preston powerblast

Article in last nights Lancashire Evening Post. Title: BIRD FLU- Should we be worried. Bird flu is by no means new, with the first recorded epidemic occuring in Italy in 1878. Over the years, the 135 different types of bird flu have caused epidemics in many birds, including poultry, in countries all around the world. The latest outbreak, which has caused widespread panic across the globe, has been code-named H5N1 and is also known as Avian Influenza. It has been spreading through Asia since 2003 and so far 112 people are known to have caught the disease, with around half being fatal. Almost 150 million birds in the region have been slaughtered, but it has failed to stop the virus spreading with recent outbreaks in China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and several reigions of Russia. There are now concerns that migrating birds could carry the disease from infected areas into the UK. Precautions have been set up in the UK in an attempt to keep the disease out of the country. These include a ban on the importation of chickens and meat from infected areas. Other recommendationd have been given in a joint statement issued by the RSPB, Bird Life international, Wildfowl and wetlands trust and The British Trust For Ornithology. Which states that wild birds for the pet trade from affected areas should also be banned. The Food and Agriculture Organisation is a United Nations based food agency. They have warned that that bird flu is likely to spread to Europe, the Middle East, South asia and Africa and are urging nations at risk to increase surveillance and prepare national emergency plans. Richard White, a bird entusiast from Lancashire, believes that there is a possibility that migrating birds could bring the disease in, but it is unlikely, he said, its best to be cautious. The wildfowl are the main carriers of bird flu, this includes swans, geese and ducks. Martin Mere, near Ormskirk welcomes thousands of birds of migrating birds every year, including many that travel from Russia. Some of those that make the journey include the Berwick's swan, mallard, pintail, widgeon and shoveller, although most birds breeding in affected areas will be migrating to the South and West of the UK. Mr White explained that many of the migrating birds are not flying into areas of Lancashire where they will have the chance to interract with domestic animals, and therefore could not pass on disease or ifection. He said. They fly mainly into salt marshes of the Ribble Estuary and the farmland of west Lancashire. In winter there are up to 100,000 widgeon on the Ribble marshes. In July the Thialand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, gave the order for a cull of wild storks over concerns that the birds were spreading avian flu. Mr White does not agree with this method. He said it would be practically impossible, not to mention an economic disaster. Birdlife International is a global alliance of international orginisations and groups.They share the same view and believe that storks are being needlessly blamed, with the culling being an extremely misguided attempt to control the disease. Richard Thomas, comminications manager for Birdlife International said. The wild birds are the victims in this outbreak rather than the carriers. So far all of the cases in wild birds have appeared to have died out quite quickly and the disease hasnt been passed on much further. It is not entirely clear yet how the disease is spreading, but according to some experts, the cases follow the roads and rail of poultry transport routes. All cases reported in humans have been in those who have worked very closely with chickens. It is thought that methods in south east Asia, where domestic flocks are often allowed to mix freely with wild birds, especially waterfowl, have resulted in the disease being passed over to the migrating birds. In recent months, between five and 10% of the world population of the bar-headed goose died from the virus in China, raising concerns over the economic implications of this outbreak. The major culls of infected livestock have added to these concerns, bringing back memories of the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK where, contrversially, millions of animals were killed. A meeting held last week at DEFRA in London was attended by experts from across the UK. At the meeting Dr Ruth Cromie from the wildfowl and wetlands trust, explained how the migration routes and the threat of bird flu entering the UK were both discussed. She said there is a possibility that bird flu may enter the UK, but at the meeting we consider the risk to be low... At Martin Mere there are large flocks of of birds that come in from all over the world every year. However a lot of these are hooper swans and pink footed geese which are from Iceland. The huge majority of birds coming into Britiain in the winter are a long way away from those affected areas and i think in Lancashire it should be alright..... Preston Powerblast: I think they need to look at the big picture and consult some proper experts. they are saying that if birds landed in the salt marshes that did carry he virus then it would be ok. They didnt mention the 450 wildfowlers association members who shoot wildfowl at the opposite side of the estuary all who have labradors and spaniels for retrieving the shot birds. Then in the next breath they are saying not worry Lancashire will be ok. This will become another foot and mouth if it hits this country it will spread rapidly especiall if it happens in the winter.

He probably is and his new strain of birds will be called after him.

