I have been asked by many people to give my opinion on the Bird Flu. I do not subscribe to the mainstream media narrative and there are a huge number of reasons why I have taken an opposing view. Thus I have not cooperated with any media outlets requesting my input because they have been looking for information that I can directly refute.


WHAT HAPPENED IN THE UK?

Lets start with the Avian Influenza outbreak that occurred in the UK around about 2005.
We can track how the UK government reacted to the alleged outbreak and what measures they put into place for all poultry owners.

What it produced was a more severe death count of poultry due to the choice of lock down measures.

What caused this? Poultry owners where not permitted to allow their flock to free-range, instead they had to keep them confined to a run or inside of a shed.

The run needed to plastic wrapped to keep out potential disease that was airborne or carried by wild birds. If locked inside of a shed, that too had to be draught free with no wild bird access.

The problem with that was that stopping airflow means that the chickens poos which contain urates built up in their enclosure and thus killed more hens that way than the actual Avian Flu.

That is why I always recommend chicken owners to install more windows in their homemade coops; that can regulate airflow - opening or closing as needed.

When chickens come out into the fresh air, all flu-like symptoms that urate inhalation causes clears up quickly. BUT if the chickens are kept in there with no fresh air at all, the walls become damp and then chickens begin to die.

Now you can see where my opposition to the narrative begins.

The SECONDARY part of the government's scheme was to then track all poultry ownership.
Everyone who owned any type of poultry was required to register their flock numbers and types.


WHAT ABOUT AUSTRALIA?

Australia has had small reported pockets of outbreaks of the virus too over many years, which did not become a larger outbreak. These alleged outbreaks occurred in Victoria and New South Wales, consistently. Oddly, not so in the far northern states where migratory birds are most likely to land first. (And remember, its a sick bird that's trying to fly thousands of kilometers)

Its not a new thing, in other words.

You can bet your bottom dollar that the Australian government would like to have a registry created for all poultry ownership too, like the UK. (There is a purpose to that)

But suddenly the World Health Organisation has suddenly made it a very severe situation that will affect all nations, and practically all at the same time, which should cause a thinking person to be a little more alert to the narrative that is playing out. Always ask questions. WHY?


HAS ANYBODY EVER DIED FROM AVIAN/BIRD FLU?

While there have been cases of avian influenza (bird flu) in the UK, it’s true that no human deaths directly attributed to bird flu have been reported there. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this:

1. Strain Variability: Bird flu viruses come in different strains, and their impact on humans varies. The H5N1 strain, for instance, has caused severe illness and fatalities in some countries, but it hasn’t led to widespread outbreaks in the UK. Other strains, like H7N9, have also infected humans but with a lower mortality rate.
2. Transmission Challenges: Bird flu primarily spreads from birds to humans. Most cases occur in people who have close contact with infected poultry or their environments. In the UK, strict biosecurity measures in commercial poultry farms and surveillance programs help prevent large-scale outbreaks.
3. Human Immune Response: While bird flu can infect humans, our immune systems often respond effectively. Most cases result in mild symptoms or even asymptomatic infections. However, the risk remains, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
4. Vigilance and Preparedness: The UK’s health authorities closely monitor bird flu outbreaks, promptly culling infected birds, and implementing preventive measures. This vigilance helps prevent widespread transmission to humans.

In summary, while bird flu is a real concern for poultry and global health, the UK’s proactive measures have prevented human fatalities. Vigilance and preparedness remain crucial to maintaining this track record. 🦆🦠 : World Health Organization (WHO). “Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus.” Link) : Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “Avian Influenza: Frequently Asked Questions.” Link


CONCLUSION

Question the media and WHO news stories.
Stay vigilant and alert.
What exactly is H5N1? Its a sequence not an actual virus. (Check this one out in your research)
Research the agenda plans that the WHO and WEF have in place for the nations up to 2030. If the bird flu has not caused human deaths, then do not consent to medical interventions that are not required.
And keep asking WHY.. 

I notice that many people ask me questions through the blog posts. Many are quite complicated to answer in a few short lines. Email me directly through the Contact page if you would like a quick answer to your problems.

I do not always update blog comments quickly, so if your issue is quite urgent, then escalate it to an email.

I will do my best to answer your questions as speedily as I can.

Please check through my blog topics in case I have already answered that type of question before.

​Thanks everyone.

IS EVERY BACKYARD CONTAMINATED?
No, not every location is contaminated but we need to be aware of the history of the location before making that decision.

WHAT HOMES ARE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE CONTAMINATED SOIL?
There are a few alarm bells to be aware of:
1. Was it previously an industrial worksite/zone? Any close by industries such as car manufacturing.
2. Was it a dump filled in?
3. Is it close to a railway line?
4. Is there lead or asbestos used in the construction of home?
5. Is it close to a major highway/main road with heavy use?
6. Is bore water being used for irrigation?

