Tow Law poultry business' warning as bird flu prevention order continues

Margaret Manchester, of Durham Hens, is worried some people who keep chickens as pets are unaware that they are legally required to keep their birds housed until the end of the month.

The Government’s prevention order applies to poultry farms and backyard flocks across the UK and aims to stop the disease spreading by separating poultry and game from wild birds.

It follows outbreaks of H5N8 avian influenza in Suffolk, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire and Carmarthenshire this winter, with the most recent case confirmed at a poultry farm near Redgrave in Suffolk earlier this week.

Mrs Manchester, who has been selling laying, hybrid, pure and rare breed hens at Tow Law for nine years, is urging chicken keepers to take precautions but not to panic.

“There is no risk at all to humans from this particular strain of bird flu,” she said.

“My advice is to follow the guidelines and to look out for any changes in the restrictions. The risk is very low unless you live on the coast or near rivers where there are a more wild water birds.”

As well as being legally required to keep birds housed, poultry keepers should also reduce the risk of infection by practising good biosecurity. This includes removing wild bird droppings even when hens are indoors.

The prevention order has been in place since early December and runs until February 28, after which the Government will adopt a more targeted approach focusing on high risk areas.

For free range egg producers in such areas, an extension of the order could have serious financial consequences. This is because the birds will have been housed for more than 12 weeks and will lose their free range status under EU law.

Keeping free range hens indoors can also cause practical difficulties.

Mrs Manchester explained: “Hens which are used to being kept indoors don’t know any different but free range hens like ours are more active and need more to keep them occupied.

“We have put extra straw in for them to scratch around in and have hung things up for them to peck at.”

For the latest information about the restrictions, click here.

The website also provides further practical advice for backyard chicken keepers.

• What is bird flu?

Avian influenza is a disease affecting birds, such as chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese, with many different strains. The H5N8 strain of the disease has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK.

• What are the symptoms in birds to look out for?

According to a recent Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs report, one confirmed outbreak in January, among pheasants on a large gamebird premises in Wyre District, Lancashire, had birds with “depression, shivering, nervous signs, nystagmus, ataxia and diarrhoea”, and others suddenly dying. In one field of 5,000 birds, there was an estimated 60 per cent mortality over two days.

• Where has it been recently found in the UK?

The H5N8 strain of the disease has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Suffolk, three linked premises on a commercial game farm in Lancashire, three separate poultry farms in Lincolnshire and in backyard flocks in North Yorkshire and Carmarthenshire. Protection and Surveillance Zone restrictions remain in place in Redgrave, Suffolk Wyre, Lancashire, Boston, Lincolnshire and Surveillance Zone restrictions remain in place at East Lindsey, Lincolnshire.

• What should be done when an outbreak is suspected?

Bird flu is a notifiable disease in animals and you should report any suspected case to the Animal and Plant Health Agency, even if you're not sure. Call the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs helpline on 08459-335577 if you find five or more dead birds in the same place.

• What action has been undertaken?

A GB-wide Prevention Zone remains in place until the end of February 28th, at which time it will be reviewed and the effectiveness of the measures compared to the risk level will be considered. Within the Prevention Zone poultry keepers (including those of small or backyard, non-commercial flocks and captive birds) are required to keep a high level of biosecurity, to keep species separate, feed under a roof with commercial feed, provide clean drinking water and where practicable, to house birds.

• What is the risk to humans?

The majority of bird flu strains do not infect humans, but two strains, H5N1 and H7N9, have caused serious concerns for humans in recent years. The World Health Organisation confirmed by May 2015, 840 people had been infected with the H5N1 virus worldwide and 447 had died. Indonesia, Egypt and Vietnam have experienced most cases and fatalities. No humans have been infected with bird flu in the UK, although plans are in place to manage any suspected cases. Public Health England advises the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said there is no food safety risk for UK consumers.

• What are the symptoms in humans?

Early symptoms, which can come on suddenly, often include high temperatures, aching muscles, headaches, coughs or runny noses, vomiting and stomach and chest pain. The time from infection to the start of symptoms is usually three to five days.

• What is the treatment?

People with suspected symptoms of bird flu are advised to stay at home, or are cared for in hospital in isolation from other patients. The main recommendations are resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking medication to help treat fever and pain.