Avian Influenza Outbreak Infects Wild Birds, Commercial Poultry And Backyard Flocks

Nov 14, 2022

By Caroline Long

Avian influenza has killed large numbers of wild birds and poultry this year. David Frame, veterinarian and USU extension poultry specialist, said this outbreak has been especially deadly.

“We have had some exotic strains of influenza in the past, but nothing that has been this devastating to the industry. And the reason is because it kills, and kills the birds very quickly,” Frame said.

While birds infected with avian influenza may present with nasal discharge or other symptoms, Frame said the most consistent effect is death.

“The thing that bird owners are going to notice more than anything else is they go out, and if they've got 20 birds, there may be five of them dead today, and then all of them but one or two might be dead the next day,” Frame said.

Frame said influenza can spread to poultry by direct contact with wild birds or via contaminated surfaces.

“The big thing with influenza is that it's tracked very easily. And so people can track it around," he explained. "That virus is very, very infectious. It doesn't take much, just … the litter on a head of a pin is enough to easily infect another 20,000-bird flock. And that’s the main situation. … Biosecurity — in other words, keeping things in and keeping things out — is really what’s playing a role in a lot of these commercial outbreaks,” Frame said.

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Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.