Do I really have to keep them in?

[Hairyhat]

For 30 days?
I have too chickens. Rescued from a horrible farm where they were shut in. I really really don't want to lock them up again for 30 days. It feels cruel. Am I risking their lives only? Or is there any danger to humans/other birds/pets?

Finally got mine inside today. I know I'm a few days late but I only heard in weds and have been at work thurs and Friday.

Was worrying how to do it, they do have a walk in run and an outside enclosure with free access between the two. But dh said they couldn't just go in the WIR as the eglu cube won't fit in and they need shelter at night, that it would be too cold just in the WIR.

So I had the genius idea this morning of dragging the cube to the door of the WIR. So they can access the ladder and the cube from inside the WIR. The cube is then blocking most of the doorway so they can't get to the outside bit and I've then tied chicken wire above and below it to block any escapes.

Sounds good I have been sizing up the shed and wondering if I could do similar ... lift the house and pen to the shed and place it outside / next to it. I bet the chicken house makers are rubbing their hands.

I've got a cube and walk in run so I've put plastic sheeting on the top and small mesh netting around the sides to prevent contact with wild birds.

Chooks were very annoyed that I didn't let them out into the garden. I ended up picking chickweed and tidbits for them out of guilt.

You were ahead of me Possum.

I only heard last night, I have had a really busy week at work with a couple of really long days but I didn't realise I was that out of touch with the news.

Mine are in today, we cleared out a 10ft square brick stable and they are in there . They have the run of an orchard, no way I could make a run and cover it in without a few hours of work and I wasn't here for long enough today, have a 12 hour day tomorrow and another really busy week. There is a round window up high in there and I can leave the top half of the door open but it will be a bit of a shock for them.

Poor hens will have to stay in until Friday when we might be able to bash something together. I have got some of that electric netting but covering the top is the issue.

DH knew of it but decided that it didn't apply to us because we are so isolated . Just us, and tons of wildlife.

We've put up a mini marquee in their run! We've told them they're going to a festival. I need to check today to make sure birds can't get under the sides visions of limbo-ing blackbirds, but they look happy ish. It's a bit like the Truman Show out there!

If you know anyone who is refusing to comply, I agree, reminding them of the £5000 fine might focus their mind! If it were me I would report them as well, culls are absolutely devastating for farmers, and would be very upsetting for backyard chicken keepers as well :(

Wherever you're shutting your chickens in, access to perches and a dust bath will go a long way towards keeping them happy :)

I know someone who isn't complying but she says she rang and "spoke to a man" who agreed it would be impractical and cruel. She has geese, chickens and ducks running about together and I think it's mainly the geese which are the problem. She says you can't keep geese inside and as the geese are staying out there's no point putting the others in. From what she said the bloke she spoke to agreed with her.

Makes me wonder why I'm bothering when others aren't! Obviously I will carry on with them inside.

I wonder what she will do if bird flu does get here and spread. I was under the impression I was doing this partly because I don't fancy having to cull them and I don't relish the thought of them dying of flu, ie for selfish reasons as well as the greater good! I don't follow her logic about there being no point in keeping the others in if she can't keep the geese in.

In wonder if you could be held liable if uncompliant and there is an outbreak.

I think she thinks if she has six birds of whatever type outside she may as well just have 12.

She possibly spoke to the same Defra man as me, who appeared soconflict avoidant, and clueless, he just repeated 'take all practical measures like netting'. They weren't terribly helpful, and I honestly doubt they'll fine anyone. The whole thing appears a bit ill thought out.

Well, it was terribly badly publicised for a start.
Dh commented when he went to pick up straw that you might have expected there to be posters up at the feed merchant at least, but zilch.

Maybe she reckons that if her 6 outdoor birds get it they will make her cull the indoor ones as well, as I suppose they would.

I've moved mine into an outbuilding, put wood shavings on the floor and given them a small bale of straw to climb on/peck at.
My girls seem pretty happy indoors tbh.
I'm also using Virkon S (from Amazon) to disinfect my boots before stepping into their new quarters.

