Avian Flu

Where possible, the best approach may be to keep birds in a suitable building, such as a shed, outbuilding or a new temporary structure, such as a lean-to or polytunnel (note – a polytunnel will be suitable only in cooler weather).Ensure openings and ranges are netted to prevent wild birds getting in and remove any substances stored within that may prove a hazard to your birds, such as accessible rodent bait or cleaning chemicals for example.

You are responsible for ensuring the welfare of your birds while they are indoors, and for keeping them calm and comfortable:

• Ensure birds have natural light where possible and are not kept permanently in the dark. Any artificial light should ideally follow typical day and night patterns

• Ensure there is adequate ventilation – adult birds will tolerate low temperatures, but are very susceptible to high temperatures (temperatures should not be allowed to go significantly above 21 Celsius)

• Feather pecking can be a risk when birds are kept indoors. Keep the  environment interesting to reduce this risk. Consider adding pecking blocks, fresh bedding, straw bales and objects such as cabbages, scatter feed or whole grain on the floor of the building, and add grit to litter so birds can scratch and carry out natural foraging behaviours

• If feather pecking occurs, you can reduce light levels, although there should still be light enough for you to read a newspaper

• If you keep several types of birds, you should house chickens or turkeys in separate enclosures from waterfowl (ducks and geese)

• Check birds regularly to ensure they are healthy and have enough food, water and dry bedding; you may want to consider nutritional supplements in drinking water, as these can help keep birds calm

• Skin parasites, such as red mite, can be a problem in birds kept indoors and can make birds more irritable. Advice on controlling these parasites can be obtained from your vet

• Register your birds with APHA.

If an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is in place requiring birds to be housed or otherwise kept separate from wild birds, specific advice and guidance for backyard producers and pet keepers will be published on GOV.UK