Bird flu in Prignitz: Mandatory stables for all poultry farmers from Wednesday!

Bird flu in Prignitz: Mandatory stables for all poultry farmers from Wednesday!

Bird flu has now reached the Prignitz region, and that is causing worried faces among poultry farmers. From Wednesday, October 29th, all poultry farms in the Prignitz district will be required to have stables. These measures were adopted in response to several confirmed cases of avian influenza, particularly in cranes. According to [maz-online.de]. The stables and the regulations are part of a general animal disease decree that aims to prevent avian influenza from spreading to livestock poultry.

Karin Schlegel, a committed farmer from Klein Gottschow, is affected by the new regulations. She keeps around 500 animals, including chickens, geese and ducks. “My animals have been in the stable since Sunday and will stay there,” she explains. Their stables are equipped with a run and a protective tin roof to provide the animals with sufficient protection. Schlegel sells her products, such as fresh eggs and hearty delicacies, every fortnight at weekly markets in Pritzwalk and Bad Wilsnack, and she is not worried about her Christmas orders. These have already been secured since the summer.

Effects of the stable requirement

With the stable requirement, which comes into force on Wednesday, owners of poultry such as chickens, geese and ducks are obliged to keep their animals in closed stables or under appropriate protective devices. These regulations require tight coverage and side barriers to keep out wild birds. Written approvals are necessary if animal owners want to deviate from this regulation, as nordkurier.de reports.

In addition, hunting of game birds is prohibited in order to further minimize the risk of spread. “It is important that all owners register their livestock with the Veterinary Supervision and Consumer Protection Department,” it says. Owners must also be careful not to touch dead birds themselves and instead report them immediately. Appropriate contact information has been set up for this purpose.

Bird flu and its dangers

Bird flu, caused by the H5N1 virus, has recently become more important in Germany. Migratory birds are increasingly dying, increasing concerns about the health of domestic poultry populations. Although transmission of the virus to humans is rare, it remains important to take precautions and follow authorities' instructions to minimize risks.

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what measures will still be necessary to protect domestic poultry populations. Livestock farmers in the region now face the challenge of organizing their poultry farming under these new, strict regulations.