Weer: Hobby chicken keeper fights against bird flu!

Weer: Hobby chicken keeper fights against bird flu!

Bird flu is currently a dominant issue in the Tyrolean settlement of Archenwald. Sabine Kluckner, a hobby chicken keeper, is forced to keep her ten chickens in a covered coop to protect them from the dangers of avian influenza. The stable, which once served as a rabbit hutch, provides improved roofing and minimizes contact with wild birds. Kluckner has been keeping chickens for five years and has intensively dealt with the challenges that such animal husbandry brings with it in the current situation. Her veterinarian, a poultry expert, explained the problem of bird flu in detail and vehemently emphasized the necessary precautions. These precautions are particularly important for hobby owners.

Bird flu poses a serious risk to poultry farmers. According to lko.at, strict measures are required to combat the disease. If an infestation is confirmed, special cleaning and disinfection procedures must be followed, which may not be carried out by the operators themselves. Only professional companies are authorized to do this. The costs for these measures are covered by the federal government as part of the fight against epidemics, which represents an important relief for affected owners.

Precautions and recommendations

Special precautions are required when handling poultry droppings as they may contain high levels of virus. A decree from the Ministry of Health regulates the handling of manure, with two variants available. The first variant stipulates that the manure must remain in the stable for at least 42 days, being soaked in disinfectant as soon as it is stored. The stable must remain locked during this time to prevent unauthorized access. After an initial cleaning, a second thorough cleaning is carried out after a week. Animals are only allowed to be housed again on a trial basis three weeks after the final cleaning, but only under official supervision.

The second variant allows the manure to be taken out of the stable after a “cooling-off period”. It is important that the manure is sufficiently covered to prevent access for birds and rodents. After disposal, the stable is cleaned and disinfected. Here too, the washing water must be stored in closed containers for 42 days before final cleaning and disinfection can take place.

The exceptional situation of bird flu has significantly tightened the requirements for poultry farmers and clearly shown how important responsible measures are. Kluckner and her colleagues not only have to adhere to the strict health regulations, but also learn how to ensure the well-being of their animals in such critical times. In the hope that the situation will improve soon, it remains to be seen how the next few weeks will go.