Avian Bird Flu

There have been a few confirmed cases of bird flu (in birds) in our county this year and the county has been marked as having an established presence of the disease. I have been wanting to set up an outdoor aviary or at least a cage for Wrangler where he can have some fresh air and sunshine. How do I protect against him contracting the disease? Are there any vaccines, precautions, sprays, etc? Is it contracted through mosquitos only or can one bird pass it to another in some manner (feces, feathers, etc) Suggestions/advice?

coopedup said:

There have been a few confirmed cases of bird flu (in birds) in our county this year and the county has been marked as having an established presence of the disease. I have been wanting to set up an outdoor aviary or at least a cage for Wrangler where he can have some fresh air and sunshine. How do I protect against him contracting the disease? Are there any vaccines, precautions, sprays, etc? Is it contracted through mosquitos only or can one bird pass it to another in some manner (feces, feathers, etc) Suggestions/advice?

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This is very interesting, since the Flight Zones have been very still regarding the presents of Avian Bird Flu this year - both spring and the start of the fall migrations.

Was the cases you are seeing /hearing of in your County with Wild Birds: Ducks /Geese! Farm based: Ducks /Geese /Chickens! Or both?

You say that your County has been marked as having an established presence of the disease. Note: For those members outside of the USA, a County is a large sub-section of a State. Based on that information, you really want to contact your State's AG (Farm) Oversight Agency or Department for specific warnings related to your County.

As far as construction, once you have the specific information from your State /County regarding the warning. They will also have recommended safe guards regarding Pet Birds and outside structures.

Regarding question: Are there any vaccines, precautions, sprays, etc? Is it contracted through mosquitos only or can one bird pass it to another in some manner (feces, feathers, etc) Suggestions/advice?

I am not aware of a specific vaccine for Avian Bird Flu.
There are very well established precautions for preventing the transfer - Your State /County will have several documents on their Websites covering specifics in your State /County.
I have hear of the possible transfer by mosquitos, but the primary transfer is bird /feces /bird transfer. There is also the possibility of transfer by feces dust /feathers.
Suggestions /advise - follow your State /County guidelines! Since each State is somewhat different regarding the presents of Avian Bird Flu, there are different levels of recommendations. If there is a breakout, WHICH THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY NATIONAL LEVEL STATEMENTS! You will be required to follow your States Guidelines. It a breakout did occur, the transport of all Birds (including Pets) would be stopped at the County, State and National levels.

NOTE: NO NATIONAL LEVEL STATEMENTS and NO STATE LEVEL STATEMENT has been released! See your State AG (Farm) Agency or Department for information regarding your State!

Being my paranoid self, I wouldn't trust an outdoor aviary.
The Rbird only gets sun through window screens.
Of course, this means we can only live in houses that have a big room with an Eastern or Western window, with no trees or other barriers to sunlight. Our current house also has olllld glass windows, with no modern sun-protection or energy-saving tints. Who needs to save energy when you're opening windows in the middle of winter, anyway?
I'm just scared of all that wild bird action...

thanks for the info...I hadnt thought of state or county ag agencies. There isnt an outbreak here, but four confirmed cases this year, plus several last year. Ive seen the mosquito monitoring traps around and we have been told to bring all dead birds in for evaluation for the last few years. I guess based on all of this they are just saying its officially in the area, not just a one off instance. Regardless, i want to keep him safe so I'll check with the local agencies (once i figure out who they are!) and see what they say.

coopedup said:

thanks for the info...I hadnt thought of state or county ag agencies. There isnt an outbreak here, but four confirmed cases this year, plus several last year. Ive seen the mosquito monitoring traps around and we have been told to bring all dead birds in for evaluation for the last few years. I guess based on all of this they are just saying its officially in the area, not just a one off instance. Regardless, i want to keep him safe so I'll check with the local agencies (once i figure out who they are!) and see what they say.

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Fastest way is to start at the State Level since everything is regulated at the State level. Your State's Website will get you there the fastest.

The monitoring traps 'may not' be for Avian Bird Flu, but for West Nile and the Zieka (sp) that is just entering our Country.

Please keep us informed! Avian Bird Flu is very dangerous and any early information is helpful to all Parrot owners.

FYI: I had left Turkeys off the list of Farm Birds by error in my earlier Post.


WARNING! Avian Bird Flu is very dangerous! It's kill rate is very near or above 95%. It can rapidly spread from Wild Ducks, Geese and Turkey to Farm Birds and Pet Birds.


2016 Reported Outbreaks in North America Flyways: I did a quick review of reports regarding Avian Flu in the North American Flyways. As of 3 October 2016, the only Flyway report was the Highly Pathogenic H5/N2 Avian Flu that was found in several(?) wild ducks in Alaska (release date: 26 Aug 2016). In addition, there has been 'reports' of Low Path Avian Flu transmitted during the Summer in California Wet Lands - that report was very limited on information; size of infection(s), type of Birds infected and follow-up reporting.

I live in Michgan and last year the state closed all poultry and game bird/waterfowl events because of the avian flu. We live under the flyway and we see flocks of migratory birds so I did lots of research. Our 4-h/MSU extension were very helpful. Bio security is the best defense. In your case it would be having an aviary that was secure from wild birds and designed in a way they couldn't roost or poop into it. Being aware of migration patterns and keeping them in during peak times. Pet bird owners are sometimes lax about taking their birds places, letting others pet them, changing clothing/shoes after being around other birds wild or pets. All that is basic bio security.

I recently had a sick rooster that ended up dying. I had to keep him separate while caring for him and changing clothes between the other outdoor birds but then also when I came in the house protecting the birds inside. There was lots of clothes and boot changing and washing that had to be done. It didn't end up being contagious but still a scare and a wake up to having some contingency plans in place to protect everyone.