A form of avian flu with a high potential to cause disease has appeared in the United States, and it is likely being spread by wild bird migration from the East Coast. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed an outbreak of avian flu at a commercial turkey farm in Indiana on February 8, 2022, as well as two other locations, a commercial chicken flock in Kentucky and a backyard flock of mixed-species birds in Virginia, on February 12.
The USDA is recommending that backyard chicken keepers take precautions against the disease to keep their flocks safe.
We have reached out to poultry vets, asking for their comments on the outbreak and their tips for backyard chicken keepers. Keep watching this blog, we will post their advice soon!!
Some Basic USDA Tips for Protecting Your Flock
This is just a summary, to get you started on protecting your birds. We recommend that you read the complete guidelines HERE.
- Keep germs away: Clean all surfaces and items that come into contact with your chickens, including the clothes, shoes, and hands of anyone who enters the coop.
- Limit visitors: People who come into your chicken coop and run can bring in the virus that causes HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) on their clothes, shoes, skin, and hair.
- Avoid wild birds and pests: Restrict where your chickens roam so they do not encounter other wild birds or rodents.
- Follow the plan: Post these rules by your chicken coop so that everyone knows what to do.
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