With Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa recently reporting bird flu cases in dairy cattle, concern about spread of the disease is up again in Wisconsin.
But in Madison, residents may be OK leaving their bird feeders or backyard chickens alone without too much worry, according to local authorities.
The Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance only recommends removing bird feeders that attract waterfowl and raptors, or that are near domestic poultry or a poultry farm.
“I have a bird feeder out for the finches, but I also don’t have standing water by the house,” said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. “I see songbirds but not necessarily waterfowl.”
About 45 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, have been detected in Wisconsin’s wild birds since July 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The most recent case was in Oconto County in March.
Wisconsin authorities have yet to report a case of the disease in dairy cattle like other Midwest states. This year, spread of the disease has gained increasing attention over transmission to humans. In Colorado on Friday, three poultry workers tested positive for the disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
Wisconsin is home to thousands of poultry farms, according to recent USDA figures. While the number of non-commercial flocks in the state is unknown, 167 backyard flocks are registered with the city of Madison.
Darlene Konkle, Wisconsin’s state veterinarian, said non-commercial flocks have not played a significant role in spread of the disease since a national resurgence began in 2022. Yet, poultry owners, even of small flocks, should be monitoring for sick birds, she said.
“Backyard flock owners should be paying attention and should be on the lookout for this. There’s been a number of backyard flocks affected over the past couple of years,” she said.
In Wisconsin, the USDA reports 19 backyard flocks have tested positive for bird flu since 2022, with a Taylor County flock becoming infected as recently as November.
Poulsen said birds infected with the disease just “don’t look right.”
“They don’t eat or drink. They might have, their feathers might not be very groomed or plumed. They might not move,” he said. “They might not walk. They might just kind of sit there, hold their head down.”
Infected chickens may decrease egg production or eggs may be soft-shelled and misshapen, according to the state department of agriculture. Usually birds are found dead since the virus is so fatal.
Konkle said people who manage birds should pay close attention to biosecurity. For example, birders and chicken owners could wear separate clothes and shoes when they’re engaging with birds or near bird droppings. Those clothes should be cleaned regularly and kept out of homes, Poulsen added.
The state Department of Natural Resources recommends wearing disposable gloves while cleaning bird feeders and baths.
As for protecting birds, the risk of infection grows during migration seasons, Poulsen said. During these periods, keeping domestic birds away from wild ones can help reduce spread of the disease.
“If you have the geese flying through and they spend a lot of time on the pond in your backyard, I would not put any domestic birds back there,” Poulsen said.
He recommends keeping domestic birds penned up at night since most birds migrate at that time, using the stars to navigate.
If you do find a sick or dead bird, don’t touch it. For five or more dead wild birds, make a report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at 608-267-0866 or DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov.
For sick backyard chickens or other poultry, Konkle and Poulsen recommend calling a local veterinarian as well as reporting to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at 800-572-8981.…Read more by By Danielle DuClos
