If there are any Sitters currently taking care of poultry, or Home Owners due to go away in the near future, then you should take steps to comply with today’s government announcement that, as from Monday 29 Nov, all poultry must be housed indoors and additional bio-security measures put in place. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, geese, quail, guinea fowl, any captive bird etc The regulations apply whether there are 1 or 500 birds. This applies to England, Scotland & Wales.
Bird flu – Latest situation: Chief Vet urges bird keepers to maintain scrupulous biosecurity standards as housing measures lifted - GOV.UK
Thank you @Margaret
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been in place across Great Britain since 3 November, and outbreaks have been recorded in places including Essex, Cheshire, Cumbria, Norfolk and Warwickshire.
The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have agreed to bring in new housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza following a number of confirmed cases across Great Britain in recent weeks.
The new housing measures, which will come into force on Monday 29 November, mean that it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the UK to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
Prof Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, said there was a very low risk to the public.
She said all owners should house their flocks and minimise contact with wild birds.
“The risk is always higher with winter migration after flocks of birds have mingled,” she said.
"Use really clean footwear and clothing when with your birds and minimise the number of people that have contact with them.
“Keep good rodent and pest control because they can carry the virus from dead birds”, she added.
Bird owners must follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of the disease.
The restrictions include pet birds and those kept for racing, breeding or exhibitions.
Further testing is also under way, said Defra.
Avian flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird, whether it is dead or alive.
I am wondering if TH might need to be more pro-active in sharing information on the requirements concerning Avian Flu? I am currently looking at a sit where the owner has hens and ducks in an enclosure - un-netted, as far as I can discern. This is contrary to the regulations put in place by DEFRA, which state that all birds must be housed or where that is not practical, in netted enclosures. I’m not entirely comfortable about taking on a sit where the animal housing provision is ostensibly illegal. The owner says she is “doing her best” in that the animals are now in an enclosure instead of free-range.
What does TH think? What do other sitters or owners think?
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Hi @Pearl. I can understand your concern about Avian Flu as it relates to the sit you’re looking at. I’ve asked membership services to reach out to you about it.
Thanks for the information