Compulsory housing in case of bird flu: What hobby chicken keepers need to know

Avian flu and compulsory housing: What to consider when keeping chickens

The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, and migratory birds are already on their way to warmer regions in southern Europe or Africa. However, these conditions also favor outbreaks of avian influenza. Read our blog post to learn what chicken keepers need to know about the infectious disease and the resulting mandatory confinement.

Where does bird flu come from and why does it seem to be increasing?

This remains a controversial issue. While the German Bird Industry Association (BfV) classifies avian influenza as an infectious disease caused by wild birds, many animal welfare organizations view this increasingly common infection as a consequence of factory farming. For decades, these outbreaks were at least seasonal, and the severity of the infection was milder. Currently, infection patterns are changing. An infection with the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain is more severe and kills thousands of animals. There are now year-round epidemics. It is clear that the conditions in which many animals are kept in close quarters, as well as the enormous global exchange of goods in the poultry industry, favor the spread of the infection.

Avian influenza affects not only wild birds but also domesticated chickens, turkeys and quails

Commonly known as bird flu or fowl plague, it is caused by avian influenza viruses (AI viruses) and is a notifiable animal disease. Avian influenza threatens not only wild birds, but also chickens and other fowl. The viruses are transmitted through direct or indirect contact, such as through excrement. Eggs laid by infected birds can also contain the virus. Dogs and cats can also become infected by eating infected animals or their excrement.

Several outbreaks have already been reported in Germany this year. According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), cases have occurred in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Bavaria. In all cases, domestic geese or ducks were affected. There have also been isolated outbreaks in neighboring countries in recent months.

However, the topic of avian influenza and compulsory confinement seems particularly opaque for hobby poultry keepers. So, what does it actually mean when there is an outbreak in the area, and how should compulsory confinement be implemented according to legal regulations?

These symptoms occur in chickens with avian influenza

The symptoms in infected chickens initially appear nonspecific. The birds refuse food and water and appear listless. The following symptoms also commonly occur with avian influenza:

• Balance disorders
• Water retention
• Discharge from beak and eyes
• Mucous, green diarrhea
• Dull, ruffled plumage
• shortness of breath
• Fever

The infection can also affect egg production. The chickens either stop laying eggs or their eggs become deformed and have thin shells. However, with particularly aggressive viruses, the birds usually die within just a few days. Humans themselves are not suitable hosts for the virus. However, there have now been initial cases in which the virus has been detected in people who had very close contact with infected chickens. The risk is considered very low, however. So it's important not to panic when avian flu is declared, because consuming eggs or chicken remains safe despite the presence of avian flu. The virus is killed at temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius.

What the coop requirement means for hobby chicken keepers and what penalties are threatened

According to the North Rhine Veterinary Association, if more than two percent of the animals in the herd die, the local veterinary office must be contacted to determine the cause. However, suspected avian influenza must always be reported to the relevant authorities. If the case is confirmed, a three-kilometer protection zone and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone are established around the infected area. In these areas, confinement is often mandatory. In the affected regions, dogs and cats should also not roam freely to avoid contact with infected birds, advises the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

To contain the spread of avian influenza, a housing requirement has been imposed not only on larger farms, animal parks, and zoos, but also on hobby farms. This means that chickens that normally move around in a run must remain indoors. This applies without exception. This is intended to ensure that they have no contact with wild animals.

If necessary, our feathered friends may still be allowed to stay in a closed, fenced-in enclosure. It's important that they avoid contact with wild birds or their droppings. Regulations may vary from region to region. You should therefore check the website of the responsible district or state to find out what applies in your area.

Anyone who fails to comply with the order can expect severe penalties. Violation of the stable requirement can be considered an administrative offense and punished with a fine of up to 30,000 euros.

Why compulsory housing can be problematic

To prevent the virus from spreading, any animals present in the population are culled if the virus is detected – regardless of whether they are healthy or infected. Animal welfare organizations, in particular, view this critically. Many advocate isolating and treating infected animals instead of mass culling. For example, in consultation with the authorities, the Berlin Zoo was able to avoid culling the zoo's inhabitants during an infection in 2022 thanks to a visitor ban, strict hygiene management, isolation of affected animals, and testing of endangered animal populations. Professor Karina Reiß from the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein criticized the mass culling during the 2016 avian flu epidemic. She sees it as more of an activism, especially when pathogens are detected in practice but do not lead to the death of the animals. There are different pathogens in avian flu, and not all are considered highly aggressive.

It also becomes problematic when animals that normally live outdoors only have a small coop for the night. If confinement is mandatory, the animals' needs may no longer be met. It is therefore recommended to create a tightly fenced outdoor area for the animals so that they have sufficient space even during confinement. To avoid boredom caused by confinement, hobby chicken keepers should provide sufficient entertainment. A dust bath with Cumbasil Mite® can brighten the animals' mood and ease their movement restrictions. This allows them to pursue their innate instinct to brood while simultaneously protecting them from many parasites. The dampness that affects animals in winter is improved by the minerals' ability to bind moisture. More details on Activities for chickens in winter You can find out more in our blog post.

Is there a mandatory vaccination for bird flu in Germany?

There is currently no mandatory vaccination for avian influenza in Germany, and the EU has only permitted vaccination in countries since February 2023. In our view, this measure is more appropriate for industrial farming systems, as the conditions there are much more problematic for providing protection to the animals.

How to prevent bird flu and other diseases in the chicken coop

Even with contact with infected animals or sources of infection, not every animal will become ill immediately. The more robust and healthy the animals are, the better they are protected from infection. This includes optimal nutrition and a loving environment. The coop climate, and especially the bedding, should be as dry as possible. Therefore, clean the coop regularly and remove anything that could cause rot. Perches and feed and water dispensers should also be cleaned regularly. The following preventative measures can be taken to protect animals from avian influenza:

• Protect the stable from unauthorized persons
• Refraining from visitors from other poultry farms
• Store food (including fallen fruit), bedding and drinking troughs safely so that there is no contact with wild birds
• Clothes and shoes worn in the chicken coop should only be used there and washed regularly
• Monitor the health of the animals

Especially in colder seasons, the immune system of chickens is just as important as it is for humans. Since wild and meadow herbs with their valuable nutrients are lacking in winter, it may be advisable to support the animals with supplementary feed. Our KE herbal extract with 50 wild herbs is just the thing. The valuable ingredients of the fermented herbs compensate for this deficiency. Our herbal ferment can also be used to regulate biology in the stable. A positive stable environment ensures good immune defenses and thus protects against infections. To do this, spray the herbal extract (100 ml per 1000 ml of water) onto all surfaces and nests using a hump sprayer. Since the chicken intestine is also essential for the animals' natural defense system, we recommend our Blog post about fermented food .