensils and surfaces after working with raw poultry
Proper handling and cooking of poultry, eggs and meats reduces the risk of contracting any foodborne illnesses.
Can I eat eggs from my backyard flock during a bird flu outbreak?
Eggs from backyard flocks can still be safely consumed provided basic food safety precautions are followed:
- Collect eggs frequently, at least twice per day
- Discard any eggs that are dirty, cracked or leaking
- Thoroughly cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm
- Wash hands after gathering eggs
- Refrigerate eggs right after gathering
Proper handling, cleaning and cooking destroys any viruses and makes eggs safe to eat. However, sick birds should be tested immediately to identify the cause of illness. Isolate any suspect birds from the flock.
Can I use manure from my infected flock?
Avian influenza virus can survive for weeks in manure from infected birds. To safely use manure:
- Collect manure only from healthy birds showing no signs of illness
- Let manure compost for at least 30 days before applying to gardens
- Do not apply raw manure from sick birds onto fields or as fertilizer
- Wear gloves, wash hands and disinfect boots after handling manure
Proper composting procedures will inactivate the virus in manure from backyard flocks. Always monitor your birds closely and avoid using manure from any sick birds.
How to safely transport poultry to shows and exhibitions
Poultry shows, auctions and exhibitions pose a high risk of disease transmission. Avoid attending such events during an active bird flu outbreak in your area. If you must transport birds:
- Inspect birds for illness and get a health certificate from your veterinarian before transport
- Isolate and test any birds showing symptoms before travel
- Transport birds in clean, disinfected crates and vehicles
- Bring your own feed, supplies and cleaning tools
- Wash hands before and after handling birds
- Shower and change clothes and shoes after returning home
- Isolate and monitor birds closely for any signs of illness upon return
Careful adherence to biosecurity protocols before, during and after exhibition will help prevent disease spread. Avoid mixing birds from different flocks when possible.
Can I treat my birds with antibiotics if they get sick?
Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like bird flu. Do not treat birds with antibiotics unless prescribed by a veterinarian for a confirmed secondary bacterial infection. Using antibiotics when not needed can lead to antibiotic resistance.
If HPAI is suspected in your flock based on clinical signs, immediately report it to your state veterinarian and submit birds for diagnostic testing. Work with your vet to humanely euthanize severely sick birds if needed.
How will I know if bird flu is in my area?
Stay updated on the status of HPAI detections through these resources:
- State department of agriculture or animal health websites
- Backyard flock email lists and news alerts
- Social media groups for backyard poultry owners
- USDA’s avian influenza disease surveillance map
- Communication with your cooperative extension service or state veterinarian
- News about local quarantines or presumptive positive findings
Increased awareness and early detection are vital for containing outbreaks. Report sick birds promptly and comply with any quarantines or movement restrictions.
Should I report sick or dying birds?
Yes, immediately report any unusual signs of illness or unexpected deaths among your backyard flock to your:
- State veterinarian
- State poultry diagnostic lab
- Cooperative extension service
- Local agricultural authorities
Promptly submitting birds for diagnostic testing aids surveillance and containment efforts. Even if it turns out not to be HPAI, reporting helps track other emerging avian disease threats. Timely reporting and action by backyard flock owners is crucial.
Can bird flu spread to my pets or other livestock?
Avian influenza viruses primarily infect birds, but some strains can occasionally spread to mammals. Here is the potential for transmission:
| Animal | Susceptibility to Bird Flu |
|---|---|
| Dogs and cats | Low risk, but possible. Keep pets away from infected poultry and wild birds. |
| Pigs | Moderate risk. Isolate pigs from infected poultry flocks. |
| Horses | Extremely low risk of infection. |
| Cattle | Low risk, but can be infected. Avoid contact with sick poultry. |
The current H5N1 HPAI strain has not shown any ability to infect humans at this time. But monitor public health advisories for any updates on the zoonotic risk.
How can I safely restock my flock after an outbreak?
If your flock was infected and depopulated, follow these measures before acquiring new birds:
- Wait at least 90 days after onset of illness before restocking
- Conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises
- Completely remove and properly dispose of old feed, bedding and manure
- Stand empty for 30 days post-cleaning before bringing in new birds
- Obtain birds from NPIP-certified, AI-monitored sources
- Isolate and monitor new birds for 30 days before adding to a reconstituted flock
Work with your state veterinarian to ensure premises are safe for repopulation with healthy, unexposed birds. Expect continued surveillance once restocked.
Conclusion
Preventing highly pathogenic avian influenza from infecting backyard and commercial flocks requires constant vigilance. Practicing good biosecurity, monitoring bird health, limiting contact with wild birds, reporting illness quickly and complying with movement restrictions will help control this devastating poultry disease. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure when it comes to protecting backyard birds from virulent bird flu strains.
