North Northamptonshire Council is reminding anyone who keeps birds that they will legally have to keep their birds housed from Monday, November 7 to minimise the risk of avian flu.

The housing measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.

The Government order will extend the mandatory housing measures already in force in the hot spot area of Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex to the whole of England following an increase in the national risk of bird flu in wild birds to very high.

Over the last year, the United Kingdom has faced its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza with over 200 cases confirmed since late October 2021. The introduction of the housing measures comes after the disease was detected at over 70 premises nationwide since the beginning of October, as well as multiple reports in wild birds.

The Chief Veterinary Officer is now encouraging all bird keepers across England to use the week to prepare, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their private vet and expand housing where necessary.

All bird keepers, whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard, must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If they have any concerns about the health of birds, they are asked to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.

The addition of housing measures to the AIPZ already in force across England means all bird keepers across England from 00.01 on November 7, bird keepers must:

People are being asked to register poultry, even if only kept as pets, so Defra can contact them during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if people have 50 or more birds. 

Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon, partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.