The Poultry Keeper

attila_the_hen-2 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

I bought 25m of 6 foot high twistmesh fencing (scats) and 4x8 foot fence posts (b&q).
So...now what?! The plan is to have a lockdown house inside the fencing (double layer of protection), but my plan is to sink the posts 2 foot into the ground, bury the wire about 1 foot and just staple the fence to the posts.
2 edges would be against paths (to avoid awkward mowing strips and reduce for burrowing problems) and the other two sides would have paving stones.
The gate would have a slat of wood on the outside for the gate to close against.
Thing is - are the laws of physics against me? Do I need wood along the topside of the "frame" too?
And I plan to build it round a tree so the chickens can have shade, but then again, that's going to make covering the top (to keep pidgeons etc out) harder. Any ideas?!? Thanks!

mojo · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:16 pm Post subject: fence

attila .a few thoughts..ignore tree to hard to enclose..make a door with wood frame all round then cover with wire....staple wire to wood use 14mm staples for good fix.....................suggest buy 4 more posts to make a firmer cage............. use skewers to hold wire into ground as you cover bottom flap.......dont forget you will need to cover this cage so try to make in square for ease of working.......good luck tell us how you get on.............mojo

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

When I covered my girls run with fruit cage netting ~ I had a couple of problems, which we overcame and I'm sure you could too if you want it to be round the tree. First the netting wasn't wide enough to do what I wanted, so I sewed it with a material band along the edge to get it wide enough. Next I had a tree in the run ~ not in the centre but there all the same. What we did was to fix the netting along one side and two half sides ~ so now the netting is up to the tree and half the run covered. Next I cut from the edge of the netting up to the centre of the tree (I wish I could put drawings on here it would be so much easier). So with half the run covered the rest of the mesh could be unrolled past the tree ~ with the tree at the top of the split. Then we stapled the mesh up onto the trunk of the tree and then I lashed the 2 sewn edges back together again with string for strength. I can't remember if I had to make the slit slightly rounded where the tree was going to be. I then pulled the mesh so that it was taut in all directions and then fixed all the sides securely with 2"x1" on top of the mesh on top of the run panels .
I hope that made sense and it really did work.
I also had a bush under the mesh which grew as tall through the mesh as was under it ~ but that's another story!

poultry poofs · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject:

My only concern would be the DEFRA regulations require a covered roof if you are thinking of the AI threat, having a tree in the centre would not make for ease of roofing.We have a totally netted run built for quail around a tree.The floor and sides are wire mesh to keep out rats and predators and the roof is nylon game netting which is fairly cheap and can be drawn into alsorts of awkward shapes to fit round obstacles like trees .Unfortunately this area will be out of use for the time any restrictions apply because of the fact its got no roof.
The simpler the shape the easier it is to construct,the other option is to build the structure and plant some small trees inside to add shade and interest.
rich

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Sorry, I'd forgotten that the runs were going to have to be covered soon

attila_the_hen-2 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Sorry, I don't have a link, but I thought that was what the ruling was. That we were going to have to take our poultry in at possibly 24 hours notice. Hence people trying to make arrangements in barns and sheds etc.
I'll try to find a link for you.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Here you go ~ http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/pdf/separating.pdf
I didn't read it all but it talks about it being required to put birds under cover if there is a case of the avian flu within 3km. However in France if you read the 11 page thread 'French news' you can see what they were instructed to do. I'm not sure if the link I've put up is old or whether it has been updated to come into line with the French directives.
Sorry I can't be more precise ~ not very computer literate at the best of times

attila_the_hen-2 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Attilla the hen,

There is nothing irresponsible about being ready for restrictions that have been implemented in the rest of Europe and no doubt will be here at the first case of AI. Whilst I agree no one should panic it is surely more irresponsible to be ill prepared as AI is so close to our shores.

Issy

attila_the_hen-2 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

I wouldn't say it was irresponsible to bear in mind possible restrictions, I was trying to point out that referring to official sources would probably be a better thing than misquotes, speculation and rumour!

jaydee67 · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:08 pm Post subject:

Members are giving the best advice we have been given. The following is quoted direct from a Defra leaflet. Along with the advice in France - EU advice, which we should also be expected to follow, it would seem to indicate that planning for the eventuality of keeping birds under cover (especially if planning a new build) would seem to be provident as it is likely these measures will be brought in in the near future. I am planning how to cover my run, if I was building a new one, a faeces proof cover would be one of my requirements, much easier to do it to begin with than have to go back and do it again.

