UCP Blog 031: Avian Influenza & Mandatory Poultry Registrations in N.C.

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Jen Pitino

Bird Flu – photo by Adam Burt

The United States has been ablaze with avian influenza this year. The disease swept like a wildfire across state borders engulfing evermore territory and victims in its path. Nearly 50 million chickens (and other poultry) have burned as a result of avian flu – first with fever and later in incinerators after being part of mass cullings aimed to slow the disease’s spread.

How to stop this disease is a matter of significant debate. One state has taken an aggressive stance to avian flu and is ruffling the feathers of some backyard poultry keepers. Continue reading →

UCP Episode 032: Biosecurity – How to Keep Your Hens Safe From Disease

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Jen Pitino

Keeping you backyard flock of chickens healthy and safe requires more than just providing them clean water and food and secure housing. One of the most important considerations for the conscientious chicken keeper, that is unfortunately often overlooked, is the issue of bio-security. On this week’s episode of the Urban Chicken Podcast, we take an in depth look at the issue of protecting your birds for inadvertent exposure to illness, pests and deadly diseases. Continue reading →