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New housing measures for UK birds: what it means for you

TrustedHousesitters blog author - Danielle Petch
Danielle Petch
15 December 20202 min read

As a multi pet-loving community, at TrustedHousesitters we have members with pets of all shapes, sizes and species. Which is why we always like to keep in the loop with any updates that may affect you, or how you or your sitters arrange bird care.

On the week of the 15th December 2020, new housing measures came into force in England, Scotland and Wales following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds, which may affect some of our bird-keeping members. 

This new measure, which came into force on the 14th December 2020, meant that bird keepers now legally need to keep their birds indoors to help limit the spread of the avian influenza disease. However, rest assured that according to public health advice, any risk to human health from the virus is very low.

Great Britain’s three Chief Veterinary Officers said, in a joint statement:

“Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from 14 December onwards you will be legally required to keep your birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

How to prevent avian flu at home and home premises

Poultry and captive bird keepers need to be vigilant for any signs of avian influenza in their feathered friends, and seek advice from their vet as soon as they have concerns. Some of the measures for keeping birds that the government introduced are: 

  • Housing or netting all poultry and captive birds
  • Cleaning and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after being in contact with poultry and captive birds
  • Reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where these animals are kept
  • Using effective vermin control
  • Cleaning and disinfecting bird housing at the end of a production cycle
  • Keeping fresh disinfectant at places like farm entrances and before entering poultry and captive bird housing or enclosures so that people can use it
  • Minimising direct and indirect contact between captive birds and poultry and wild birds - this includes making sure bird feed and water are not accessible to wild birds

I’m going to pet sit in a house with birds and poultry. How do the new measures affect me? 

Sitters currently taking care of a bird (or group of birds) on a sit should follow the same advice as above. We would also recommend any bird-keeping members or sitters visit the Gov UK website here for further information on how to prevent the avian flu. 

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