Nine areas to target for disease-free winter ranges

摘要

Outdoor layer flocks face additional health and welfare challenges on ranges in autumn and winter. Jon Riley gets some expert tips to help flock-keepers deal with severe weather, disease threats, invasive vermin and predators. The darker, colder months bring a range of issues for outdoor layer flock. The highest-profile of these is the risk of avian influenza, brought in by migratory birds from Asia and eastern Europe. Wet, muddy conditions also increase levels of mycoplasma and E coli infections, while worm burdens are an issue - particularly if milder conditions persist.