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Avian influenza is a term that makes even experienced poultry farmers shudder. A single outbreak can destroy years of work, because the disease spreads very quickly, regardless of whether you have a large farm or a dozen chickens in your backyard. There is no cure for bird flu, so the main thing is not to wait for symptoms to appear, but to stop the virus with prevention and disinfection.
How does bird flu spread?
Bird flu in chickens is a viral disease that leads to the death of the flock within a few days. There are several main ways the infection spreads.
- Contact with wild birds (waterfowl or migratory birds), which may be carriers of the virus, and through their droppings or secretions, the virus enters the environment.
- Contaminated equipment or transport that has carried other birds can transmit the virus.
- Clothing, footwear, and hands of personnel without proper disinfection can also be carriers of infection.
- Poor hygiene on the farm, poor disinfection of feeders, drinkers, and premises also contribute to the development of virus pathogens.
What are the symptoms of avian influenza in poultry?
Chicken flu can manifest itself in different ways. Type A viruses can have high pathogenicity (HPAI) with an immediate onset, mass mortality, and severe symptoms. They can also have low pathogenicity (LPAI) with mild or hidden symptoms, leading to reduced egg production, productivity, and high treatment costs.
Sign/symptom | How it manifests in birds | Typical conditions where it is noticeable earlier |
| Decreased activity, apathy | Birds sit, do not respond, do not go out for exercise | Households |
| Refusal to eat and drink | Sharp drop in appetite, decreased productivity | All types |
| Bluish comb and earlobes | Sign of circulatory disorder | More common on farms |
| Watery eyes, runny nose, discharge from the beak | Signs of respiratory tract damage | Both types |
| Decreased egg production or thin shells | Sign of a weakened body | Household farms |
| Sudden death of several birds | Sign of an acute form of the virus | More common on farms |
Preventive measures to protect against avian influenza
Avian influenza is not a disease that can be cured. The only way to deal with it is through prevention, which determines whether a farm will be able to survive an outbreak without significant losses.
Farms need to provide:
- sanitary checkpoints and disinfection barriers at every entrance and exit to the poultry house. These can be special baths or mats moistened with a disinfectant solution. Importantly, it must be regularly renewed so that its effectiveness is not lost.
- Quarantine for newly arrived birds: a new batch of birds cannot be immediately added to the main flock. They must be quarantined for up to 14 days with mandatory daily health checks.
- Prohibit access to the farm by unauthorized persons without urgent need. If entry is permitted, it is only in disposable protective clothing and after passing through a sanitary inspection room.
- Complete disinfection of transport before entering the farm.
- Ventilation and microclimate control systems prevent the accumulation of ammonia and moisture, which are conducive to the development of pathogens. VADA engineers note that automated microclimate control systems can be used to monitor air quality on poultry farms and respond to changes.
For domestic farms, it is recommended to:
- Have a separate chicken coop with screens on the windows so that the birds do not come into contact with pigeons, crows, or other birds. Cover feeders. A single sparrow or duck droppings near the feed can be a source of the virus.
- Regular disinfection, i.e., once a week, it is necessary to clean and treat drinking bowls, feeders, perches, and the floor.
- The litter should always be clean and dry, as damp and old litter is a favorable place for the development of viruses and bacteria.
- Check the health of the birds regularly: if a chicken has stopped eating, has dropped its wings, or has become lethargic, it must be isolated immediately. The first few hours are crucial.
Table. Block on bird health monitoring technology (sensors)
| Type of farm | Bird health monitoring / technology |
| Farms | Temperature, humidity, CO₂, and ammonia sensors; activity and weight monitoring systems |
| Household farms | Regularly check the temperature in the chicken coop, observe behavior, feed and water consumption |
Regular disinfection of poultry farms as the basis for preventing avian influenza
There is a belief that avian influenza settles in places that have not been cleaned for a long time. Therefore, regular disinfection is recommended. Why? Because the avian influenza virus can survive in droppings, dust, and water for about a month, and even longer at low temperatures. If disinfection is only carried out after detection, the virus has time to spread through equipment, bedding, feed, or people.
How to do it right? First, you need to get the place ready: clean up any trash and leftover feed. Only then should you start washing with a neutral cleaning solution to get rid of organic debris. The next step is to treat all surfaces with iodine, chlorhexidine, or hydrogen peroxide-based products: floors, walls, feeders, grates, windows, and ventilation ducts. After that, the room should be closed for 3 hours, and then well ventilated. This procedure should be performed in industrial poultry houses once every 10-14 days, and in private farms once a month.
Table of products and equipment
| Type of farm | Disinfection products | Equipment/tools |
| Farm | Certified disinfectants (antiseptics, chlorine-containing, alcohol-based) | Sprayers, fog generators, disinfection barriers, high-pressure washers |
| Home | Safe products (soap, chlorine solution, vinegar, special preparations for small farms) | Hand sprayers, shoe disinfectants, buckets for solutions |
Disinfectants can be purchased from VADA. The catalog contains certified products that meet the veterinary standards of Ukraine and the EU.
“We have seen time and time again that when a farm manager switches to certified products and follows the instructions for their use, the risk of reinfection is reduced by half,” explains Anna Vergal, the company's veterinary consultant.
Why is this important? Because certified disinfectants have proven effectiveness against avian influenza strains, leave no toxic residues, and are safe for poultry after drying.
In addition, VADA experts emphasize that the right combination of equipment, such as spray systems for sanitary stations or sprayers for poultry houses with high-quality disinfectants, not only provides protection against infections but also reduces the cost of preparations by up to 20%. This is because the solution is distributed more evenly.
06/11/2025
