RSPCA Assured offers support to poultry farmers during bird flu outbreaks

RSPCA Assured is offering advice and support to help poultry farmers protect their birds’ health and welfare as avian influenza (AI) season begins.

Recognising the challenges outbreaks bring, the welfare scheme is reminding its members of the assessment options and practical guidance available to them.

Mark Robertson, interim assistant director of certification and assurance at RSPCA Assured, says: “We know how stressful and worrying AI outbreaks are for our members. Protecting birds’ health and welfare remains a priority, and we’re here to support farmers.

“We will continue to offer flexible assessment options this year, alongside practical advice to help members maintain the RSPCA welfare standards.”

RSPCA Assured members affected by a compulsory housing order, or whose farm is within a 3 km protection zone or 10 km surveillance zone, may be able to receive a desktop assessment instead of an immediate in-person visit. However, all desktop assessments must be followed by an in-person, unannounced visit within six months of their desktop assessment but no later than 30 September 2027.

This AI season, sites covered by a mandatory housing order that qualify for a desktop assessment will receive both the assessment and the follow-up visit free of charge. Requests from sites for a desktop assessment outside a housing order area will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mark continues: “Our farming and technical engagement team is always on hand to offer advice and practical guidance to support members in meeting the RSPCA welfare standards during an outbreak.

“We encourage any RSPCA Assured members with concerns or questions about AI to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.”

The RSPCA Assured website also has a dedicated area offering detailed information about additional biosecurity measures, advice on contingency planning and improving flock welfare during a housing order.

Biosecurity during assessments

RSPCA Assured assessors will follow each site’s specific biosecurity procedures alongside the scheme’s stringent measures, which include:

• Using foot dips, sanitising facilities and wearing foot coverings
• Carrying FFP3 face masks and disposable gloves in case they are needed
• If moving between sheds, assessors will follow the member’s lead on where to take off and put on additional personal protective equipment (PPE)
• At the end of the visit, all PPE will be removed in the outer biosecure area and returned to the member for disposal.
• If an assessor has parked a vehicle on the main site, they will spray the wheels immediately after the last gate as they leave.

Supporting bird welfare during housing orders

There are also several proactive measures producers can take to improve flock welfare during a housing order. These include:

• Putting extra enrichment inside sheds to help birds perform important foraging behaviours. For example, alfalfa or lucerne hanging in hay nets or pecking blocks offer birds a reward for interacting with them
• For laying hens and turkeys, scattering feed or insoluble/soluble grit on the litter can also provide interest and stimulate natural foraging behaviour
• Checking enrichments are clean and have been stored under cover to avoid introducing avian influenza to the shed
• Introducing materials with fine particles to encourage birds to dust bathe whilst living indoors.

Further information and advice is available for members on the RSPCA Assured website.