The highly pathogenic avian influenza – HPAI or avian flu – remains a threat to backyard flocks across the state.
Cases were detected in three Lincoln County flocks on March 15, March 17 and March 30. According to a news release by Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF), those flocks were placed under quarantine and “humane depopulation efforts have been completed.”
In an interview in late March, Dan Sullivan, owner of Broad Arrow Farm in Bristol, said he will be watching the headlines.
“We don’t have chickens in the pasture over the winter because there’s usually snow on the ground,” said Sullivan, adding the farm’s winter flock is about 150 laying hens, which supply eggs to be sold in the farm store.
“One place they could contract avian flu is through contact with wild birds,” said Sullivan.
DACF advises both commercial and backyard flock owners to keep birds inside, according to its website.
Sullivan said there are bigger flocks in the area; Broad Arrow is primarily a livestock farm. Still, the farm is practicing safety measures, including regular practices like switching footwear when interacting with the birds.
He also noted bird swaps among homesteaders and smaller flock owners. Sullivan said he didn’t think people would – or should – be doing that at this time.
In a statement to Maine Public Broadcasting Network, DACF spokesman Jim Britt advised homesteaders not to swap birds and to purchase them from a reputable source.
“If the (avian flu) invades your flock, you’re in trouble,” said Sullivan.
But Sullivan said he would be much more concerned if it were May or June, when the farm receives their order of turkeys, which they will raise for the year.
“We’ll be paying very close attention until then,” said Sullivan.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, as of March 30 in Maine, 11 backyard flocks and 843 total birds have been affected across five counties during this outbreak. The flocks have all been non-commercial.
Birds infected with the avian flu are euthanized, as there is no treatment or cure. Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) continues to recommend that flock owners keep their birds indoors or otherwise separated from wild birds.
Report sick birds or unusual bird deaths either through the state veterinarian or through U.S. Department of Agriculture’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
