News released today from Defra is that the legal requirement to keep all poultry housed is being rescinded from midnight 1st May. As we'll be in bed at that time, sometime later on 2nd May we will open up the enclosed areas to allow the chickens a free run again. A number of biosecurity arrangements will still need to be in place but these are ones we adhere to anyway.
There was in fact another outbreak of avian flu in Derbyshire just a couple of days ago but the frequency of cases is clearly slowing down. Perhaps there were also commercial considerations too in informing the timing of the decision.
Avian flu this winter has been at unprecedented levels in the UK and the risk, all be it much reduced, persists. It does not bode well for next winter and we will certainly be thinking how we can better manage a poultry lockdown next time round.
I am SO pleased! At 9. 30pm last night our neighbour called to ask if we could lend him a couple of eggs. I fetched two, and he said "I'll replace them tomorrow, what sort do you usually have?" And I automatically replied "free range from the farm up the road" Our farmer had had to put up a sign apologising that currently his birds are not F-R. I do hope his hens and his sales have not suffered. At least they have not had to wear masks and socially distance!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your farmer up the road will be very relieved too. Good that you are supporting a local producer.
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