Georgia Dept. of Agriculture Offers Tips to Protect Backyard Flocks From Avian Influenza

With the higher prices at the grocery for eggs and poultry products, more people are opting to raise their own chickens.

Whether you’re an experienced backyard flock owner or a novice, the Georgia Department of Agriculture wants you to be aware of what you can do to protect your poultry from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus and other diseases.

On Monday the State Veterinarian for the Dept of Agriculture in conjunction with the Georgia Poultry Federation released an update on what backyard poultry owners can do to protect their birds.

According to the Georgia Poultry Federation, key components for equipping yourself against the potential spread of AI are bio-security and understanding environmental risks.

Dr. Louise DuFour-Zavala is the Executive Director of the Georgia Poultry Federation Laboratory.

She said the most recent outbreak across the Southeast of AI in wild birds has been seen in black vultures.

Black vultures are one of over 100 wild bird species now affected by circulating avian influenza also known as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or HPAI.

The HPAI virus is extremely infectious, not treatable, and can cause high death rates in infected species.

The level of the virus in the wild and domestic birds’ environment is high right now and DuFour-Zavala said flock owners must assume the virus is everywhere outdoors.

“The AI virus is out there in the environment because it is carried by wild waterfowl and other wild birds. So, we can consider that it is in the environment. So, for people who acquire backyard flocks, it’s very critical that they keep their flocks as contained as possible, that they keep their coops clean, that they control visitors and any other animals around their coops, and very importantly that they keep their chickens away from wild birds, especially ducks, geese, and vultures in Georgia,” she said.

Dr. Dufour-Zavala said some other common sense biosecurity things you can do to protect your birds include, avoiding feed spills or feed availability to wild birds, regularly cleaning and disinfecting equipment used to care for your flock, washing your hands before and after tending your flock, and use clean clothing and shoes dedicated to your flock.

She said that’s extremely important especially if you live near or on the lake.

“The virus is in the feces of the wild waterfowl. So, if you live around the lake you’re going to step in goose feces easily. So, you have to assume that the virus is outside the coop. If they go tend to the chickens they should put dedicated shoes that have not walked around the lake or even in town,” she said. “Or wear those disposable plastic boots you put over your shoes or even better, dedicated boots that stay in the coop. That way, they avoid bringing the virus into their birds’ space.”

Backyard chickens that contract the HPAI virus will die quickly but there are signs your birds might be infected which include not eating or becoming depressed.

If you encounter dead birds or any signs of HPAI in your flock, Dr. Dufour-Zavala recommends contacting the AI Hot Line at 770-766-6850.

You can also visit GDA’s Avian Influenza (AI) webpage for more information on domestic birds and DNR’s webpage for resources on wild birds at https://georgiawildlife.com/sick-injured-or-orphaned-wildlife/avian-influenza.