I am sure many of you have heard about the “Bird Flu” ….in 2006 it seems that every time you listened to a news broadcast, picked up a newspaper or received an E-Mail the subject was the bird flu.  

In regards to this subject there are a few things to keep in mind.

First of all, the feared strain of the flu is the H5NI strain. The virus is obtained primarily from nasal and fecal secretions, which can contaminate feed, water, equipment, cages or clothing. We HAVE NOT had this strain of flu virus in the United States or in North America for that matter.  

The major outbreaks have been in the East where the people mingle and practically live with their chickens and waterfowl. We in the United States raise most of our chickens in confinement.

One matter that you need not be concerned about is that the virus can be transmitted through the meat or the egg of a chicken.  All eggs are cooked and all poultry is cooked and if, in fact, there were a virus (which there is not), the temperature of the heating process would negate the virus.

Keep in mind also that baby chicks do not pose a risk of spreading avian flu because the virus does not spread from the embryo to the chick. There has never been a documented case wherein avian influenza has been transmitted from an infected hen to a chick. The time and temperatures associated with incubation of hatching eggs is lethal to the virus.

In September 2003, Iowa initiated a mandatory avian influenza monitoring system wherein serum samples from turkey and chicken flocks are routinely checked to determine if an avian influenza virus is present on the farm of origin. The serum samples are checked for antibodies against avian influenza by the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. This program has been initiated and actively supported by the Iowa Turkey Federation and the Iowa Poultry Association. We routinely send blood samples from our flocks to a laboratory for testing and also to Dr. Darrell Trampel, Extension Poultry Specialist and Professor at Iowa State University.

Keep in mind also that we as a hatchery have a deep sense of cleanliness, sanitation and biosecurity.  

So, do not fear the bird flu. We have many resources to combat it if it should occur in the United States….we are all doing all that we can to avoid its invasion. Many poultry people and government agencies are on top of the situation so DO NOT WORRY!