ALL birds in Shropshire are to be housed from Monday (January 27) to protect them from bird flu.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency has said the whole of the Shropshire Council area will be subject to an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory housing and biosecurity measures for any kept birds.
It comes after a case of bird flu was confirmed at a poultry facility near Wem last week.
The new restriction applies to all pet birds, commercial flocks, and even those with just a few birds in a backyard flock.
The county is one of three new areas nationally where these restrictions will now apply.
Councillor Chris Schofield, cabinet member for planning and regulatory services said: “Shropshire is being added to the locations where these measures apply because we need everyone to work together to help prevent the spead of avian flu.
"I ask anyone involved in poultry farming in Shropshire to adhere strictly to make sure their birds are housed and they follow biosecurity measures to prevent any further spread.”
What do bird keepers have to do?
All bird keepers should remain vigilant and follow these housing and stringent biosecurity measures, in addition to following any protection/surveillance zone restrictions to prevent future outbreaks.
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone is already in force around the outbreak near Wem.
Flock keepers are being asked to look for any signs of diseases whilst ensuring good levels of biosecurity at their premises.
What are the signs of bird flu?
- Unusual quietness, decreased activity levels.
- Decreased levels of vocalisation.
- Decreased levels of feed and water consumption.
- Decreased egg production.
If you are concerned about the health of your animals, please seek advice from your vet.
Further advice
It is currently a legal requirement to register all flocks of birds in order that information can be sent to you. Registration of flocks can be completed by going to www.gov.uk/bird-flu
There are some simple measures poultry keepers should take to protect their birds against the threat of avian flu.
- Keep the area where birds live clean and tidy, control rats and mice and regularly clean and disinfect any hard surfaces.
- Keep chickens and turkeys completely separate from ducks and geese.
- Conduct regular maintenance checks on their sheds.
- Clean moss off the roofs, empty gutters and remove vegetation between sheds where birds are kept.
- Draw up contingency plans for storing bedding and dealing with pests.
- Place birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and remove any spilled feed regularly.
- Put fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed and limit their access to ponds or areas visited by wild waterfowl.
- Clean and disinfect footwear before and after entering premises where birds are kept.
Avian influenza is not air-borne, except over very short distances. It is spread by movement of infected birds or contact with respiratory secretions and in particular faeces, either directly or through contaminated objects, clothes and vehicles.
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