Bird Flu Update Nov 2020

The serious and notifiable disease H5N8 bird flu has been found in wild birds and kept flocks in the UK recently; so once again keepers of Game, Waterfowl and Poultry need to follow the latest government advice.

The Government web page that is regularly updated can be found here.

The ‘Biosecurity and preventing welfare impacts in poultry and captive birds advice document’ can be found here.

Biosecurity advice

If you keep poultry or other captive birds, you must take action to reduce the risk of disease in your flock by following government advice on biosecurity. This is especially relevant if your birds are located in a Higher Risk Area.

Good biosecurity improves the overall health and productivity of your flock by helping keep out poultry diseases such as avian influenza and limiting the spread of disease in an outbreak.

This applies just as much if you only have a few birds as pets, or if you have a large commercial flock. An outbreak of bird flu in back garden chickens results in the same restrictions on movement of birds. It has the same effect on farmers and trade in poultry as an outbreak on a commercial farm.

To ensure good biosecurity, all poultry keepers should:

• minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures
• clean footwear before and after visiting birds, using a Defra approved disinfectant at entrances and exits
• clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment that have come into contact with poultry
• keep areas where birds live clean and tidy, and regularly disinfect hard surfaces such as paths and walkways
• humanely control rats and mice
• place birds’ food and water in fully enclosed areas protected from wild birds, and remove any spilled feed regularly
• avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry species, where possible
• keep birds separate from wildlife and wild waterfowl by putting suitable fencing around outdoor areas they access
• keep a close watch on birds for any signs of disease and report any very sick birds or unexplained deaths to your vet

We supply a number of products that can help during this time. Firstly we have a range of DEFRA approved disinfectants in stock:

Virocid Disinfectant – 10 litres or 20 litres

Virocid offers at least two times more protection than other disinfectants, it also offers a wide application range for the daily disinfection of:

• animal houses and material
• animal transport and materials
• storage and processing rooms for feed and food transport
• boots and wheels via dipping baths

Interkokask – 10 litres

Interkokask is a veterinary disinfectant with a special formula which includes Chlorocresol, a lipid solvent that breaks through the protective triple outer protein/lipid/chitin layers found in many pathogens and parasites, including bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, fungi and protozoa such as Cryptosporidium and coccidial oocysts.

• Interkokask known not to be corrosive at recommended ready-to-use dilutions.
• Proven against coccidiocis, bacteria (salmonella), viruses (avian influenza), red mites, worms & more
• Can be used on all rearing equipment
• Can be applied by foaming lances, sprayer or knapsack

Fam 30 – 5 litres or 25 litres

• DEFRA approved disinfectant for Foot & Mouth, Swine Vesicular, Avian Influenza, TB & General Orders
• Cleans and disinfects in one.
• Active in the presence of organic matter (e.g. muck)
• Quickly kills bacteria, viruses and fungi.

It has also been advised that you keep the birds drinking water clean. We have two products in stock which sanitise the drinking water.

• CID Clean 
  • Removes slime deposits (biofilm)
  • Removes traces of medicaments & vitamins
  • Effective against bacteria, fungi and algae
• CID 2000 – CID 2000 has a triple action:
  1. Cleaning of the drinking system
  2. Removing both organic and inorganic (scale) dirt
  3. Optimising the pH-level of the drinking water

The government accepts that housing the birds indoors is not always possible, so practical measures are advised. Collins Nets stocks a large range of mesh netting which is commonly used as roof netting to cover outdoor pens. We also stock a range of galvanised wire netting and chicken wire which is ideal for the building of chicken runs, cages and pens.

This is the advice on netted structures:

• When using a netted structure, paying special attention to keeping wild birds from perching on the roof and defecating through it – for example you should consider using additional deterrent methods.
• 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.

Roof Netting – use the smaller mesh to keep out as many wild birds as possible.

• 19 mm Square Mesh – our smallest net size available – this will keep out all wild birds.
• 28 mm Square Mesh – commonly used as Partridge Pen roof netting
• 38 mm Square Mesh  – commonly used as roof netting for all Game Birds and Poultry

Shelterflex Waterproof Sheeting – can be used to create a waterproof roof or side to a pen

We have 3 sizes in stock:

• 1.1 metres x 45 metres
• 2 metres x 45 metres
• 3 metres x 45 metres

We hope this information helps. We are available to speak to on the phone Monday – Friday 7.30 am – 4.30 pm.

01308 485422