Paper bag!!Hehe. :X reminds me of when I'm fogging hen houses I wear a plastic hood. You only need a shallow tray for a boot wash. Any disinfectant is ok down the drain. Most disinfectants are usually ok for three or four days some are said to be ok for a week. Hope you put eye holes in the paper bag ;D

I dont mean use milton as a disinfectant, I dont really know if our disinfectants are available to the public as we buy in bulk. I think the two main ones that you can buy off the shelf is Avisafe or Virkon S. I use stuff similar to Vanodine. But i suggested Milton in the drinking water water as I use this myself and know it to be safe. http://www.evansvanodine.co.uk/contact-us.htm this is a site that will give you some basic info on disinfectants. Farm supply shops are a good source for disinfectants. (In my own opinion) I think the government reacted a bit slow to the foot and mouth crisis and could have introduced stricter measures sooner. When we disinfect we first pressure wash using water heated to over 90 degrees C, then we wash disinfect with a dilution rate at 100 to 1. http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/pdf/disinfectants_scotland.PDF This is another source of suppliers of disinfectants and their usage. Hope this helps. Another thing that has been brought to my attention is that some people use rain water that has been collected in water butts to water their pigeons, this too would have to stop.

You could still use an aviary as a section, so long as it covered and will shut out the elements and wild birds from soiling into it. The best quarantine section would be a single section with direct access. But unless you intend to bring in new stock you wouldnt really need a quarantine section as you could isolate your own birds in a nestbox. As we always say if in doubt disinfect it. Even atomiser sprays are handy tools. An Ioniser is a very handy item to have in any loft as it keeps down dust and airborne particles. In general as you say keep outside, outside.

No problem mate, I am only too happy to share my knowledge and anything else I find out.

Brilliant.

Biosecurity is basic common sense. If it comes down to it then fanciers need to keep a strict cleaning routine. protective footwear and overclothing should be worn when entering the loft, preferably footwear than can be disinfected. A tray of disinfectant that you could stand in when entering and exiting the loft. Over clothing that could be washed in the washer. Dont let stray birds into your loft. cover all aviaries. Have an active rodent control system, be vigilant for evidence of vermin, rats, mice. Feed bins drinkers food hoppers must be cleaned and maintained regular. Feed should only be obtained from a mill or supplier woh operates in accordance with the relevant Defra and UKASTA codes of practice. Keep all sections seperate and maintain them as if the were a seperate loft. Dont let other fanciers in and out of your lofts. Buying New Stock. These should be kept in seprate section and isolated from the rest of your birds and quarantined for a minimum of 14-21 days. Never re enter your main loft after dealing with isolated stock until you have washed and changed into clean overalls and thoroughly diinfected your footwear. Double bag and dispose of all your waste carefully. One scraper for each section and disinfect after use. Use a clean bag or vessel per section. One teaspoon of Milton per 8 pints of water could also be added to your drinkers to stop any germs of diseases being spread via the water drinker. Remember: That all perches and floors should be thouroughly cleaned before being disinfected as most disinfectants fail to penetrate. Keep domestic animals away from the lofts. But as I said before its nearly all common sense and these measures are only implemented in extremes. Dont buy cheap disinfectant use only recommended stuff. Most dilution are approx 100 to 1.

If I sounded a bit abrupt in my earlier posts, then i must appologise. But myself and people in the same business as me are the ones who help prevent the spread of disease, we are the ones on the front line. We disinfect trucks, premises machinery, poultry farms. When the risk becomes a threat we get told. We were the poor guys parked on a country road in the middle of nowhere washing down and disinfecting trucks when the foot and mouth crisis hit. We were working flat out, but we do get advance warning and get told how proceed and have to adhere to strict guidelines. At the moment all that is being circulated is guidelines for better Biosecurity

Your point is what, exactly? Where does it mention pigeons??? Where does it mention mass cull??? Where does defra mention locking birds up???

Thats what the powers that be are saying at the moment.

The experts agreed that the recent outbreaks of avian influenza in Russia are a cause for concern but that the risk of the virus spreading into the EU via migrating birds is remote or low. They concluded that it would not be proportionate to the current risk of disease to introduce a general ban on keeping poultry outdoors. This is the latest statement by DEFRA

believe me you wont be dissappointed. What strain are you getting?

I think poultry farms over here are taking the threat seriously as many in my area are moving poultry indoors, which obviously means more work for me. But I think this is more of a precaution than anything. I dont think there will be any free range eggs for a bit though.

Its like anything else if it works for you then stick with it. Over the years I have had some success with the all 3 systems, Darkness system, Light system and Natural. But the system I preferred is the the light system. But you have to train them hard and work them hard otherwise they just fall to bits. One good thing about the darkness system is that your youngbirds always look good as they come through the moult quickly and seem to hold thier flights well through the season. But i am a believer in keeping things simple.

Whenever our birds get loose droppings we give them two tablespoons of cider vinegar to a bullet drinker this usually tightens them up. But you find that watery droppings are quite normal after training or racing and should tighten up after a feed.

Over the years I have bought some 40 or 50 birds from Louella. Like all pigeons you buy there are good and bad. But I built a family based on some pigeons purchased from louella and had some good success stories. But I have had some duck eggs too. I must say that they were all in good health apart from 2 which died and he replaced them with no arguement on recieving back the rings. But like anything else you pay your money and take your chance. But they do have an excellent choice.