Avian flu does have a vaccination available, but it is not allowed to give it in the UK. The Community Chickens are also not too good at listening or understanding why they are suddenly less popular! So what is it? Avian flu (influenza) is bird flu. It mainly affects birds, but can affect humans and other animals. It is a notifiable disease, meaning that if any captive bird has it then Defra Rural Services need to be told. Hands, face, space is not going to work for chickens, so we need to give them a helping hand to stay well. Unlike human flu it is not a winter thing it happens at any time of year.
Any dead birds which are not obviously killed by a fox or other predator should not be touched until Defra have advised of what to do. More subtle symptoms of avian flu include head and body tremors, dropping wings, dragging legs, loss of appetite, increased drinking (water – our chickens are teetotal), and unusual noises or open beak breathing. It is therefore important for those looking after them to know the birds well as to an outsider any of that may seem daft or usual behaviour rather than a problem. It also affects egg production,but the Winter months do that too. That is rest time for the chickens.
Community Chickens
There have been up to 30 birds in the Community flock at any time. A few fancy breeds joined them last year when some plot holders left and asked for the birds to be taken in. Good looking chickens but not as good as laying as the others it seems. The Nova Brown chickens have supplied plot holders with eggs during the pandemic thanks to the efforts of a team of volunteer plot holders. Eggs are collected daily when the chickens are laying.
In the morning the chickens have been checked, and before the avian flu, let out into their run. Water containers given the once over to ensure they are clean and re-filled. The hanging feeders looked at and filled as required. Sometimes there is the grisly site of an unwelcome visitor in the night. Urban foxes have sometimes been able to find their way in to the coop despite security measures to prevent digging or creating gaps in the fencing.
Roof Repairs
The Community Chickens are at a good distance from other chickens kept on the allotments by several plot holders. Section 12 of the Allotments Act 1950 permits plot holders to have chickens on their plot. During periods of avian flu, the chicken keepers are careful to ensure that there is not sharing of equipment. The birds are kept undercover rather than allowed into their run so have their own (f)lock-down. This is to prevent wild birds mixing with them as much as possible.
Salford Food Parcels also have chickens on their plot. The eggs are collected and distributed through their “Right To Eat” scheme. Daily visits to the site during the laying season to ensure that the chickens do not damage any eggs they lay.
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