Are You Prepared?

The Bird Flu situation in late December last year really rocked fanciers’ worlds, no doubt affecting their breeding plans for 2017. And poultry keepers around the country were wondering why after several years without a problem it suddenly reared its ugly head again. It is cited as being due to ‘migrating birds’ but there has been a lot of migrating birds since 2005, seemingly without issue. One thing is certain - the fear in people’s minds won’t disappear easily, and it might take a while for confidence to return. There are, however, potential upsides, in that it has forced some people to reduce stock and focus on quality, and if the surge of interest in poultry is anything like it was in the years that followed the 2005 Bird Flu, then there is cause for optimism. While we hope there are no such outbreaks in the months to follow, we think it is important to be prepared, and spoke to some prominent fanciers to get their thoughts and feelings on the upcoming 2017 show season...

Keith Ashley:

Well, we are heading towards the back end of the year and rearing is in full swing, with hopes of a good showing season. However, thoughts of last year are still at the back of my mind when ‘fowl flu’ struck, bringing a lot of upset and misery to the poultry industry, and no more so than the many small flocks of pure breed birds that are kept by people who enjoy and devote their time to breeding and showing. So sadly, the fear of it coming back is always there, because when it does we are told that the birds have to be penned up: no free range, and away from contact with the wild birds as DEFRA has stated. And this is were the problems arise: where and how to house our birds and keep them in a healthy environment. And, as is the case with yours truly, the breed you keep may take a long time to mature and you are unable to sell or move on surplus birds. So as this seems to be ongoing I decided to keep my birds in a form of semi-intensive housing, by using solid, covered runs and small wire netting. I also used a roll of the fine mesh ‘windbreak screening’ and this keeps the winds off but lets rain through. This can easily be fastened to any wire netting and when the all clear has been given, can be taken down and used again if needed. Plus it helps to deter foxes, which is a bonus. I called as often as needed this year, to keep my stock at a more manageable level. This stops overcrowding, which can be a major issue (as proved with the commercial flocks), and keeping visitors to a bare minimum. I only allowed visitors if I knew they are coming from a clear area, as all my birds and pens are in a fenced compound, so as the new year emerged and other cases were reported I had a small foot bath with disinfectant by the gate.

Tom Newbould: