A Discussion on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Pastured Poultry

I have a conversation with Chrislyn Wood, DVM, about the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and pasture raised flocks. Dr. Wood is a veterinarian with USDA APHIS and she is involved first hand with HPAI monitoring and response efforts. She recalls in our conversation being on the ground in the Pacific Northwest as backyard flocks dealt with the virus and in the Midwest for commercial turkey flocks. Her one word to describe both scenarios is “devasting.” And because HPAI can be so devasting, we must give is some serious thought. 

We cover a lot of ground, including historical observations, risk assessment, disease identification, and prevention. This interview was recorded in a classroom at the 2022 Pasa Conference. Many thanks go Hannah Smith-Brubaker for setting up the interview. 

If you have chickens or turkeys, then you are at risk of your flock getting infected with HPAI. But the reality is that your flock, and you for that matter, are at risk for lots of disease, injury, and death. Through my conversation with Dr. Wood, we explore the risks and your potential responses to it. I’d encourage you to read the APPPA resources on HPAI, linked in the resources below, for a good holistic perspective about raising pastured poultry amid this threat

The truth is that this virus has a disproportionate impact on intensely confined commercial flocks of layers and turkeys (The 2015 outbreak clearly shows this). While non-commercial flocks can be infected (they’re not immune), a big part of dealing with this threat is not panicking. This can be hard because the primary message that non-commercial flocks will hear from our agencies, Extension, and commercial industry will be one of fear, and they’ll try to place backyard and pastured flocks in the middle of that fear. 

Resources:

 

About the Author
Host of Pastured Poultry Talk podcast.

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