Online Reporting Service for Dead Wild Birds
Defra has launched a new online reporting system to be used by the public to report dead wild birds in Great Britain, as part of the Government response to the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. The new online system will be available to use 24/7, making is simpler and quicker for the public to report dead […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
Many of our northern species are well adapted to the cold, but some from warmer parts of the world will appreciate shelter and dry bedding. Giving them the opportunity to stand off frozen ground will protect their feet. However you source your straw, it’s vital to keep it covered and protected from wild bird droppings […]
Housing requirements
We are about to see weather challenges across large parts of the country. Wet snow particularly can bring net and poles down. Maintaining biosecurity whatever the weather is still a priority. Since the Housing Order was introduced for Wales on 2nd December, the Declaration for that nation has now been amended to include notes bringing […]
Member Webinar, Monday 5th December at 7pm
Since the housing orders imposed last month, most bird keepers are now obliged to complete a biosecurity checklist. In England, there is also a requirment to consult with your private vet if you are not housing all your birds, this should have been done by 21st November. Tomorrow evening, members have the opportunity to attend […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
With many birds being housed due to the bird flu restrictions, it is still important that we allow them to bathe and give them water deep enough to submerge their heads. Clean bathing water is essential for good health. Keep water containers as far way from bedding areas as possible, to help keep them clean […]
Housing measures now apply to Northern Ireland and from Friday also to Wales
The requirement to house our birds was announced for Northern Ireland today. On Friday 2nd December it will also apply to Wales. The details of these housing orders are broadly similar to those in force in England. Full specific details can be found for each administration: https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-aipz-including-housing-measures-the-whole-of-england https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/avian-housing-order-introduced-ni https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu-latest-update The ability to keep waterfowl under […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
Breed Type in White birds. Breed Type is a term used in exhibition birds to describe the general shape or form of the bird that typifies the breed. Most points (out of 100) are awarded for the different components that characterise Breed Type. On the show circuit, white birds are definitely more popular than other […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
Thinking of their feet. The current Avian Influenza housing/netting restrictions for waterfowl may impact on foot health. Build up of Ammonia from faeces in bedding or bacteria in the soil can contribute to drying of webs, callus formation and Staphylococcus aureus bacterial foot/leg infections. Consideration for foot health actually starts from the moment a duckling […]
Avian Influenza on the Pacific Flyway
In our newfound world of pandemic awareness, it seems not even our feathered friends have been spared from pandemic impacts. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has continued its pre-Covid scourge of our world, with detections on nearly every continent continuing for a number of years. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has been providing […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
We all love eau-de-pond-sludge! That black foul mud that builds up at the bottom of the pond is mostly decaying organic matter; faeces, feathers, uneaten food and rotting plant material. The first we cannot control, unless we keep fewer birds, but with care we can reduce the others. In a planted enclosure or close to […]