These measures aren't just to protect commercial poultry outfits, but also us backyard keepers and to lessen the risk of a mutation of flu and avian flu, which could be fatal in humans.
I've got little time for anyone not complying with DEFRA advice. I would be devastated if my hens had to be slaughtered because of careless poultry owners who couldn't be bothered to take a few steps to protect their birds. Rant over!
I'm wondering what will happen come 6th January, I'm half expecting the restrictions to continue.

I suppose it depends what happens with the spread in the wild bird population. If it is widespread by then, then absolutely I can't see them lifting it. It would make no sense.

Also no posters at our local feed merchants today. You'd have thought Defra would have sent them all posters and asked them to put up.

I think the restrictions will carry on after Jan 6th.

and no mentioning on the archers either...

Went and bought some layers pellets at the farm shop yesterday. There were no posters there either but they did have all their birds inside (I could hear them protesting loudly!) and were busy putting up plastic sheeting inside their run area, presumably to make a covered space where they could at least roam around a little (their usual run is massive but has no roof). We did have a little chat about the bird flu thing when I was paying so perhaps they are specifically warning people who are buying chicken feed as they are a very small proportion of their customers which are mainly horse owners.
It's not just feed merchants, even garden centres and pet shops sell accessories for chickens now and DEFRA probably doesn't know about a huge number of outlets. Perhaps the best thing would be for feed suppliers to contact all the customers on their lists and make sure they are fully informed, that way no one will be missed out.

There was a notice on our feed merchants door on Saturday - completely agree with the inadequate publicity, it has been rubbish!

I too know someone with tons of birds, geese, ducks, hens and guinea fowl who thinks that keeping them all in is too hard.

I wouldn't be devastated if they became ill, they are just hens to me and not pets but I do like them and feel a sense of responsibility to look after them properly/minimise the risk of the spread of potential disease.

and no mentioning on the archers either... Absolutely shocking... no sarcasm intended - surely that is what the Archers is FOR!

I know people who are on the DEFRA register of poultry keepers who haven't been informed about the restrictions! The whole point of the register is supposed to be to inform keepers in situations like this. It's ridiculous.

I do think the restrictions could be extended in January, some of the cases in France are very close to England, it's not unknown for species of seabirds to cross the channel even if they aren't migrating.

Also, if you see any dead water fowl, or 5 or more birds dead of any species, you're advised to report it to DEFRA (as well as contacting a vet ASAP if any of your birds show symptoms).

FantasticBeasts Our farm shop has a cafe and is very popular locally because they have all sorts of creatures (goats, donkeys etc) around for small children to pet. They have a very large number of poultry (they sell the eggs obv) with many breeds of chicken, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, even a peacock and lots of them are used to being out of the pen (my favourite cockerel loves to eat bits of iced-lolly out of my hands ). They must have at least a hundred birds so if they can manage to keep them in then I'm sure most other people must be able to if they make a bit of an effort. I really hate it when some people think the rules don't apply to them!

I spoke to someone yesterday with a few backyard hens. She hasn't kept them in be cause she only has an Eglu wait for this... She rang the vets and they said it was ok as she only had a few hens. I told her about fine etc and she was shocked.

Shame isn't it Pixel, this person has got about 100 birds, no excuse though as they also have plenty of barns!

DH has bought our hens four bales of oat and barley straw, a mix for variety we are feeding them anything green we can together with a couple of windfall apples a day which they love. Must be boring though compared to doing their own thing!

Feeling a bit miffed off with this now.

I must know at least five or six chicken keepers and none of them have even heard of the restrictions... and are therefore doing nothing. It's all very well me telling them, but this has been so badly publicised....

I'm with you there Beachys. I've heard of loads of people who are doing nothing even though they know about the restrictions- they just can't be bothered/think it doesn't apply to them.

Meanwhile my girls are stuck in the shed for the duration and completely miserable.