Avian Flu In Chickens: What You Need To Know

Avian flu, more commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects many types of birds, including domestic chickens. In recent years, outbreaks across the UK have become more frequent and severe, leading to compulsory housing orders, tighter biosecurity rules, and the unfortunate loss of many backyard flocks.

If you keep chickens, even just a few in the garden, it’s vital to understand how avian flu spreads, what signs to look for, and what your responsibilities are under UK law. This guide explains everything you need to know to help keep your birds safe and ensure you stay compliant.

What is avian flu?

Avian flu is caused by strains of the influenza A virus. There are two types to be aware of:

• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): This is the more serious form. It spreads quickly and causes severe illness or sudden death in chickens and other poultry.
• Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI): This form causes milder respiratory symptoms and often goes unnoticed, but it can still spread and mutate into more dangerous strains.

Waterfowl such as ducks, swans and geese often carry the virus without becoming ill. Unfortunately, that makes it easy for the disease to enter domestic flocks without warning.

Signs and symptoms to watch for

Birds infected with HPAI often deteriorate quickly. In some cases, you may find a bird has died suddenly with no prior warning. ||At other times, symptoms will appear across the flock.

Common signs of avian flu in chickens include:

• Sudden or unexplained death
• Swollen head, comb or wattles, sometimes with a bluish tint
• Lethargy, unresponsiveness or lying down
• Twisting of the head or neck
• Lack of coordination or dragging legs
• Drooping wings or shaking movements
• Closed, runny or sunken eyes
• Coughing, sneezing, rattling or gurgling noises
• Breathing with the mouth open (gaping)
• Reduced appetite and water consumption
• Loose or greenish droppings
• Sharp drop in egg production

Redness or bruising may also appear on the legs or under the skin of the neck, especially in lighter-skinned birds. Keep in mind that some species, such as ducks, may show no signs at all but can still spread the disease.

If any of these signs appear in your flock, speak to a vet and report the case immediately. Avian flu can only be confirmed through laboratory testing.

What to do if you suspect avian flu

If you suspect avian flu in your chickens or other captive birds, you must report it without delay. This applies even if the symptoms seem mild or affect just one bird.

To report suspected avian flu:

• In England: call 03000 200 301
• In Wales: call 03003 038 268
• In Scotland: contact your local Field Services Office
• In Northern Ireland: call 0300 200 7840

You or your vet must notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). This is a legal requirement. If you do not report it, you are breaking the law.

Once you’ve made a report:

• Do not move any birds on or off your premises
• Avoid handling sick or dead birds unnecessarily
• Keep visitors away and minimise contact with other flocks

What to do with dead hens

Sadly, avian flu can have high mortality rates, especially the HPAI variant. If a bird dies, contact APHA immediately to get advice on the next steps. This may include sending the bird for testing or giving you instructions on safe disposal. Do not touch, move or bury the carcass until you’ve received this guidance. Improper disposal risks spreading the disease and may be against the law.

Keep the area around the bird secure and restrict access to the rest of your flock, as well as to other animals, birds and people. If you’ve already had contact with the carcass, change and wash your clothes, wash your hands thoroughly, and disinfect any surfaces or equipment that may have been contaminated.

Understanding the AIPZ: Legal biosecurity requirements

When cases of avian flu are detected in the UK, the government may declare an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). This means that every poultry keeper, including small-scale and backyard owners, must follow strict biosecurity rules.

Typical AIPZ biosecurity rules include:

If a housing order is in force, you must keep your birds indoors or under covered netting to prevent contact with wild birds. Always check current restrictions on the official GOV.UK website.

In addtion you must:

• Separate ducks and geese from chickens and other poultry
• Prevent access to ponds, standing water or areas frequented by wild birds
• Keep feed, water and bedding in enclosed, clean areas
• Use foot dips with Defra-approved disinfectant at entrances
• Wear clean footwear and clothing when tending birds
• Clean and disinfect hard surfaces and equipment regularly
• Discourage wild birds using deterrents such as scarecrows or spike strips
• Remove any wild bird droppings, feathers or carcasses immediately
• Fence off or net vulnerable areas, including ponds and feeders

These rules are not just recommendations. If you are in an AIPZ, you are legally required to comply.

Housing orders

During a housing order, chickens must be kept indoors or in fully netted runs that prevent all contact with wild birds and their droppings. Even outside of a housing order, it’s wise to keep your flock separated from wild waterfowl and avoid free-ranging during high-risk periods.

If your coop has a run attached, make sure it is fully roofed or netted and cleaned regularly. Remove standing water and protect feed stations from wild access. If your run is under trees on which wild birds may perch, a netted roof will not be sufficient to prevent droppings from getting into the run. You may need to purchase a chicken run cover to keep your flock safe.

What will happen if there is an outbreak in my flock?

If avian flu is confirmed in your flock, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will step in to contain the outbreak. This means your premises will be placed under restriction, and the movement of birds, eggs, feed and equipment will be banned. Sadly, in most cases, it means all your flock will be humanely culled to stop the virus from spreading.

Once birds are removed, APHA will then oversee the full disinfection of your site. You may also be asked to provide records of bird deaths, egg production and movement history. Restrictions will remain in place for several weeks, and you won’t be allowed to get new chickens until APHA confirms your premises is safe.

Do you need to register your flock?

Yes. Regardless of how many hens you have, all backyard chicken keepers in the UK are required to register their flocks with APHA within one month of getting the birds. This ensures APHA can contact you during an outbreak and enables rapid disease control.

You can register online by visiting this GOV.UK page.

Can chickens be vaccinated against avian flu?

Not currently. In the UK, routine vaccination of poultry against avian flu is not permitted. The only exception is for some zoo birds, and even then, it requires special permission from APHA. The reason for the decision is that the vaccination does not prevent infection or the spreading of the disease; however, as it can lessen symptoms, it can make avian flu harder to detect and thus contribute to wider infections.

For backyard keepers, prevention through biosecurity is the only available defence.

Is avian flu dangerous to people?

According to the UK Health Security Agency, the risk to humans from the current strains of bird flu is very low. Cases in people are extremely rare and usually involve direct contact with infected birds.

The Food Standards Agency confirms that it is safe to eat properly cooked poultry and eggs, even during outbreaks. Just follow normal food hygiene practices as you would anyway.

Final thoughts

Avian flu is a serious global problem that is often deadly to chickens. While its consequences are devastating, you’re not powerless. By understanding the symptoms, following biosecurity guidance, and acting quickly if you spot signs, you can help protect your flock.

It’s always better to overreact than delay. If in doubt, speak to your vet and report anything unusual. The earlier a case is caught, the more chance there is to prevent further spread.