Avian influenza information for backyard poultry owners

Avian influenza can be a highly infectious disease that affects many bird species, including pet and farmed chickens. It is also known as bird flu. There are curently no detections in Victoria.

Many wild birds, including waterfowl and seabirds, can carry strains of bird flu without showing signs of disease. H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) can, however, cause mass deaths in wild birds and significant deaths in poultry.

Australia’s animal health authorities are continuing to monitor H5 bird flu detections in wild birds. The current risk to backyard flocks remains low. However, good biosecurity is the key to protecting your backyard poultry against H5 bird flu and other diseases.

No matter how many birds you have, all poultry owners have a role to play in preparedness, including having a property biosecurity plan and remaining vigilant for signs of H5 bird flu.

For the latest information, go to the H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) page.

Poultry that are most susceptible are:

• Domestic poultry
• Ducks
• Geese
• Turkeys
• Guinea fowl
• Quail
• Pheasants
• Emus
• Ostriches

Signs of bird flu

The first sign of bird flu may be the sudden death of some poultry. Other signs include:

• Rapid drop in feed intake
• Sudden drop in egg production
• Typical ‘sick bird’ signs – ruffled feathers, depression, closed eyes
• Diarrhoea
• Birds having trouble breathing, coughing or sneezing
• Lethargy or not eating/drinking
• Swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• Discharge from the eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Twisted necks or unusual posture

H5 bird flu should be considered if a high proportion of a flock or group of birds becomes ill very quickly – progressing from normal to severe illness or death within 24 to 48 hours.

Reporting sick or dead wild birds and wildlife

If you find sick or dead wild birds or wildlife with signs of H5 bird flu:

• AVOID contact with sick or dead wild birds or wildlife and their environment.
• RECORD what you see.
• REPORT it to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action using the online form or by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Report clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria.

Report even one sick or dead wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird, bird of prey or marine mammal, such as a seal, sea lion or dolphin.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action will assess each report and decide if testing is needed.

Steps to take

If you suspect H5 bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you or your vet must report it immediately by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Effects on pet birds

Bird flu has not been detected in pet birds such as canaries, budgies and other caged birds in Victoria.

For steps you can take to protect pet birds, go to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website.

Keeping birds under cover and separate from wild birds will help protect them from bird flu.

Protecting your birds from bird flu

Poultry and bird owners should take practical steps now to reduce the chance of their birds making contact with wild birds, wild bird droppings or contaminated water.

These may include the following:

• Keep feed and water in areas that wild birds cannot access.
• Prevent poultry and other kept birds from accessing dams, ponds or other water sources used by wild birds.
• Use netting, fencing, roofing or other barriers where practical to reduce contact with wild birds or wild bird droppings.
• Keep poultry areas and aviaries clean and remove spilled feed, fallen fruit or standing water that may attract wild birds.
• Wear clean footwear and clothing when entering poultry areas.
• Clean and disinfect footwear and equipment before entering poultry areas if you have been in areas used by wild birds.
• Wash your hands before and after handling birds.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with other people's poultry while the situation is being monitored.
• Monitor birds closely and report any signs of illness or unexplained deaths.

Poultry should not share water from sources that wild birds frequent, as they can become contaminated and a source of infection.

The following water sources are less likely to be contaminated:

• Treated (chlorinated) mains water
• Bore water that has been tested and is suitable quality for poultry (poultry have a low tolerance for saline water)

Talk to your vet for more advice on biosecurity measures for your backyard poultry.

Consider temporarily housing your poultry, where practical.

Backyard poultry and bird owners are not required to keep their birds indoors.

Australia’s animal health authorities are monitoring H5 bird flu in wild birds and have considered practical precautionary measures that commercial producers can take given the H5 bird flu detections in wildlife in other states.

This includes recommending non-mandatory measures such as poultry producers temporarily housing free-range birds where practical while maintaining animal welfare.

As the relevant state authority, the Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer supports the voluntary housing recommendations as a temporary measure given the current H5 situation.

Where it is practical and does not compromise animal welfare, you may choose to temporarily keep birds in a covered or enclosed area. This can help reduce direct and indirect contact with wild birds, wild bird droppings and contaminated water.

If housing is not practical, review your biosecurity and use other measures to minimise contact between poultry and wild birds. This may include reducing the range area or the time birds spend on the range.

Biosecurity practices

Clean vehicles, equipment and boots

To clean vehicles, equipment and boots:

1. Remove visible mud and dirt.
2. Clean with neutral pH detergent.
3. Use a disinfectant or sanitiser, such as 3% citric acid.
4. Leave the disinfectant on for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse with water.

Clean your skin and clothes

After possible contact with infected birds or materials:

• Wash skin with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Dry your skin with a towel.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser with 60% to 80% alcohol.
• Rub sanitiser over your hands and forearms for 15 seconds.
• Shower and wash all clothes worn on the property.

After touching birds that may be infected

If you have touched birds that may be infected:

• Avoid contact with other birds for 48 to 72 hours.
• Watch your health for 7 days after your last possible exposure.
• Follow any advice from Agriculture Victoria for your situation.

Giving eggs to family or friends

If you are giving eggs to family and friends, please keep a record of who you are giving them to and the date. You should also:

• Use new cartons if possible or keep reused cartons away from your birds.
• Clean your chicken coop regularly and collect eggs daily.
• Discard any cracked or heavily soiled eggs and clean dirt off others with a soft cloth.
• Keep your eggs in the refrigerator and cook them thoroughly.

Selling eggs

If you sell eggs for human consumption, you must follow the egg production standard.

During an outbreak of bird flu in Victoria, you must also follow Agriculture Victoria's instructions on selling eggs in your region.

Property identification codes

If you have 50 or more poultry (domesticated fowl, chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, guinea fowl, pigeons, quail or pheasants) you must have a property identification code (PIC).

Agriculture Victoria uses PICs to contact livestock owners during emergencies such as fire, flood and animal disease outbreaks.

For more information and to apply for a PIC, go to the Property identification codes page.

Keeping poultry safe at bird shows

Bird shows are a great opportunity for breeders and exhibitors to showcase breeds and compete for coveted titles. However, disease can spread because of close contact between birds and handlers from different locations.

Here are some tips to help keep your birds safe during and after bird shows:

• Do not bring any birds to the show if there’s illness in the home flock.
• Clean and disinfect all bird equipment, cages and containers before and after shows.
• Judges and handlers should disinfect hands between birds, where possible. Exhibitors should only handle their own birds.
• Ensure you quarantine show birds for 14 days before they’re reintroduced to the home flock.
• Keep records of bird movements to assist traceback in the event of a disease outbreak.

More information

• Poultry health, diseases and prevention
• Backyard Biosecurity – biosecurity measures for small landholders
• Biosecurity basics
• Avian influenza: report sick or dead wild birds and wildlife
• Interactive map of reported sick or dead wild birds and wildlife
• Bird flu information from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Department of Health, Victoria: bird flu information