Page 25 - ALG Issue 2 2022

• Has one of your hens temporarily left the flock for a while?
• Has a fellow hen keeper visited your flock?
• Do you have more than one flock?
• Have you borrowed another keeper’s supplies recently?
All of the above pose risks to bio- security, where viruses can be brought into your flock. The best way to limit risks are to keep new hens separate for at least 30 days before introducing them to the rest of your flock or keep ‘closed’ flocks and be mindful of sanitising
your hands and disinfecting footwear
in a ‘foot/boot dip’ before and after entering enclosures. You can also limit the interaction your chickens have with other hen keepers and invest in your own supplies rather than using those
of others.
Lastly (and I know none of us likes to think of it), in the event of a hen death, dispose in accordance with local policies.
AVIAN FLU
Often fatal, there are many signs that you should be aware of, including
but not limited to: tremors, closed/ excessively watery eyes, lethargy, loss of appetite and water consumption, incoordination, discoloured combs/ wattles, respiratory problems, and changes to egg production. Always seek advice from a vet if you are concerned.
The best ways to prevent against avian flu are to keep your hens well-housed in ventilated, regularly cleaned and appropriately sized spaces, and to separate them from wild birds with mesh that can’t easily be flown through. You could place deterrents to wild birds around the enclosure, such as bird scarers.
It is advisable to register your flock at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ animal-and-plant-health-agency
See the gov.uk website for the most up to date information and advice.
Photo Credit: Jodie Neely
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener 25