Lockdown to end 31st March!

[Whatthechicken]

Love the bit about ‘bird gatherings will still be prohibited’

* News just in from Animal and Plant Health Agency about the Avian Influenza Housing Order! *

“The risk of avian influenza to both wild and kept birds has reduced to ‘medium’. The GB-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZ) requiring enhanced biosecurity will remain in force but Wednesday 31st March 2021 will be the last day poultry and other captive birds will need to be housed in GB (housing restrictions end 23:59 31st March 2021). Bird gatherings will remain prohibited.

High standards of biosecurity remain essential as infection may still be present in the environment. If you intend to allow your birds outside after 31 March you must take action now to prepare the outside areas. Read our guidance on how to prepare for the safe release of your birds available on GOV.UK"

For more information on the relaxation of the housing order please read:
www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zone-declared?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=2d7c1717-84c8-4922-9b3c-5b05a97f55f0&utm_content=immediately

Hooray! Thankyou for this

I know, my chickens are going to be so happy...they have started to shoulder barge their way out of the run when I go in and only treats will tempt them back.

Just came on to post this 😊

No "bird parties" made me laugh too

I know!! I know what they meant, but it was still funny given that we humans are in the same situation - and I can imagine my girls rocking out after this long in a covered run!!

Mine will be so happy though it was so lovely this afternoon I let them out for half an hour before bedtime. They all charged up the garden to their favourite dust bathing spots.

Are you all removing the extra fine netting too? It does make their run a lot darker. I’m keeping the roofing as it keeps them drier.

I'm actually having to leave mine in there as I'm having building work start next week and as access to the back is through their run area they'll be better off contained and it means better access.

They were in a makeshift shelter at the side of the house for 3 months with a tarp over the top, and last weekend went into their new home - a greenhouse with meshed sides. Once the building work is done I'll just be leaving the greenhouse door open, the actual house being undercover will be fantastic. Also gives a dry area for their food. I'm so pleased with it, and come any future restrictions it will just a case of shutting the greenhouse door.

Happy chicks! Look at that mud being kicked!

Pleased to hear this, but concerned about the remaining ban on bird gatherings. Our neighbours also have free range chickens that tend to wander in and out of our garden too - do they have to stick to the Rule of Six?! And do I need to impose 2m social distancing on the wild birds😂
Seriously though, it's a big relief that we are all coming out of lockdown at last. Let's hope that things continue to improve.

@MrsAvocet

Pleased to hear this, but concerned about the remaining ban on bird gatherings. Our neighbours also have free range chickens that tend to wander in and out of our garden too - do they have to stick to the Rule of Six?! And do I need to impose 2m social distancing on the wild birds😂 Seriously though, it's a big relief that we are all coming out of lockdown at last. Let's hope that things continue to improve.

🤣