RSPCA Assured offers help for farmers facing bird flu

Additional biosecurity during farm assessments and tips for bird welfare during housing orders are part of an offer being given to poultry producers by RSPCA Assured, open to both Assured and non-Assured members this winter as outbreak numbers continue to rise in the UK.

RSPCA Assured says the flexible approach means that in certain circumstances, such as where there’s a compulsory housing order or a farm is within a 10km or 3km avian influenza control zone, there are alternative options members may be able to choose instead of an in-person assessment, such as a desktop or virtual visit.

The announcement comes as a protection zone was set up following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in the Kirriemuir area of Angus, Scotland.

The UK’s chief veterinary officer introduced a mandatory housing order for the region, covering East Yorkshire, Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk at the turn of the year following highly pathogenic cases in East Yorkshire and Norfolk.

“Sadly, we’re all facing a new reality of increased avian influenza outbreaks and we know this is very concerning and stressful for our members,” said an RSPCA Assured spokesperson. “So, we’ve been in touch with our poultry members about the additional biosecurity measures we’ll continue to take when carrying out in-person assessments, and the available alternatives, which we hope they’ll find reassuring.”

RSPCA Assured assessors will follow each site’s specific biosecurity procedures alongside its own stringent measures, which include:

• Using foot drops, sanitising facilities and wearing foot coverings.
• Carrying FFP3 face masks and disposable gloves in case they are needed.
• If moving between sheds, the assessor will follow the members’ lead on where to take off and put on additional PPE.
• At the end of the visit, the assessor will remove all PPE in the outer bio-secure area and return it to the farmers for disposal.
• If the assessor has parked a vehicle on the main site, they will spray the wheels immediately after the last gate as they leave.

RSPCA Assured has also introduced some tips for improving the welfare of flocks during restricted access to the range, which include:

• Extra enrichment inside sheds. This can help birds perform important foraging behaviour. For example, lucerne or alfalfa hanging in hay nets or pecking blocks offer birds a reward for interacting with them.
• Additional litter space. This can reduce stocking density in the house and provide more enrichment areas.
• To avoid introducing avian influenza into the shed, remember to check enrichments are clean and have been stored under a cover.
• Introducing materials with fine particles can encourage birds to dust bathe while living indoors.