Good biosecurity includes the following steps:
Minimise/prevent contact between your birds and wild birds
- Ensure wild birds cannot access your bird’s feed, water, bedding or environment. H5 avian influenza can spread to your birds directly from wild birds by contact with their saliva or faeces.
- Remove or net objects that may attract wild birds to your property such as ponds or roosting trees.
Keep your property and enclosures clean
- Clean water and feed containers regularly and do not let them become contaminated with faeces.
- Clean up feed spills immediately so they do not attract wild birds or vermin.
Quarantine new or unwell birds
- Isolate any new or sick birds being brought onto your property from your other birds for at least 30 days and only introduce them to your flock only if they are well.
Hygiene
- Always wash your hands with soap before and after handling your birds.
- Avoid handling birds other than your own or allowing others to handle your birds.
- Clean your footwear and clothes regularly, particularly after visiting other birds.
Other animals
- Keep all other livestock on the property in secure enclosures and do not permit them to mix with other species.
- Pets such as cats and dogs should not be allowed to enter the poultry or pet bird enclosures as they can also catch H5 avian influenza.
Recognise and report signs of H5 avian influenza in pet birds or backyard poultry
As the owner of pet birds or backyard poultry, it is important to be able to recognise the signs of H5 avian influenza if it occurs in your birds. Infected birds may show:
- General signs of illness – lack of energy, not wanting to walk, eat or drink, being fluffed up, diarrhoea, unexplained deaths
- Respiratory signs – watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge
- Nervous signs – unusual head position, tremoring, weakness, not able to walk
- Physical changes – blue-tinged legs, comb or wattle, swelling of the head or limbs
- Egg changes – reduced egg production, soft shelled, or misshapen eggs
If your pet birds or poultry are sick, talk to your local veterinarian or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. All forms of avian influenza, including H5 avian influenza, are reportable and anyone with suspicion of the disease has a legal obligation to report it.
