With outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) confirmed in poultry and wild birds in several countries across Europe the government has imposed a ‘lock down’ of all poultry.
As a responsible poultry keeper you have to undertake all that is reasonable, and for most this means keeping their birds locked in. For birds used to free ranging this can be a really stress full time.
Your birds are more likely to fight in confined spaces, just imagine a group of teenagers locked in a single bedroom for a month and you will get the picture. As a stress buster try hanging items such as a cabbage or brussel sprout stem in their shed.
Ensure drinkers are located away from perches to avoid fouling, and importantly make sure they can’t be knocked over by the confined birds.
Improve ventilation as confined birds can generate a lot of heat and disease spreads quickly in that environment. A secure mesh door and windows are an ideal provision as they encourage an air flow which is essential.
Similarly regular poo picking is an absolute must in closed environments. Depending upon your circumstances it may that for the duration of the ‘lock down’ it will be a case of picking up the obvious and deep layering on top. With a thorough deep clean at the end.