BC Bantams

10/02/2025

A H7 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus has been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in northern Victoria and restrictions are now in place.

This is unrelated to the previous detections of the H7 strains in Victoria and also different from the H5N1 avian influenza strain that is impacting the USA and other parts of the world.

A restricted area around the impacted property and a control area have been established to prevent movements that could spread the virus.

Agriculture Victoria has staff on the ground supporting the business and performing further investigations as necessary.

Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or your local vet.

Read more 👉
agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

28/01/2025

Wanting to show your poultry? Check this out if you live in Victoria

Did you know, in Australia you can show:
➡️ Chickens
➡️ Ducks
➡️ Geese
➡️ Turkeys
➡️ Guinea Fowl
➡️ Jungle Fowl

19/01/2025

Got mites? 🐜🐜🐜

Red mites can be frustrating to eradicate. If you've been pulling your hair out doing extreme pen cleans and spraying chemicals around, why not try Exzolt!

Exzolt has the following benefits when tackling red mites:
👉 Easy dosing in water (2 doses 7 days apart kills mites for around 28 days)
👉 No egg withhold
👉 Doesn't wipe out beneficial insects/bugs
👉 It actually works and is backed by scientific research

Need more information? Find dosing instructions here:

The treatment regimen was identified as a result of the dose-determination that looked at multiple doses and durations.

19/01/2025

Visit birdflu.gov.au

28/11/2024

There's a few differences when it comes to vaccinating your chickens! 💉🦠🐓

Always consult a veterinarian when planning a vaccination program because:
👉 there are loads of chicken vaccines, only some are applicable to backyard poultry
👉 some vaccines are tricky to use
👉 some vaccines may be used differently in a backyard setting
👉 some vaccines are only required in an outbreak
👉 forward planning and ordering of vaccines prior to hatching chicks may be needed

23/11/2024

Currently attending the Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee Conference 🐓 🦆 🦜

So many great presentations so far. What a fantastic learning and networking opportunity

13/11/2024

❓Did you know❓
Poultry are prey animals, so they like to hide when they're sick!

One way to do a quick check of your flock it to look at the colour and size of their comb. Watch for:

➡️colour changes (blue, paleness)
➡️size changes (shrivelled small combs)
➡️texture changes (scabs from fowl pox, white fungal growths)
➡️swellings (infections or tumours)
➡️nasal discharge (respiratory infections)

10/11/2024

❗️❗️❗️ Watch out ❗️❗️❗️

❗️Poultry red mites are currently booming❗️

➡️Watch out for pale combs and wattles
➡️Check roosts weekly
➡️Red mite is spread through infected birds, litter, rodents and wild birds
➡️There are multiple treatment options, I find Exzolt the easiest and least stressful option. https://www.aussiechooksupplies.com.au/exzolt-red-mite-treatment-50mls-1l

People are also experimenting with predator bugs to eat the mites!
https://bugsforbugs.com.au/product/hypoaspis-for-poultry/

06/10/2024

Have you got poultry? 🐔🦆🦃🐓

Get them ready for the The Myrtleford Show on the 26th October!

Lots of prizes and ribbons to be won, and first-time competitors are encouraged to come and give showing a try!

Not sure how to get your birds ready? Contact the club or check out these helpful links:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=276980663196362
https://barastocpoultry.com.au/a-beginners-guide-to-showing-poultry/

19/06/2024

With the current situation, here are a few tips for trying to prevent Avian Influenza.

Let’s try to be proactive and do our best to help minimise the spread

22/05/2024

Update: A highly pathogenic strain has been found. Please go onto the Agriculture Victoria page for the latest information

With Avian Influenza being found in Victoria, this is the perfect time to look at biosecurity.

Please contact a veterinarian if you have sick and dying birds. This is about protecting everyone!

Whether you're a commercial producer, or only keep a few chickens in your backyard, good biosecurity practices protect you and your birds from disease.

1. Where possible, restrict contact between your birds and wild birds

2. Keep poultry sheds, yards, aviaries, and equipment clean

3. Limit visitors to your birds and wear clean footwear

4. Always wash your hands before and after handling birds or eggs

5. Isolate new birds before integrating with existing birds

Visit: https://brnw.ch/21wK0JR Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wK0JT

On rare occasions, some strains of Avian Influenza (AI) virus can infect and cause disease in humans.

AI viruses infect people following close contact with infected poultry and other bird species, or through contact with contaminated feathers, faeces or other waste from poultry or bird facilities.

For information on AI visit: https://brnw.ch/21wK0JQ

☎️ If you see unusual signs of disease or suspect an exotic disease in your poultry, immediately call your veterinarian, an LLS District Vet https://brnw.ch/21wK0JS or the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline 1800 675 888.

Local Land Services NSW Australian Eggs Egg Farmers of Australia NSW Farmers NSW Food Authority

07/05/2024

Do you need health care advice for your flock?
🥚Vaccinations
🥚Worming and parasite control
🥚Housing options and design
🥚Disease outbreak control and investigation
🥚Basic nutrition
🥚Priming poultry for breeding season
🥚Biosecurity

Would you like to talk to a vet who’s passionate about poultry?

You can now reach out to me through Phone A Vet. I can advise on health issues, and equip you with knowledge so you can work closely with your local vet.

I also perform flock health visits around the Mansfield and Beechworth regions.

https://www.phoneavet.com.au/veterinarians/