I have come across a number of places around Adelaide as a pet sitter where my clients have definitely had an issue with soil contaminates and had to give up keeping chickens at their address. Many moved rather than give up "the girls".

HOW DO CHICKENS GET POISONED FROM THE SOIL?
Chickens are forages, they naturally scratch and dust bathe. Over time, soil disturbances exposes the hens to any toxins lurking in the yard. They eat bugs that are dwelling in the soil who have also been exposed to the contaminates.

​This is not only a danger to poultry, but also to dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. All of them will spend time in creating some soil disturbance and can pick it up through foot pad exposure and through grazing.

BUT THERE IS ONE MORE ASPECT you need to be aware of and that is growing edible plants for you and your family. That same soil can affect your health. If you do have a soil contamination issue, you will not be able to grow any edible fruit or vegetable directly in your soil. Opt for container/raised bed gardening as a solution.

Ultimately, if you are eating your chickens' eggs or meat, you will experience secondary exposure to soil contaminates. Egg fertility might also be affected for hatching chicks.

CAN THE SOIL BE FIXED?
If you can excavate the top soil to a very large extent and bring in clean fill, that may work. But that can be the most expensive solution. It is easier to move than to excavate to be honest. Your health and the health of your pets is a priority.

BUT I WANT TO KEEP MY POULTRY AT MY ADDRESS, WHAT CAN I DO?
The best solution is to provide a solid concrete floor to the entire coop and run area to keep them off of the soil. Provide dust bathing areas with a mix a clean fill such as loamy soil with some sand or wood ash. Pinterest has many great ideas on creating dust bathing areas.


HOW DO WE GET THE SOIL TESTED?
Yes it can be done and it is not as expensive as you might think.

At the time of publication of this article:

360 DUST ANALYSIS can test your garden soil or even the dust inside your house for around $20.
Its all about citizen science, analysing Australian backyards through Macquarie University.
Results take about 3-5 weeks to process.
Jump straight to submit here.

Another very handy website to use is Map My Environment where you can see soil sample results from other home owners in your area.

For those who advise adding Levamisole (worming product) - Kilverm, Nilverm, Avitrol etc to treats such as bread or porridge, it's really not an appropriate way to dose a medication, a drug, a chemical which is supposed to be dosed according to individual weight.

The risk of adding it to treats is that the dominant birds may overdose and those lower in the pecking order may miss out or under dose.

This study was done on goats but may well apply to poultry - and just because you do it this way and your birds are ok, doesn't mean that it's good practice.

Poultry do have a much higher tolerance to overdosing than do goats but it is still not a suitable method to dispense it.
Levamizole toxity has been seen in Angora goats due to overdosing.

The symptoms appear very quickly and it has been known for an Angora goat farmer to see symptoms while still dosing a flock of Angoras.

Symptoms may appear 5-15 minutes after dosing but usually peak after 30 minutes.

The general off label dose of anthelmintic advised in goats is 1.5-2X that of the sheep dose.

Levamizole has a narrow toxic range compared to most anthelmintics and so should be used with care in Angora goats. Toxic levels may be reached at 4x (some authors suggest 2x) the therapeutic dose. In Angora goats, oral doses of 35 mg/kg (usual therapeutic dose ~8 mg/kg) may cause toxicity. A 10X dose will cause death. The cases where deaths have occurred in Angora goats have been associated with those doses that are reconstituted from powder form and the farmer has made a decimal point dilution error resulting in 10x overdose.
​
Toxic Symptoms caused by Levamisole Poisoning:

• Restlessness, hyperactivity
• hypersalivation (drooling),
• abdominal pain, colic,
• diarrhea, hiccups
• bradycardia (low heart rate), collapse.
• dyspnea (difficult breathing), tachypnea (rapid breathing).
• Nervous symptoms: miosis (contraction of the pupil), spasms, cramps, trembling,
• Depression
• In extreme cases death can follow within 1 hour after administration due to respiratory failure.

The symptoms can appear after 5-15 minutes and also resolve fast (1- 6 hours).
www.angoras.co.za/article/levamizole-toxicity

Being an advocate of the use of Ivermectin on chickens to treat mites, I have learnt that the application time is key.

This is based on the veterinary advice to not consume eggs from treated birds for up to 14 days (2 weeks). EGG WITHHOLD

So you can imagine the idea of horror that fills a chicken owner's mind when we are told to "bin the eggs". 

Since mites are the most active in the warmer months there is a sweet spot in the calendar that makes it a bit more bearable, in particular for those of us who own heritage hens rather than hybrids. Heritage hens have a laying cycle that has a rest period, unlike the hybrids who usually lay all year round.

