We always hope that Avian Influenza won’t pose too much of an issue for our pets but, while we aren’t suffering as much as in previous years, the need to stay vigilant remains.
There is currently an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in place across the whole of the UK, meaning hen keepers must adhere to enhanced biosecurity measures to keep their birds safe and apart from wild birds.
What do I have to do?
Hen keepers across the UK must:
- Regularly disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles
- Reduce the movement of people to and from areas where poultry are kept
- Carry our effective vermin control
- Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
- Keep disinfectant at the right concentration at all poultry housing entry and exit points
- Minimise contact between poultry and wild birds
- Prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas
Understandably, this may concern anyone keeping hens, but there are simple steps you can take so your hens stay happy.
Cleaning
Stock up on a Defra-approved disinfectant such as Virkon S and ensure you regularly disinfect hard surfaces as well as clean your footwear before and after visiting your hens.
Ensure also that you humanely control rats and mice by keeping your stock of hen feed in a secure container and clearing up any spillage around their feeders regularly.
Feeding
Wild birds carry the risk of Avian Influenza so it’s vital that your hens’ feed and water is kept in fully enclosed areas which can’t be accessed by them. As above, ensure any spillage is cleared up quickly so as not to attract wild birds.
Fencing
Another vital step in keep your hens separate from wild birds is to erect suitable fencing around the outdoor areas they access.
This is a legal requirement if you live within a mandatory housing zone, of which there are several in the UK at present, as well as using a suitable covering so droppings cannot enter their run. See our Avian Influenza page for an interactive map.
Register
It is also mandatory to have your hens registered with Defra so that you are kept abreast of disease outbreaks in your area and can therefore act accordingly.
Keeping your birds entertained
If your hens are feeling the strain of being contained, we’ve got some great boredom busters to keep them hentertained:
- Pecking blocks make great treats for your hens but give these in moderation.
- Straw bales offer a good nesting spot as well as scratching activity, but please don’t use hay as they may be tempted to eat it, and it could impact their crop.
- Grit in litter or on the ground is always great for scratching around
- Perches are useful for a spot of preening, daytime snoozing and socialising
- Coloured string hanging up so they can peck and tug it – this is great fun for hens!
- A dust bath can be made from a child’s sand pit, a plastic storage box, or a large litter tray. Use dry soil, sand, wood ash, diatomaceous earth, or ideally all these mixed together.
- A cabbage hung up – fresh veg is good for pecking at, but don’t overdo it otherwise you’ll upset the balance of their diet and of course, it can’t have come through your kitchen due to Defra regulations on household scraps. A cabbage that has been bought specifically for your hens and not seen the kitchen is fine.
For any other concerns around Avian Influenza please visit the Government website and / or contact Defra for support.
