Protecting Your Backyard Chicken Flock from Avian Bird Flu

Avian flu (also called "Bird Flu" or "H5N1") is a strain of influenza that is passed through birds. It has been found in wild bird populations and in poultry, but has not yet spread to poultry populations in North America. In Southeast Asia, where it is thought to have originated, avian flu has resulted in the slaughter of millions of chickens to control the spread of the virus.

Backyard chicken owners are also rightly concerned about the virus both in avoiding contracting it and in the potential for the USDA to step in and mandate slaughter of backyard flocks if there is an outbreak of avian flu in the United States. In 2009, the government dropped the proposed NAIS, the National Animal Identification System, which was to require the registration of all livestock, even those belonging to urban backyard henhouses. This identification system would have meant that the USDA could contact you in the event of outbreak and require that you either vaccinate or slaughter your flock. The proposal was dropped after many small farmers complained about the onerous reporting requirements.

How do you keep your flock free of H5N1 Avian flu? Simple bio-security measures will ensure that your flock is not infected either from wild birds or from other poultry.

1. Maintain a closed flock.

This is your best security against contracting Avian flu in your hens. A closed flock means that you do not add any chickens to your flock except for newly-hatched chicks. Chickens of unknown origin might be carrying the virus and spread it to your flock. Also, protect your flock areas from visitors who have recently been on other farms. Theoretically, the H5N1 virus can spread from flock to flock on the bottoms of shoes. Have a stash of disposable plastic "booties" to put over visitors' shoes if there is a question about them being near other chickens recently.

2. Do not attract wild birds near your chickens.

The Avian flu is much more likely to be carried and spread through wild birds than chicken-to-chicken. Infected wild bird droppings in your chicken areas can spread the virus. If you have penned chickens, make sure there is netting over the tops of the pens to stop wild birds from entering. Also, remove all bird feeders and other wild bird attractions from the areas frequently by your flock to reduce contact to droppings. If you see a dead wild bird on your property, it is important to retrieve the bird and report the death to the CDC so that they can test for H5N1, West Nile Virus, and other diseases spread by birds.

3. Keep your flock healthy.

Sick birds are more likely to contract viruses they come in contact with and H5N1 is no different. Keeping your chickens well-fed and watered and giving them access to fresh greens and sunlight prevents viral incursion in the flock.

4. Sanitize henhouse footwear.

The shoes that you wear when you are in the henhouse every day should never leave the henhouse and certainly never be worn in the house. A pair of Crocs sandals works well as a slip on shoe and can be thoroughly washed and sanitized in a weak bleach solution regularly to prevent tracking pathogens around the property.