Avian Influenza (or bird flu) is spreading internationally. All bird
keepers need to plan how they will protect their flocks from the fatal
strains of this disease if it reaches the United Kingdom.
One of the main ways in which the disease may be spread is by
contact between infected wild birds and domestic poultry. That is why,
if the disease is found in this country, you may be required by law
to house your birds indoors or otherwise isolate them from wild
birds. This is for the protection of your own flock and others.
If housing is not fully practicable, you will be required to take all
reasonable steps to minimise contact between your birds and wild
birds. You must also ensure that your birds do not have any contact
with poultry or captive birds on other holdings.
These are important disease control requirements. In the event
of an outbreak, if you cannot meet them, you may have to
reduce stock numbers through culling.
This leaflet therefore helps you find practical ways to meet your legal
obligations. You should read it if you keep poultry for commercial or
hobby purposes; if you keep ducks or geese; if you keep other captive
birds including raptors, and if you are involved in rearing game birds.
Please bear in mind that failure to comply with disease control
requirements could lead the relevant enforcement authority to bring
action against you.

Protecting your birds
As a keeper of birds, you are responsible for their welfare both now
and during an outbreak. The Government has already asked keepers
of birds to feed and water birds indoors and to remain vigilant for
disease risks.

What does the law require?
If there is an outbreak of an avian notifiable disease, all birds within at
least 3km of the infected holding are immediately required to be
housed or otherwise kept separate from wild birds while the outbreak is brought under control. The requirement could remain in force for
several weeks.
Even if you are not in the vicinity of an outbreak, the Government
may issue a temporary nationwide legal order for birds to be
housed indoors as far as is practicable if Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza (HPAI) is found. It might also do so as a preventive measure
if there is a significant risk of an outbreak. The order will be issued to
prevent spread of the disease while the source of the virus is identified
and immediate action is taken to control the outbreak.
A requirement to keep your birds separate from wild birds will also
apply to free range and organic producers. Under current legislation
this may mean that your produce cannot be marketed as free-range or
organic. However, the UK Government and industry representatives are
seeking a rapid resolution of this issue at EU level and will keep you
informed of progress.

Ways to protect your birds
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza can be spread through faecal
droppings from infected birds. Control of the disease depends on
minimising contact between potentially infected wild birds and
managed birds. Housing your birds indoors is the best way to achieve
this. For most keepers, a little prior planning should make it easier to
comply with the housing requirement.
If you are unable to house all your birds indoors, the aim should be to
minimise the chance of wild birds landing close to your birds, mingling
with them and contaminating their water and feed supply.
Housing
The first and best option is to house your birds and all practicable
steps should be taken to ensure that this happens. If your birds are
normally housed indoors this should not present major problems.
If you have concerns about possible loss of status, for example,
organic or free range, we recommend that you refer to the
responsible sector body.
3
• Keep your birds inside their existing houses. Ensure that any
openings are netted to prevent wild birds gaining access. 25mm
aperture net is recommended to keep out small birds.
If your birds have access outside you will have to plan alternative
housing. There are different housing options which can be considered
including:
• Making use of existing buildings (such as barns, sheds, outbuildings)
adapted for your birds. Ensure that any openings are netted to
prevent wild birds gaining access.
• Erecting a lean-to veranda on the side of existing houses.
• Erecting a new temporary structure to house birds. This may be a
building with solid walls and roof or a polytunnel. A polytunnel will
be suitable only in cooler weather.
If after considering these options they do not prove to be practical,
other steps you should take include:
• Erecting a net structure/shade house and ensuring that the netting
used is of a suitable size to keep out small birds; 25mm aperture is
recommended.
• Constructing temporary outdoor pens using straw bales and a
tarpaulin roof with bird-proof netted gaps for light and ventilation.
• If bad weather is likely to be a problem it may be necessary to erect
a windbreak around your bird-proof structure.
We recommend that you refer to commercial suppliers of anti-bird
netting for advice and further information on equipment.

attila_the_hen-2 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

Thanks for posting that - hopefully it clears things up for members who may not have been aware of this info and we can, as you say, stick with best advice and info, rather than panic and rumour.

jaydee67 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:48 am Post subject:

I think this board is doing very well at staying away from panicing and rumour. We are doing our best to keep away from the sensationalism and find facts and advice to inform each other, as well as trying to be prepared for any eventuality.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

That posting of what we should be doing Jaydee looked very familiar ~ pages 2-4 I think!