B.C. poultry producers and homeowners with backyard chicken coops are being advised to keep their hens inside, following an outbreak of bird flu in the Okanagan.
"With the recent confirmation of avian influenza in several provinces and U.S. states, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has been working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and B.C. poultry producers to ensure enhanced prevention and preparedness measures are being taken to protect poultry flocks in B.C.,” B.C. Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham said in a news release.’
"Despite these efforts, the CFIA has confirmed the presence of avian influenza at a farm in the Regional District of North Okanagan.
"All poultry producers, including backyard poultry owners, are advised to increase their biosecurity practices and to be vigilant and monitor for signs of avian influenza in their flocks.”
Vancouver allows homeowners to keep up to four hens (but no roosters). As of January 2022, they were required to renew their permits to keep backyard hens annually specifically so that the city can keep track of urban poultry in the event of a disease outbreak.
Aviation flu does not usually pose a risk to human health, but can result in poultry farmers having to euthanize flocks. More than 200,000 chickens have been euthanized in Canada to date.
"The public health risk is extremely low and there is no risk to food safety,” Popham said.
Large poultry producers already keep chickens indoors. But those with free-range chickens are now being ordered to also keep their hens indoors.
"To further protect farmers and prevent the spread of avian influenza in B.C., the deputy chief veterinarian has issued an order requiring all commercial poultry flocks in the province with more than 100 birds to be moved indoors until the spring migration ends in May,” Popham said.
