The Poultry Keeper

nigel · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:40 am Post subject:

I am concerned, but don't know what to do. Mine would go crazy if I tried to keep them inside. The only place vaguely big enough is the polytunnel. I wouldn't trust Defra not to cull any birds if AI was found locally. I think this is in the lap of the gods. I'm hoping for the best, but in many ways preparing for the worst.

NannyP · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:53 am Post subject:

It feels slightly unreal for me at the moment, and I did see the news last night. It's just odd sitting here, in France, away from my flock, so slightly protected (in my head anyway).
I think, as Nigel says, that culling will be what happens, and I'm not sure that having brought birds in now will be enough, how can anybody prove how well they've protected their birds.

I feel sorry for you both Debs and Suz, as it sounds inevitable that your flock will have to go, with all those migratory routes around you. We have Canada geese locally, so not sure how we will stand. I heard lastnight, it's the migratory birds from Russia that are currently the problem and they rarely come here?
I guess we'll have to watch and wait and hope Confused

Knobby · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:45 am Post subject:

Theres nothing I can do ! Just gonna have to wait and see....I cant spend all day outside shooting all birds that go near my flock..... Sad

Lisa · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:14 am Post subject:

I've been reading about it on other forums and, in a worst case scenario, I'm feeling rather resigned to it being totally out of my hands... that's IF it comes here (some other threads think the threat is being hyped up by the media and I have no idea which is true).

Here in Milton Keynes we have lots of lakes and waterways (one reason I like it - loads of lovely places to walk the dogs). We're just minutes walk away from one of them and there are always loads of various waterfowl about there. I think if the worst happens and AI comes to this country this would be an ideal place for it to spread.

And I can imagine, given the obvious and immediate threat to human health with AI, the powers that be would be more ruthless this time than they were with F&MD or BSE.

I *could* keep my birds undercover if need be - I've certainly thought through what my options would be. But I've mentally accepted that if it comes here there is a very real possiblity that my chooks would have to be part of an official cull by the men in white coats, ill or not, undercover or not.

For me though, if it does come here, the more scary thought is how we're going to look after our own health Shocked

Other threads:

Practical Poultry

River Cottage

Downsizer

http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Chickens&cat=Chicken%20Health&sub=Avian%20Influenza%20(bird%20flu)

(The Omlet link above needs the bracketed bit included in the link, but I can't seem to make it work Rolling Eyes

)

stephen · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

http://users.plus.net/QL:E9206BC8

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

I think the same as everyone else is saying ~ it really doesn't matter how well you look after your flocks, keeping them in, having discinfectant baths before entering their areas etc ~ if there is one outbreak in the area, then all the birds will be culled.
I'm fortunate in that I did get that new shed and there is room in there for all the girls ~ however it would make me very sad to see them in that small area when they are used to free ranging.
I supposes the one good point is that winter is coming and if I have to keep the girls in I would rather do it when it is cold and wet outside than when it is hot and sunny.
I really feel for those of you who are in more vulnerable areas, sorry

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Would they really resort to a mass culling? Gosh that seems soooooo extreme!

nigel · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:17 pm Post subject:

They did with BSE and Foot and Mouth, I can't see this being any different. I can protect my girls, but if anything locally is infected everything within an exclusion zone would be culled.

We do not have to register with Defra, but I have no doubt that several of our 'neighbours' would report us, especially the way the press is hyping things up here.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

After spending the last hour on the bbc site, I have found out that I am just as much at risk as you.....I am in an area the houses the largest flocks of migratory birds from Russia and the northern hemisphere.

Come fall there with be millions of snow geese, canadian geese, bald eagles, ducks, and all of the other winged creatures, living in our marsh area....about 10 miles from my house as the crow flies.

Check out information on the lower Klamath Lake area if you don't believe me. http://www.sova.org/KLM/wildlife.htm

Looks like we are all in this together. Sad

NannyP · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject:

Deb, I think you're more at risk, as the birds tend to come your way, not ours, as I understand it Confused

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Just found this off the net...looks like my area might be spared.

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

I think from what people say the flocks migrate east so shouldn't come this way to the UK. And if I had really thought this out I think most birds do that ~ you only have to look at swifts and swallows, they migrate east through to Africa. However (and geography isn't my strong point) on another forum someone was saying that on a recent news bulletin there was a confirmed case in Finland ~ that's not east of Russia is it? But if you take it a stage further, these birds seem as if a lot of them migrate to Africa, so do our swifts and swallows, but in spring they come back here........ probably having been in contact with the birds that could be the carriers
But as we are saying, if there is a certified case in a locality then everything will be culled, no matter how vigilant you have been with your flock. Mr Blair is known for his "knee jerk" reactions to events this will be no different.

stephen · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:52 am Post subject:

When Nigel and I were talking about it the biggest problem we see is the swans. They do migrate to the UK from Siberia for the winter.

Lisa · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:23 am Post subject:

Seems like the latest from DEFRA is "don't panic"