Anna, Burschi, Charlotte, Grisy, Rosa, Schneeweißchen, Charly and Liesa
One more small flock of chickens at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
The owners’ careers continue in Greece, and so they asked for Anna to be included, Burschi, Charlotte, Grisy, Rosa, Schneeweißchen, Charly und Liesa.
In a few weeks, hopefully, the obligation to keep poultry indoors due to bird flu will be lifted again – let’s see. So now Anna, Burschi, Charlotte, Grisy, Rosa, Snow White, Charly and Liesa settled in the big poultry tent with all our chickens, until it, according to the veterinary office in Flachgaumeans “All chickens to the meadows!”.
Bird "flu" or avian influenza
Fowl plague is a disease of birds caused by influenza viruses and spread by migratory birds.
Is this disease transmitted to mammals and to humans? Mammals can become infected with the virus through increased contact with infected poultry. Transmission through food is not possible. According to AGES, the risk of transmission to humans is low.
If dead waterfowl or birds of prey are found, this must be reported immediately to the official veterinarian. Under no circumstances should the dead birds be touched or removed from the site where they were found. This is done by the authorities with the appropriate protective tools.
"Transmission through food is excluded ..."
Poultry farmers with fewer than 50 chickens are exempt from the obligation to keep their animals indoors. Poultry farms are constantly inspected, so there are no sick animals to eat. Pets cannot become infected, but care should be taken to ensure that a dog, for example, does not pounce on the carcass of a dead bird.
The first positive case of an infected grey goose was registered in the Salzburg region at the beginning of February 2023. Since then, poultry farmers with more than 50 birds have had to keep their feathered animals indoors.
How are the Aiderbichler ducks, geese, chickens and cockerels doing?
When temperatures rise again in the coming weeks, it is hoped that the compulsory stall can be lifted, as the risk of infection for poultry will also decrease again as temperatures rise.
Poultry living in areas at risk of bird flu must be kept indoors and can “get some fresh air” in aviaries or enclosures, provided these enclosures are protected by tarpaulins so that no contamination from wild birds reaches the chickens. If you want to create a lot of space, you can keep the chickens in large pavilion tents – there is room to run and explore. Setting up sandboxes allows the chickens, geese and ducks to scratch and bathe as they please.
The chatter is missing at the farm
Let’s hope that the compulsory stabling can be lifted as soon as possible so that all the ducks, geese, hens and cockerels can feel the sun again and a goose can nip me in the waddle here and there.
Pandemics such as bird flu should make people think: nature is a very sensitive system, and disrespectful behaviour towards it can cause everything to totter.
“We are happy that we have found a home at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf!” – said Anna, Burschi, Charlotte, Grisy, Rosa, Schneeweißchen, Charly and Liesa. “Nevertheless, it’s about time that all feathered animals can run around on free meadows again.”
People should not only consider the enormous economic damage that such diseases can cause. It is not just about the production of free-range eggs, whose profits will collapse if the risk of disease persists. Financial damage cannot be the top priority, because: Nature is everyone’s habitat, which is facing ever more far-reaching dangers due to all the environmental threats.
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Stop and think about what you can do better yourself, …. where are the causes of epidemics that threaten humans, animals and nature? There is no medicine for such threats. The sat nav would now say: “If possible, please turn round!”. The idea that bird flu will be contained for a while in a few weeks is not the solution. The disease will come back. The solution must be: how can we bring the natural system back into harmony?
Simple to think about and rethink.
Sincerely, Your Gisela.
Only when the last tree has been cleared, the last river is poisoned, the last fish is caught, will you realise that you can't eat money.
~ Wisdomof the Cree
