Hatching Eggs & Experiences

New Email address for all your hatching experience needs
01templars@gmail.com

We thought this might happen again this winter... good bio security is the key 🦆🐔🐓🐦
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influen za-bird-flu…

Tailored Educational, Informative and Exciting Hatching Experiences We still have a few spaces left for Spring and Summer term 2018 - Contact us to discuss your individual needs - 07803 615 801

Some great news ..........https://www.gov.uk/…/updated- measures-to-protect-poultry-ag…

Its wonderful to see the sun... the birds love a good dust bath,,
Advice on welfare of housed birds in warm weather 7 April 2017 If you are in a Higher Risk Area and your birds are housed it is especially important to keep a close eye on them in warmer weather to ensure they remain comfortable and healthy.... Check them regularly and ensure they have enough water and sufficient ventilation. You should monitor the maximum temperature and take action if it significantly exceeds 21oC for adult birds or around 13oC for adult ducks. Detailed advice on the welfare of housed birds is available at: https://www.gov.uk/…/f…/605486/captiv e-birds-biosecurity.pdf. If you are in a Higher Risk Area and concerned for housed birds' welfare in warm weather you should seek alternative ways to keep them separate from wild birds, such as netting, or contact your local APHA vet on 03000 200 301.
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Few places left after Easter, but will need to book in asap to enable eggs to be set 🐣

Wow, what a busy few weeks, setting up Chicken, Duck and Quail hatching experiences across Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire,
We still have a few places available for next term... and taking bookings for September 2017 as well as Spring 2018 :-) 🐣🐔🐥🦆 🦃 #hatchinginschool #education #enjoyment #hatchingexperience

Avian Flu Update for 28th Feb.... subject to change,,,, but hopefully positives on the horizon, :-)
https://www.gov.uk/…/ai-prevention-zone -plans-28_february-2…

Avian Flu is still a viable threat to our poultry in the UK, and we must be making sure we are taking precautions as best we can,
Update - 30 January - APHA
Avian flu confirmed at a farm in Wyre, Lancashire
... Following continued investigations it has not been possible to rule out the presence of disease in farmed birds at a further linked premises in the area.
In order to contain the possible spread of disease, the Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens has today (30 January) confirmed that proactive culling of 63,000 birds, including pheasants, partridges and ducks, will take place.
The premises will then be cleansed and disinfected, further reducing the risk that disease can be spread to other birds.
Our investigations will continue and the restrictions already placed on the sites will remain in force until cleansing and disinfection is finished and the investigation is complete.
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Sadly another avian flu case confirmed in Preston, Lancs
https://www.gov.uk/…/avian-flu-confirme d-at-a-farm-in-prest…

All our feathered friends remain in lockdown, until at least 28th February 2017
The polytunnels are proving to be a success ..... but I'm sure I catch them looking longingly out of the windows at the acres they normally roam !!

Email received from Animal Health confirming case in North Yorkshire.......... Tips on How to keep your birds safe from Avian Influenza (bird Flu) by DEFRA

On 4 January 2017 DEFRA announced that the Prevention Zones in place across GB will remain in place until 28 February 2017. Keepers of poultry and captive birds must “house” them away from wild birds. They must maintain their biosecurity and keep a close watch on the health of their birds
Its not easy, but a poly tunnel gives an immediate effective enclosure, with plenty of space and height for birds to still have a flutter, a bowl of effective disinfectant such as Virkon to ...boot dip before going in, and a disinfectant powder such as Ultra-Dri Gold is good for spreading on the ground in the enclosure to keep it clean and fresh
Keep the birds amused in an enriched environment will help during this time, and its extremely important that they have something to prevent them from becoming bored, otherwise they will soon become aggressive and this is when you will notice them pecking at each other and eventually this can lead to a very serious problem.
You can help to reduce the risk by hanging up a cabbage in their pen and they will spend some time pecking away at this. I like to put some straw or dried weeds in the house and enjoy watching them pecking and scratching at this for quite a while.
In addition, if you have a CD or DVD which you no longer listen to then hang that in the house, their natural curious nature will eventually persuade them to peck at it.
If you have a box / tray filled with play sand or dried soil, they will always enjoy a good dust bath - ash from the wood burner is great for this, our birds love it and the light sussex turn black! If we can help in anyway… please just ask, Thanks Helen
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As a precautionary measure an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has been declared covering England and Scotland by the Chief Veterinary Officer.
This has been imposed because there is a chance that migrating birds could spread some strains of Avian Flu to our girls, however, it is stressed that there is no confirmed cases in the UK or Scotland as yet.
The Chief Vet quite rightly is seeking the cooperation of all poultry keepers to maintain good housekeeping with our flock:
... • Where practical and not causing any suffering to the livestock, all poultry should be housed in coops and runs which are "wild bird proof" but, if this is not possible, all feed and water containers should be kept inside the housing, to prevent access by wild birds.
• It is advisable to keep foot wear which will only be used in the poultry area (yes a good excuse to purchase a new pair of wellies) . • Wash your hands before and after working with the poultry.
• Have a bucket of disinfectant water at the entrance of your poultry area - please put a cover over it to prevent wild birds perching on it.
• Be very vigilant and search for any carcasses of dead wild birds in your garden, if you find more than one please let DEFRA know.
• Watch your girls very carefully for any suspicious illnesses.
• Restrict any people entering your poultry enclosure whilst the restrictions are on.
• If you are unable to house your birds do everything practical to prevent wild bird access by putting up scarecrows, black cotton placed close together over the outside run, tin cans or plastic bags placed on string over the pen, and any other ideas you may have to scare them away.
• Please don't feed the wild birds in the poultry vicinity.
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