Bird flu is still rampant in the UK, in some areas more than in others, but it seems to be everywhere.
How to prepare yourself for bird flu infecting your bird collection?
• Keep paper and photographic records of your collection to be able to prove which species, genders and numbers are present. If you are unlucky enough to have infected birds and the time comes that DEFRA/AHPA visits you to eliminate the rest of the birds, you might be too overwhelmed by the situation to think about these things.
• Keep feed levels and drinkers topped up. When bird flu tests turn out positive, you won’t be able to enter the pens/aviaries to feed the birds.
• Keep rodents under control as they are likely to contribute to the spread of the disease.
• Try to have free space available to put healthy birds in quarantine, in case certain birds test positive.
• As an individual, pay attention to your own health and safety.
If you suspect your collection to be infected with bird flu:
• Inform DEFRA/AHPA immediately to help stop the spread of the disease.
• In addition, you will only get compensation for the birds that are still alive.
• Don’t let other people visit your collection and don’t visit other collections yourself.
• Put signage up at the entrance of your property, for example “No admittance – suspicion of bird flu”
When DEFRA/AHPA arrives after being notified of suspicion of bird flu, they have to give you a Keepers Assessment form to fill in. If not, please ask for the form.
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