What to know about bird flu in greater Gardner: Tips to keep your backyard chickens safe

Eggs are currently a hot commodity; stores have limited supplies, and the price of eggs is the highest they have ever been.

The H5N1 bird flu hitting the poultry industry across the country is to blame for the current egg shortage and increasing egg prices. Although small chicken farms and backyard chicken raisers in the greater Gardner area are not seeing the spread of the bird flu, there are precautions they can take.

While the United States Department of Agriculture is awaiting approval for vaccination against bird flu, Cathy Hansgate, owner of LadyBug Farm Produce in Hubbardston, said chicken runs and coops can keep wildlife out.

“It’s doable to build an enclosed chicken coop and run; it just requires more effort,” she said. “The most cost-effective way to do that is covering the top of your fenced chicken run with netting to prevent wildlife from getting in.”

Is bird flu in Gardner?

According to the USDA and Center for Disease Control bird flu tracker, no outbreaks in commercial poultry have been reported in Worcester County. Hansgate said she has not heard of any bird flu cases in the Hubbardston, Gardner, and Barre area of backyard or small farm chicken raisers having sick flocks.

There have been 13 reports of wild birds dying from bird flu in Worcester County. Hansgate said avoiding contact with wild birds is the best way to keep your chickens healthy. She said if you have other animals and pets on your property, keep them away from wildlife too.

“Make sure your birds have clean water, and if one of them does catch the bird flu, immediately separate it from the rest of your animals,” she said. “It seems like from what I have heard, the bird flu is affecting farmers and wildlife on the East Coast a lot more.”

Mass Wildlife encourages people to report any sightings of dead or sick wild birds through the online form at mass.gov/reportbirds. They also encourage people to report sick or dead pet birds and poultry by calling the Mass Department of Agriculture Resource Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795 or through the online form at mass.gov/reportpoultry.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: How to keep backyard chickens safe from bird flu in greater Gardner

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