Bird flu: being prepared and where to find information

The H5N1 bird flu strain can spread quickly by direct bird-to-bird contact and affect a broad range of wild birds across a large geographical range. The main risk for both commercial and backyard flocks is the introduction of the virus through contact with wild birds and their faeces and contaminated areas. It can also spread through equipment, feed, water, clothing, footwear, surfaces, people, and vehicles which have been contaminated with the virus.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the poultry industry have been working together to minimise impacts on the poultry sector, and to help commercial poultry producers improve farm biosecurity. Through this work the Bird Flu Biosecurity Aotearoa website has been established that contains standards, guidelines, and resources to support producers.

For backyard poultry owners, simple steps regarding good biosecurity can help protect your flock and make a difference. MPI has practical guidance for small flock owners in Preparing for bird flu: A guide for backyard poultry owners.

Implementing strict hygiene and biosecurity practices is essential to keeping domestic birds safe and reducing the risk of spreading the disease. This applies to anyone who owns birds – be they a commercial producer or someone with a few chickens in the backyard.

Some practical steps regarding hygiene and biosecurity measures include:

• limit visitors and keep a visitor and vehicle log
• bird-proof enclosures and avoid contact between your birds and wild birds
• keep feed and water sources secure from contamination
• keep enclosures, sheds, equipment, and surrounding areas clean, and disinfect equipment, including vehicles
• ensure good hygiene - handwashing, sanitising, using separate footwear if possible, and using PPE or dedicated farm clothing and footwear
• do not share equipment with other poultry farms/owners, and
• isolate or separate new birds before introducing them to your flock.

For further information about protecting your birds and learning about bird flu, the MPI website is a good place to start – Don’t-let-bird-flu-take-flight.

If you are a commercial producer, you can also check your industry website for advice and resources.

Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand

Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand

If you are a commercial poultry producer there is free support regarding bird flu readiness and response preparation. MPI’s On Farm Support team can work with you to develop a tailored biosecurity plan for egg and poultry farmers.

This support can include discussing your current biosecurity practices and areas where you may be able to strengthen your biosecurity practices on farm. They can tailor this specifically to your farm. You can learn more about how they can help here – Biosecurity support for layer hen farmers and Fact sheet - Biosecurity-support-for-egg-farmers, or contact PIANZ and they can help organise this for you.

The most obvious sign is sudden death of multiple birds in a flock. Other symptoms in poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, can include:

• Lethargy or reluctance to move
• Reduced appetite
• Darkened or swollen face, discolouration of wattles and combs
• Droopy head, paralysis, or lack of coordination
• Coughing, panting, and nasal discharge
• Unexpected drop in egg production
• A silent or “too quiet” poultry shed

In domesticated waterfowl, such as ducks, the virus can be harder to detect with symptoms usually related to the nervous system, such as involuntary movements, lack of coordination, blindness, and trembling.

If you are concerned about illness or unusual deaths in your own flock, contact the MPI hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

The MPI website has more information on symptoms to watch for.

If you see three or more sick or dead wild birds in a group or are concerned about illness or unusual deaths in your flock, report it immediately to MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

Do not handle or move them yourself and keep any other animals away from them where possible. One of MPI’s specialist biosecurity investigators will assess the information and tell you what to do next.

You can find more information about how to report a sick bird on MPI’s website.

MPI is the main agency leading New Zealand’s response. The most up-to-date information on bird flu, how to detect potential cases of bird flu in wild and domestic birds, and how to report cases is available from the MPI website. Don’t let bird flu take flight | NZ Government

You can also check MPI’s social media channels, like Facebook, for the latest news and advice.

Keeping poultry separated from wild birds is an effective way of reducing the risk of infection. Temporary housing can help protect birds from exposure whilst an outbreak is being managed. However, free-range poultry that are used to accessing an outdoor range and going outside can become frustrated and stressed when that access is suddenly stopped. Higher stocking densities (above the Code of Welfare for Layer Hens and SPCA Certified Standards) can also increase the incidence of negative behaviours, such as feather pecking, aggression, and smothering if not managed carefully.

Good litter management, appropriate ventilation, close monitoring of your flock, extra feed/scatter feeding, reviewing feed amino acid profiles, running feed chains at the time that popholes would normally be opened, and additional environmental enrichment (amongst other things) can help prevent negative behaviours occurring. Providing pecking materials, hay, lucerne, pecking blocks, scattered feed, and other opportunities to forage and peck also helps birds express natural behaviours while they are confined inside temporarily. If you want to understand more in general about enrichment for poultry, see the article Environmental enrichment for chickens.

With some preparation, close observation, and added environmental enrichment, free-range birds can be managed appropriately indoors temporarily whilst supporting their welfare and ensuring they are still able to exhibit normal behaviours. Check your birds frequently, respond quickly to unusual signs, and seek further advice if needed to manage temporary confinement of your free-range poultry.