Got hens? From Friday most poultry has to come inside under a new bird flu order Bird keepers in Cumbria must keep poultry indoors from Friday under new bird flu order
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
From Friday, if you've got 50 or more birds, or you sell or give away eggs, they've got to be kept in. Even if it's just a few hens in the garden, the biosecurity rules apply to you now.
If you keep birds, whether it's a proper farm, a smallholding or three hens and a duck in the garden, you need to know about this.
The UK's chief vet has brought in a housing order for England that starts this Friday, 13 November, because bird flu cases are rising. If you've got 50 or more birds, or you sell or even give away eggs, poultry or live birds, they've got to be kept indoors.
On top of that there's a prevention zone in force right now, which means tight biosecurity is the law for everyone, even if your flock's a few pets. That means keeping records, noting if they go off laying, disinfecting your boots, clothes, vehicles and kit, and keeping the housing and concrete paths clean and disinfected.
The nearest case to us this month was in commercial poultry near Garstang in Lancashire, confirmed on 7 November. There's been others near Biggar in the Scottish Borders and in Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire and Norfolk.
Chief vet Christine Middlemiss said: "Bird keepers are urged to comply with the housing measures and to exercise robust biosecurity, remaining alert for any signs of disease and reporting suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."
And don't go picking up sick or dead wild birds.
What to do: read the full rules on GOV.UK's "Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England" page and get your birds' housing sorted before Friday. If you think your birds have got it, ring the Animal and Plant Health Agency straight away on 03000 200 301. Found a dead swan, goose, duck or gull? Report it to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 or on GOV.UK.
A mandatory housing order covering England starts on Friday 13 November. Anyone with 50 or more birds, or who sells or gives away eggs, poultry products or live birds, must house them. All keepers, including backyard flocks, must follow strict biosecurity now.
This is for farmers, smallholders and anyone in West Cumbria who keeps chickens, ducks, geese or other birds, including a few hens in the back garden.
The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer has issued a mandatory poultry housing order for England, starting this Friday, 13 November, after a rise in confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which can cause severe disease and death in birds. Keepers must house all poultry and captive birds if they have 50 or more birds, or if they sell or give away eggs, poultry products or live birds.
An avian influenza prevention zone is also in force now. It makes strict biosecurity a legal requirement for every bird keeper, from commercial flocks to pets. That includes keeping records, reporting changes in egg laying, disinfecting footwear, clothing, vehicles and equipment, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting housing and concrete walkways.
The nearest recent case to Cumbria was in commercial poultry near Garstang in Lancashire, confirmed on 7 November. There have also been cases near Biggar in the Scottish Borders, in Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire and Norfolk this month.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: "Bird keepers are urged to comply with the housing measures and to exercise robust biosecurity, remaining alert for any signs of disease and reporting suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."
Do not touch sick or dead wild birds.
What you can do: read the full rules on GOV.UK's "Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England" page before Friday, and get your birds' housing ready. If you suspect bird flu in your birds, call the Animal and Plant Health Agency straight away on 03000 200 301. Report dead wild birds, such as swans, geese, ducks or gulls, through the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 or online on GOV.UK.