Avian flu - Poultry keepers

Commercial Poultry Flocks

Anyone with 50 or more birds should add their flock to a national register. Smaller flocks can also be added on a voluntary basis. Poultry keepers are being informed about the disease and urged to look out for symptoms. Bird flu is a "notifiable" disease, which means farmers are obliged by law to report infected birds.

Register your flock via the registration helpline on 0800 634 1112 or online to make sure that you are kept up to date with the latest information from Defra.

Having your details on the Poultry Register will ensure that in the event of any suspect cases being declared in the local area you can be notified of necessary action and informed of any preventative measures. If you have further questions or would like help to fill in the Great Britain Poultry Register form, please contact the Poultry Register Helpline on 0800 634 1112.

 

Keepers of Small Poultry Flocks

Although large flocks need to be registered with Defra, there are many owners of small flocks in the county who may also need urgent information and help in the event of a disease outbreak. If you are a small poultry keeper we would like you to let us have your details so that we can can contact you quickly if necessary.

Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. You can can either call us at the KCC Contact Centre on 08458 247902 or alternatively email us with your name, address, contact telephone numbers and the number and type of birds you keep.

 

Disease Prevention

All poultry owners should maintain a high level of biosecurity to reduce the risk of introducing any disease into their birds. Keepers such as free-range farmers whose flocks normally live outdoors are being advised to make preparations to bring them under cover if necessary to protect them from infection by contact with wild birds or faeces.

Defra has updated its guidance and produced a leaflet on separating domestic birds from wild birds.

Copies of the the leaflet be ordered by email, fax, post or phone. Please quote the following details:

Product code: PB11504
Product title: Preparing for Avian Influenza - Separating domestic birds from wild birds

The leaflet is available in both English and Welsh versions from:

Defra Publications
Admail 6000
London, SW1A 2XX

Email: defra@forcegroup.com
Fax: 020 8957 5012

or by phone on: 08459 55 6000

More guidance material can be found on the Defra website.

 

How can you help protect poultry from avian flu?

Keep bird feed and any standing drinking water free from contamination by wild birds and other animals. This might mean feeding and watering undercover.

Look out for signs of disease. Visit the defra avian influenza webpage for disease facts.

Make sure your premises are clean. Spilled feed, litter and standing water attract wild birds and vermin.

To reduce the risk of infection try to keep your birds separate from wild birds, waterfowl, pets and other animals. The best solution is to keep the birds inside a building such as a barn or outhouse but where this is not possible an alternative such as a wire cage or other enclosure would reduce risk of infection. However, try to provide a cover so that faeces from wild birds can not reach your birds.

Keep visitors and their vehicles away from your birds as far as possible. If they must have access, make sure vehicles and equipment are clean.

Make sure your clothes, footwear and hands are clean, before and after contact with birds. Any essential visitors should do the same.

Avoid sharing equipment as this may spread diseases. If you do have to share, make sure it is cleansed and disinfected before and after use.

Use a disinfectant that is approved by Defra under the Diseases of Poultry Order - it will be stated on the label

Be vigilant when purchasing new stock. Use reputable sources. Isolate new birds and birds you have taken off your premises (for example, to a show).

If you suspect disease, act quickly and consult your vet. Avian influenza and Newcastle disease are notifiable diseases and must be reported to your local Divisional Veterinary Manager at Reigate Tel 01737 242242

 

What happens about infected British poultry?

Enforcement
Generally the restrictions apply to poultry reared or kept in captivity. If an infection is found in wild birds, as the law stands at present there would be no restrictions brought into force.

Where there is a confirmed infection in poultry (as defined above) the movement of animals, litter and vehicles from the infected farm or premises is prohibited and the premises and its vehicles cleaned and disinfected. Birds that are diseased, suspected of being diseased or which have been exposed to infection are slaughtered. Eggs are also be destroyed.

A 3km bio secure "protection zone" is set up around the infected premises for at least 21 days. A wider 10km "surveillance zone" is also set up, within which vets would visit those keeping birds and search for signs of bird flu. This zone will remain for at least 30 days. Poultry has to be kept within their living quarters and local poultry markets, fairs and shows banned. Movement of poultry, eggs or carcasses is prohibited in both zones (except by major highway through the zone).

 

Compensation

Farmers will be entitled to compensation for slaughtered birds found not to have been infected. Free-range farmers forced to bring their birds undercover to protect them from infection would be allowed to keep their free-range status for 12 weeks.