Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alberta
During the spring months, migration of wild birds and warmer weather increases the risk to poultry. More information on Alberta's situation.
Poultry shows, swaps and auctions also present a risk for spread of avian influenza. It is recommended to avoid holding or attending these events with birds, but if you decide to do so, review Biosecurity for Poultry at Shows, Swaps and Auctions.
There is an extremely low risk to human health and no risk to food safety. While some strains have the potential to infect humans, previous cases of avian influenza in people have involved close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments.
There is no effective vaccine or cure for this disease, although vaccine options are being investigated. Biosecurity is essential for protecting your flocks and preventing the disease’s spread. More information on reducing the risk of HPAI can be found at Avian influenza in domestic birds.
HPAI is a reportable disease, so if you suspect or confirm a case in your flock, you must report it to:
- the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Phone: 403-338-5225
Email: [email protected] - or the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian.
If you have concerns about sick or dead wild birds, call 310-0000 or your local Fish and Wildlife Office.
The CFIA is leading the investigation and response.
Small flocks
Small poultry flocks provide many benefits to those who keep them. Here are some things to know and do to help you raise your chickens.
Raising chickens in Alberta: a guide for small flock owners
This comprehensive guide is for small flock, backyard and urban chicken owners. Poultry health topics covered include: regulations, basic chicken needs, chicken house design and sanitation, egg management, care of chicks, care of chickens during the winter, flock health and disease, and biosecurity.
Keeping your flock, your food, and your family healthy
Did you know that even healthy birds, their eggs, and meat can all be sources of bacteria that can make you sick? With some basic hygiene and handling practices you and your family can care for your birds safely.
Keep Alberta Small Flocks Healthy: Safely add to your small flock
Whether you are adding to a recreational flock or a breeding line or getting layers or broilers, new additions to the flock can bring joy, but also disease. Protect your existing flock with simple steps outlined in this fact sheet.
Protect yourself and your family: Tips for the safe handling of chicks and live poultry
Contact with live poultry can be a source of germs and infections, even if a bird appears healthy and clean. There are things you can do to help keep yourself, your family and birds safe.
Backyard Chicken Webinar Series
Alberta Farm Animal Care offers introductory webinars and other resources for urban chicken owners.
Biosecurity
Measures taken to prevent or reduce the introduction or spread of animal diseases are an important part of each farm’s livestock biosecurity plan. See: Livestock and biosecurity resources – Poultry.
Other resources
- When disease enters your flock
- Biosecurity: Keeping small flocks healthy
- Biosecurity for poultry: at shows, swaps and auctions
- Biosecurity for Overseas Travelers
- Cleaning and disinfecting backyard poultry flock premises
- University of Alberta Poultry Research Centre – Video series
- National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard
Disease management
Some poultry diseases can have a devastating impact and must be reported to the province for monitoring and disease control. Work with a veterinarian to report reportable and notifiable livestock diseases.
- Producers or veterinarians can also submit bird carcasses for testing at a provincial laboratory. Find out about the small-flock disease investigation program.
- Looking for veterinary care for your flock? Search the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association’s site
- A partial list of veterinarians practicing small flock medicine is available at Alberta Farm Animal Care.
Serious poultry diseases
Avian influenza
Avian influenza (AI), also called ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu,’ is a contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous systems of many bird species, including domestic poultry and wild birds. AI is a provincially and federally reportable disease.
Infectious laryngotracheitis
ILT is a provincially reportable respiratory disease of chickens, pheasants and peafowl. It is highly contagious and is spread either by infected birds or other birds through mechanical means. Clinical signs of the disease include general unthriftiness, decreased egg production, watery eyes with conjunctivitis, swelling of the sinuses, persistent nasal discharge, coughing and sneezing.
Newcastle disease
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry. The disease is so lethal that many birds may die without showing any clinical signs. Newcastle disease is a provincially and federally reportable disease. While it has never been reported in domestic poultry in Canada, a small number of cases of Newcastle disease have been detected in Canada's wild bird population.
Other resources
- Sick chickens? Here’s what to do when disease enters your flock
- How to prevent and detect disease in backyard flocks and pet birds
- Bird health basics
- Salmonella and Salmonellosis
- Food safety tips - poultry
Protection from predation
As the number of small flocks in Alberta increase, the number of negative encounters with bears and other predatory animals has also increased. By taking proactive steps you can protect your animals, property and family. Learn more about protection from predation.
Bears and agricultural producers
Raising poultry in bear country? have you considered installing an electric fence to protect your yard? This provincial program offers proactive measures to reduce negative encounters and protect your animals, property and family.
Protecting Livestock From Predation With Electric Fences
Electric fences are an important tool for protecting livestock in Alberta. Such fences have been used in the province to protect livestock from predators for more than 2 decades.
Prevention of Predator Damage in Poultry Flocks
This publication is designed to help poultry producers reduce or prevent predation by improving or extending care and management of their flocks.
Euthanasia and disposal
Small-flock poultry owners may have to end birds' lives because of disease, welfare, or other issues. It is the owner’s responsibility to correctly euthanize their birds, and dispose of or store them until they can be permanently disposed. Learn more about Livestock mortality management.
Euthanasia and carcass disposal: Information for small-flock poultry producers
Euthanasia is the ending of the life of an animal in a way that minimizes or eliminates pain, anxiety and distress. Euthanasia means a good death for the animal. Proper euthanasia, done at the right time, reduces suffering due to disease, pain from injury and distress from ill thrift.
Practical Guidelines for On-Farm Euthanasia of Poultry
Produced by the Poultry Industry Council, this manual offers science and research-based guidelines and description of different on-farm poultry euthanasia methods.
Poultry Mortality Composting
Poultry mortalities can be composted, incinerated, buried, rendered or naturally disposed. Today, animal agriculture is challenged to discover innovative ways to dispose of livestock and poultry mortalities. Composting of livestock mortalities is one option.
Sustainability
Alberta Environmental Farm Plan
Agricultural producers have developed a learning tool to demonstrate their good environmental stewardship. The AEF website helps producers start or renew their small-flock poultry environmental operation plan. This includes assessing the environmental risks associated with the poultry operation.
Environmental Footprint of Egg
Egg Farmers of Alberta along with the Alberta government completed a study to better understand and quantify the environmental impact of egg production in Alberta, covering all lifecycle stages of production. Learn more about sustainable egg farming.