Bio security, chickens

[Clodagh]

As of noon today time to get the footbaths out. Not yet a housing measure but heading that way.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain

 

[Art Nouveau]

This is my first year with hens (they're actually my mum's, but we live together)

Can I just confirm:
This applies to all flocks, no matter the size (we have 4)
The hens need to be in an enclosed area

If, say, my toddler picked up a hen, does she the need to disinfect her clothes? What counts as disinfecting? Ordinary machine wash or something extra? We're on a septic tank so are limited as to what chemicals we can let down there

Thanks.
My mum has friends who never bothered with control measure so though I warned her this was coming, I don't think she was planning further than not letting them out of the stable if a housing restriction came in

 

[Clodagh]

It applies to everyone.
If you only have a few don’t panic. I will have a washing up bowl with virkon solution in for boot dipping when entering and exiting the chook area. They don’t need shutting away but try to keep wild birds out of their feeders and drinkers . Mine are well back in the hen house and I have string curtains to put off the jackdaws.
As long as they look well I’d not do anything else. It may be worth checking if you are in East Anglia do they have housing rules in place now?

 

[Clodagh]

You can sign up for disease location notifications. It’s depressing at the moment though.