Your birds are very unlikely to catch the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain (also known as bird flu) because it has not been found in the United States. However, cases of HPAI H5N1 have been recorded in other countries. Some researchers believe that migrating wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese may carry the virus from those countries across U.S. borders.
Although wild waterfowl may carry the virus to the U.S., the chance of them infecting your birds is remote. Nevertheless, practicing good biosecurity by confining your birds and keeping them away from any wild waterfowl is wise.
Please visit the extension website for more information on how to protect your backyard flocks from avian influenza.
