Keeping Backyard Flocks safe
If you keep a small flock of poultry or ‘captive birds’, you have an important role in preventing further disease outbreaks. An outbreak of bird flu in a backyard flock could have the same impact on poultry keepers and trade in poultry as an outbreak on a commercial farm.
The above points are covered in our one page leaflet – print this and keep it handy, or put a copy on your noticeboard:
Do you keep chickens, ducks, geese… Help protect your birds from the risk of bird flu (August 2017)
Adding new birds to your flock
If you buy new birds, always check their health before you bring them to your property.
Keep new birds separate from the rest of the flock. Talk to your vet about this and agree a monitoring programme.
You must put new birds in housing that has been cleaned and disinfected.
Use separate equipment when you handle new birds or isolated flocks.
If possible, have different people to handle new birds. If this is not possible handle the new birds last.
You must change into clean clothes and footwear when you go between new birds and your existing flock.
Please note that by law, bird keepers must register their birds. This applies to all birds except those kept within your home. This enables the Department to provide you with up-to-date information about avian influenza and measures you can take to prevent spread to your birds.
Registration forms are available from the Bird Registration Form page or by contacting your local DAERA Direct Regional Office.