Protecting Your Backyard Poultry from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Michigan

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a severe disease that can have devastating impacts on poultry flocks, including backyard farms. As migratory birds head back north, the risk of HPAI to domestic poultry increases. Michigan has already detected two cases of HPAI in non-commercial flocks in 2023, and in 2022, the state reported 19 cases of HPAI in non-commercial flocks and one case in a commercial turkey flock.

To protect your birds from HPAI, it's crucial to take strict biosecurity measures, which include the following:

• Keep domestic birds away from areas shared by wild birds, especially waterfowl such as ducks and geese.
• Feed your birds in the coop and clean up any spilled feed to prevent wild birds from being attracted to your birds' area.
• Keep your poultry away from bodies of water that may be used by wild birds.
• Maintain a safe distance from your birds and avoid showing them to anyone outside of your immediate family.
• Use dedicated equipment and avoid sharing equipment with other poultry farmers.
• Keep the hen house clean and disinfect all equipment, clothes, shoes, and hands before and after entering the poultry area.
• Store feed safely to avoid contamination.
• Monitor your birds for any signs of illness, and report any suspicions of HPAI to the appropriate authorities immediately.

Knowing the warning signs of HPAI is also crucial. If you see a sudden increase in bird deaths, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, lack of energy, or other symptoms, there is a possibility that your birds may have avian influenza.

Reporting any suspicions of illness immediately is essential to control the spread of HPAI. Contact your flock veterinarian or call MDARD at (800) 292-3939 or (517) 373-0440 after hours if you have sick or dead birds. If you see sick or dead wild birds near your flock, report those to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

By following these strict biosecurity measures, backyard farmers can help protect their flock from HPAI and prevent the spread of the disease. For more resources and information, visit mipoultry.com.

Photo Credit: GettyImages-suriyasilsaksom