HELP STOP AVIAN FLU: TAKE DOWN YOUR BIRD FEEDERS! CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SHARES WHY TAKING DOWN BIRD FEEDERS CAN HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA threat of the disease has passed. It is uncertain as to when it Highly Pathogenic Avian will be safe to put feeders Influenza (HPAI) is a back out, but scientists serious, fatal disease of believe that case loads poultry that is at top of should decrease over mind for many. Since the the summer months. The beginning of the year, it’s highest risk of spreading been identified in over the disease is now, during 630 wild birds in 31 states, the spring migration. That including New York. New said, this is a disease of York has also had eight the colder months, and we cases of HPAI to date in may see cases spike again backyard poultry flocks, during the fall migration. which resulted in the death of 853 birds. It is up For those who have poultry at home, taking to us as good friends and neighbors to help protect down bird feeders is especially important. domestic poultry flocks. Additional ways to protect One of the ways that we can do this is to take down flocks include: our wild bird feeders for a • keeping your flock away from wild birds, little while. especially wild waterfowl While this disease is • keeping people who aren’t responsible for mostly carried by wild poultry care away from waterfowl, research has your flock, and shown that other wild • if you must visit other bird populations can poultry or areas that wild carry it too, especially if birds frequent, change into clean clothing and they share nesting and footwear before entering feeding grounds with poultry housing. wild waterfowl. These This disease can cause populations include unusual deaths and perching birds and songbirds. For this reason, illness in both wild and we are recommending that domestic birds. Concerns about dead or sick wild folks who feed wild birds birds can be directed to and also have poultry at your local Department home or who work with of Environmental poultry take down their Conservation (DEC) bird feeders until the Submitted by Michelle Proscia, Ag Educator
Extension Connection
May 2022
office. Unusual wholeflock illnesses or deaths in poultry can be directed to NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets: 518-457-3502; the United States Department of Agriculture: 866-536-7593; or your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office.
Until the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has passed, Cornell Cooperative Extension recommends that people who either own or work with poultry take down their wild bird feeders. Source: Amy Barkley, Livestock and Beginning Farm Specialist with the SWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program, Accessed March 18, 2022.
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