The Kitchen Garden

November/December 2005

The press and authorities thunder on with their deliberations on bird flu. God knows, we all hope nothing will come of it, but I'm worried our birds might fall victim to well-intentioned bureaucracy, rather than disease and be sacrificed in some fevered cleansing, (as many perfectly healthy animals were during the foot and mouth epidemic).

Practically, what can we do to protect our hens? Well, according to Defra (www.gov.uk/defra) the threat will come from wild birds, mostly from their faeces, but also from droplets from infected lungs, so to protect hens from infection – keep them undercover – if and when the disease reaches your area .

Short term this would not be a problem to most people, long term it would probably affect the health and wellbeing of birds and make them more susceptible to disease. But, for your own peace of mind, have somewhere in reserve where you could keep them for a period that would satisfy the authorities. Have you got a large shed, garage, polytunnel or greenhouse straight on to open ground? Obviously your flock will need light and ventilation – sections and doors could be replaced with fine gauge netting. Alternatively, invest in a fruitcage and screw rigid plastic sheets (for use in conservatories) onto the top.

Contact Agriframes on 01983 209 209 or Knowle Nets on 01308 458 186 for their catalogues. The former do a 7.5 metre square fruitcage for under £500. Not cheap, but useful for garden use in other ways. It is possible that these scares will re-emerge each year.

Here's hoping for a happy and healthy winter.