So this is more good news for HERITAGE chicken owners (sorry Hybrid owners).

Around March, most hens slow down or stop laying due to the moulting season.
You know the one, where you come home to find feathers are everywhere in the yard and you fear a fox attack has occurred, or at least someone had an awesome pillow fight.

When moulting begins, egg laying ceases and usually mites are at their worst at this time.

Its chicken coop cleaning time. I mean a BIG ONE!
If you apply Ivermectin, you need to take the whole process seriously so that mites can be fully eradicated.


HOW IS IVERMECTIN APPLIED?
By a single drop on the back of the neck of each hen.
Part the feathers to drop onto the skin.
Just as you would do for a dog or cat.

HOW MUCH IS GIVEN?
It is based on the formulation of the Pour On.
You will need to weigh your hens, find an average and your vet will calculate the amount of what makes "a drop".
Some formulations are more watered down, so a drawback syringe is recommended for measurement application.

HOW DO I CATCH MY CHICKENS TO PUT IT ON?
Wait until evening when they all jump up onto their roosting rails for the night.
Grab a friend if you need an extra hand, but you might find it easy enough to do on your own.
They do not need to be lifted off of the perch (if they have mites they will then get onto you), just part their neck feathers, place the drop and you are done.

IS IVERMECTIN ALSO USED FOR WORMING?
For many years I was led to believe it was not, but on researching into further studies, it shows it is also a wormer.



ALL ADVICE GIVEN is for Australians only.
Please seek veterinary advice before administering medications to your poultry to ensure their best dosage. Overdosing could occur and be more harmful than good.

Dear International Reader,

Please understand that my website is strictly for Australian poultry owners. I will not respond to any comments, emails or bookings from Countries outside of Australia. I immediately delete those messages.

I will not give you medical or product advice because your Country's products are very different to what we have in Australia. Our practices are also very different. My information is Australian based only. I also cannot help you with finding any work. I am not an employment agency.

I encourage you to please find people within your own Country that have good poultry knowledge. 

​Thank you kindly.

Just to let all my clients know that I am returning to full time Horticulture studies the rest of 2021, into 2022. This means that I will only be able to look after one client per day DURING THE TERM due to my attendance at college.

BUT DO NOT FEAR
​During school holidays and most weekends, I will still be available for multiple client bookings for the south of Adelaide.
​Please see my ABOUT page for a map of the area that I cover.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

​Noisy roosters can be quietened down by the use of a rooster collar. It will not stop a rooster from crowing but can reduce the level of the sound he makes. This works by restricting the amount of air he can draw in when attempting to crow.

The effectiveness of a rooster collar will depend on the breed and the correct or incorrect positioning of the collar.

Different brands can make a difference.
The NO CROW collars are wider and have a breathable mesh.
The COCK COLLARS are all one piece of velcro but are more beneficial on the short neck breeds, but not exclusively.

Rooster Collars need to be checked on regularly as boys grow. If there is any purpling of the comb, loosen slightly or give him days off from the collar. Long term use of a rooster collar is not recommended as it can lead to permanent damage or premature death.

​My recommendation is to try both and see which one works best for you.

Before using a rooster collar, explore the message boards on poultry websites for tips to see if using a rooster collar is right for you.

Open wider collars to facilitate good airflow. Ideal for medium to large breeds.

In Adelaide, try:

Keelans Grain & Fodder
​

​MITES! If you are a chicken owner then I have probably scared you. And you probably know the problem of mites in the coop and those ON YOU.

For those new to chicken ownership, many go down the rout of trying as many natural products as possible in their coop and on their hens.

However, there are many NATURAL products that are just as toxic if not worse than the commercial chemical product.

​Are all oils safe for chickens?
​I recommend checking out the Chicken Whisperer's website, Facebook page and magazine where he expertly delves into the facts behind using oils, their claims and results.
​

GOOD NEWS FIRST
I highly recommend using Tea Tree Oil on humans....only. Externally only.

When you are tackling the cleaning of mite infested chicken shed and pest dusting or medicating the chickens, you will inevitably get mites on you. They are so small that you will not be able to find them all. You might even notice them walking across your phone screen!

Immediately change out of your coop cleaning clothes and put them on a hot wash. Have a hot soapy shower to try to remove mites from your body so as to minimise transferring mites into your home furnishings - particularly your bed.

After you shower, apply Tea Tree Oil liberally over parts of your body.

The most common places mites will bite a human are (apply tea tree oil to these parts):

• groin
• torso sides
• behind your knees
• around your ankles
• arm pits and the surrounding area

If you have mites in your bed, it will help reduce bites throughout the night.
TIP: Get a HOT iron and iron your mattress and sheets before bed to kill any mites in there.

