By Hannah Cargill, contract production manager, Avara Foods
Without wanting to sound too much like a member of the Stark family… winter is coming. And with it comes one very important consideration for all of us in poultry: an increased risk of avian influenza.
So, one of my priorities right now is making sure our farms are prepared, compliant and have robust biosecurity measures in place to protect our birds. And one thing I really want everyone to have on their radar is poultry house meshing.
A few months ago, the British Poultry Council reminded us of the importance of getting meshing right, particularly now that the temporary derogation for larger mesh sizes has come to an end.
So, if you haven’t already done it, now is the time to walk your houses and check your mesh. And by “check it”, I mean get a ruler out and actually measure it – because that’s exactly what the vets will do.
The requirement itself hasn’t changed: openings where wild birds could gain access to poultry houses should be protected with mesh no larger than 25 mm x 25 mm. So, take a good look at your inlets, fan outlets, baffles and any other potential access points. While you’re at it, check the fabric of the building for gaps, holes or other areas that could allow wild birds or pests in.
If your farm is in an avian influenza restriction zone and requires an APHA movement licence, non-compliant meshing could prevent that licence from being issued.
It’s also worth checking that your EDO388 biosecurity assessment is current. If it’s due to expire soon, speak to your vet and get a visit booked before AI cases start appearing.
Don’t wait for the inspection to discover a problem. Grab your tape measure, have a walk around your houses and get those little jobs sorted.
A quick check now could save you a very big headache later.