How Does Avian Flu Spread? Understanding the Risks to Your Flock
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Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, is a serious threat to poultry flocks. The virus spreads quickly, often devastating flocks before symptoms are even noticed. Understanding how HPAI spreads is crucial for preventing infection and protecting your birds.
Let’s break down the three main ways HPAI spreads and what you can do to reduce the risk.
1. Direct Contact: Bird-to-Bird Transmission
How It Spreads:
HPAI spreads easily when infected birds come into direct contact with healthy birds. The virus is shed through:
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Saliva
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Nasal secretions
- Droppings
Since poultry often share food, water, and living spaces, the virus can move quickly through a flock. Even birds that appear healthy can be carriers and infect others before showing symptoms.
Prevention Tip: Avoid mixing new or unknown birds with your flock. If you must introduce new birds, quarantine them for at least 30 days before allowing contact.
2. Indirect Contact: Contaminated Surfaces & Equipment
How It Spreads:
HPAI can survive on surfaces for extended periods, meaning the virus doesn’t need direct bird-to-bird contact to spread. It can linger on:
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Farm equipment & tools
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Clothing & shoes
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Feed bags & water containers
- Vehicles & transport crates
- If someone visits an infected farm or interacts with sick birds, they can unknowingly carry the virus on their hands, boots, or even their car tires—bringing it home to their own flock.
Prevention Tip: Practice strict biosecurity. Disinfect boots, tools, and hands before and after handling birds. Keep a separate pair of shoes for your coop area and avoid visiting other poultry farms.
3. Wild Birds: The Hidden Carriers
How It Spreads:
Wild birds—especially ducks, geese, and other migratory waterfowl—are the primary carriers of HPAI. They can carry and shed the virus without appearing sick, making them a major risk to backyard and commercial flocks.
Wild birds spread HPAI by:
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Contaminating water sources with droppings
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Flying over poultry farms and backyards
- Sharing food with domestic birds
Prevention Tip: Keep feed and water covered and away from wild birds. Avoid attracting wildfowl by removing standing water and securing your coop and run.
Protect Your Flock: Stop the Spread
The best way to keep your flock safe from HPAI is to be proactive:
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Limit exposure to outside birds and poultry keepers
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Disinfect tools, boots, and hands regularly
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Keep wild birds away from food and water
- Quarantine new birds for at least 30 days
If you suspect HPAI in your flock, act quickly by isolating sick birds and contacting the USDA hotline at 1-866-536-7593.
Want to learn more about avian influenza? Check out our complete HPAI guide here!
Stay safe & keep your flock healthy!
1 comment
Question: Before this bird flu outbreak – I would regularly provide – for enrichment – small piles of dead leaves to my chickens ( who are in an enclosed yard with netting) . Should I now stop doing this because of the threat of bird flu outbreak- I am in northern NY. TIA
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My Pet Chicken:
With the ongoing concerns around avian influenza (bird flu), it’s smart to be cautious. While leaf piles are a fantastic source of natural enrichment, they can carry a slight risk if they’re accessible to wild birds or contaminated by droppings. Wild birds, especially waterfowl, are known carriers of avian influenza, and the virus can be present in their feces and saliva, which can linger on surfaces like leaves or soil.
During these times of uncertainity, you may want to consider some indoor alternatives such as hanging cabbage heads or stuffed treat balls; offer treats hidden in straw or clean shavings for them to scratch through or make some safe forage trays!
We’re all walking the line between keeping our birds stimulated and keeping them safe, and it’s okay to adjust enrichment routines when there’s an increased risk. You’re clearly a thoughtful flock keeper—if you ever want help brainstorming more biosecurity-friendly enrichment options, we are here to help!