Bird flu has arrived in New Zealand, and if you keep backyard chickens, ducks or other poultry, you may be wondering what this actually means for your flock.
In this episode of White Strawberries, we talk about H5N1 bird flu and what backyard poultry keepers need to know. We look at how this strain differs from the bird flu you may have heard about previously, what symptoms to watch for in chickens, ducks and wild birds, and why biosecurity matters even if your birds normally free-range.
We get practical about protecting your flock: keeping wild birds and rodents away from feed, preventing access to potentially contaminated water and droppings, and why simply putting up bird netting may not be enough. We also talk about what to do if you need to temporarily confine free-range chickens, whether chickens can survive H5N1, when veterinary care is important, and what happens if birds have been exposed.
This isn't about panic or pretending we can eliminate every risk. It's about understanding the risks and giving your flock the best chance possible.
🌱 What You'll Discover
What makes H5N1 different from previous bird flu concerns
Signs and symptoms of bird flu in chickens, ducks and wild birds
Practical ways to reduce exposure to wild birds and rodents
Why contaminated water and droppings can be a concern
How to protect free-range chickens
Whether chickens can survive H5N1
When veterinary care may be needed
What happens to exposed chickens
Practical biosecurity steps for backyard poultry keepers
Other Episodes with Sez the Vet on chickens can be found HERE.
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