​
NOW, THE BAD NEWS
NEVER apply Tea Tree Oil on your poultry!
Because chickens have an oil preening glad, then need to preen daily to keep their feathers healthy.
They do this by using their beak.

If you apply Tea Tree OIL (like preening oil), it can be picked up by the beak and ingested.

Tea Tree Oil is considered to be toxic when taken by mouth.
This applies to birds, animals and humans.

Consuming Tea Tree Oil can cause such side effects, as such:

• confusion
• vomiting
• inability to walk
• unsteadiness
• rash
• coma

Reference: ​https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-113/tea-tree-oil
Reference: https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2016/09/potentially-harmful-toxic-herbs-for-chickens.html​


MYTH BUSTING
Even though Tea Tree Oil is genuinely effective in reducing mite bites on you, it does NOT kill a mite, per se.
Mites just hate the smell more than anything. They might even find a part of your body that doesn't have oil on it for a feast.

Over time, with good hygiene techniques, frequent sheet changes, vacuuming, washing, maybe even a headlice treatment, we notice that the mites are not around any more.

If their supply of food is cut off, and they are not within a colony to keep reproducing, they do die out.
So we cannot claim the Tea Tree Oil eradicated the mites. It just reduced their activity of biting us (their food source).

Apply this to the chicken coop now:
#1 It does not KILL the mites
#2 It would be a very expensive job to use enough tea tree oil to cover all the spaces
#3 Tea Tree Oil is TOXIC to chickens that use their beaks for exploring everything
#4 Why not use something that will be genuinely effective the first time round, and save yourself some money?


NATURAL IS NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVE
Just like milk, strawberries and peanuts are all natural things, people can have severe allergic reactions to these.

Mites need to be hit HARD the first time. And then we keep on hitting them hard.

​
I recommend using:

• Inca Malaban Wash
• Maldison 50

Use as coop spray (once all materials have been removed and cleaned).
And then paint on Malaban/Maldisan onto the night time roosting perches. Mites are most active there.
Always do this in the morning so that the coop has time to fully dry out before the hens go in for the night.

The hens MUST be treated with either Pestene dust or Ivermectin from your vet on the same day, otherwise they bring the mites back in (which they will, but we need to repeat spray).

If you need to, you can submerge your hens, one by one, in a solution of Maldison in luke warm water. Mites will rise to the top of the white water, dead. Keep their heads above water. Do not ever let the solution get onto their faces. Only do this if you are unable to get hold of the other products or the infestation is so severe that there is no other option.

Follow up with a touch up over the next few weeks.


Remember, the Tea Tree Oil is just for use on YOU...externally only. 

I am truly honoured to be featured in the Feb/March 2021 issue of Australasian Poultry magazine. (Pages 6-8)

Here's to hoping that I have inspired others to become poultry pet sitters, because if you do, I can certainly throw work your way if you are located in the North or the Adelaide Hills. I'm just one person and I can't be every where.

In the article, I talk about the importance of biosecurity when going from one property to another as well as what inspired my start up.

With more and more people adding chickens to their gardens as either an alternative or complimentary pet, chicken pet sitting is on the rise and needs people who not only love to care for other people's chickens but are really knowledgeable. Clients will ask a hundred questions the moment you arrive to meet them. If you love talking about chickens, then you will certainly be inspired to give it ago. I always recommend poultry pet sitting to those who are looking to get back into the workforce but are not fully ready for a job that takes them away from home hours at a time.

My lovely girls feature throughout the article. For that reason alone, its worth grabbing a copy.

AVAILABLE at all newsagents Australiawide. Order it in if they do not have it or grab a subscription so you never miss an issue.

Australasian Poultry magazine Facebook page can be found here.

I always get so many enquiries about where to buy chickens from. The very best place to find chickens available now throughout Adelaide and the southern surrounds is through my Facebook page. Most of the chickens for sale are available at fodder stores, but occasionally I will promote private breeders.

ADELAIDE CHICKEN SITTING SERVICE Facebook Page

If there is a breed you are specifically looking for, please message me and I will see if I can help.

Meanwhile, I ALWAYS recommend that you also visit the poultry listings on: www.backyardpoultry.com/noticeboard
It is there that you can search for breeders/sellers in your state.
You can also post POULTRY WANTED there, too.

This should help to get you started.

PLEASE NOTE: My Facebook Page is a little difficult to locate as FB will not issue me a handle for my page. This is because I lost my previous account and had to rebuild. So make sure you follow the link above to get to my page.

I'm often asked about urban foxes. Yes, they do live in Adelaide. In fact, they are more prevalent in SA than any other state which is why every poultry owner should make sure that their yard is secure. Having neighbours with outside dogs in the suburbs is a great help to keep foxes away.
​
For more information, visit this website:
http://www.thefoxwebsite.net/populations/australia