At the DLG Poultry Spotlight at “EuroTier digital”, there was high demand for information and discussion on the topic of avian influenza (AI). Five online events were held to discuss current developments, practical experiences and new scientific approaches. The Animal Welfare Focus Network was also represented with three events on the topic.

In an interview with Dr Christian Lambertz from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Iris Tapphorn, a farmer in the Animal Welfare Pilot Farms Network, outlined her experiences in dealing with the requirements relating to avian influenza. The Tapphorn Goose Farm in Lower Saxony has several branches of operation, including a goose parent stock breeding programme with an EU-certified hatchery. Goose rearing and fattening are further key areas of the farm’s operations. The farm manager has implemented numerous biosecurity measures on the farm to protect against the introduction of the AI pathogen. The risk-mitigating measures include providing feed and water exclusively in the shed, as well as regular random testing for the H5N8 virus using PCR analysis. In addition, stocking density has been reduced to minimise stress.

What measures can be taken to maintain animal welfare during outbreaks of avian influenza? Farmer Friederike Schierholz’s presentation focused on practical advice. The owner of a mobile poultry house shared her experiences with the mandatory housing requirement. Shortly before the 2016/2017 outbreak, the first laying hens were housed in the then-new mobile house on her farm: “We hadn’t given mandatory housing a second thought at all when we purchased the house,” the farmer noted. She advises newcomers in particular to make sure they factor this into their considerations when buying a house. Her own experience has shown that a winter garden provides the birds with extra space during the housing-in phase, thereby reducing stress. Her aim is to offer the laying hens sufficient opportunities to scratch and peck even whilst they are housed. To this end, she uses loose straw, straw pellets and a wide variety of enrichment materials. It is important to note that the enrichment materials must remain attractive to the birds over the long term, and that the associated labour and costs must be reasonable. Based on her positive experiences, Friederike Schierholz currently uses, amongst other things, pecking blocks and alfalfa bales, as well as maize silage from time to time. In addition, her birds are fed oats or wheat four to five times a day via an automated grain dispenser.