shall I wait to get chickens?

[fruit&vegvirgin]

I have a burning urge to get some chooks. we've got space, the other half can make the house and run... should I hold off to see what happens with bird flu?

[poultrychat]

bird flu may not come here for years, if at all - the press have done a good job in scaring the public. I would say if you have the facilities to keep them and if necessary to cover their run then go for it at this point in time you are more likely to have a car crash or be run over so take care!

[Birdie Wife]

And even if it does arrive, it's only likely to affect you if you've got several hundred chickens. As far as I know, only about 80-90 people in the whole of Asia have died from it so far. If it mutates into a human-borne disease (worst case scenario) then having chickens won't make a jot of difference whether you catch it or not.

I'd say go for it, get your chicks, that's what I'm going to do to!

[scooby]

likewise i agree with birdie wife go for it, i'm going to. as far as i know so long as you can keep them and their food seperate from wild birds you should be ok

[nick the grief]

Being mercenary about it I think now would be a good time as most people will have been put off, so you might get them cheep er sorry Cheap

[fruit&vegvirgin]

right, just got to persuade the other half that its a good idea then!!

[nick the grief]

How about the thought of all those homemade cakes, Ommlettes etc.

[andrewo]

I would just get the chickens, the government and media are doing their usual hyperbole, it's not like the 1918-19 break out, if it was that virulent it would have spread around the world already - we travel more than they did during that period, even taking into account the war. If bird flu comes, you will have more to worry about than chickens.

[John]

Get some birds now and enjoy them - think of all those lovely fresh eggs and that extra stuff you'll be able to the compost heap. If you're unsure about which type to get, I'd recommend 'Black Rocks'.
In the extremely unlikely event that bird flu arrives, DEFRA will have more to worry about than your few chickens. They couldn't cope with BSE and then Foot and Mouth and they don't have much idea about dealing with TB in cattle so heaven helps us if Bird Flu ever does reach our shores.

John

[fruit&vegvirgin]

mmm, well news from Scotland this morning... though I'm still tempted by the idea of getting some cheep!

[Birdie Wife]

I'll more than likely still get some. It's only one bird (but a bit worrying that it took them so long to confirm the virus), maybe I'll wait to see what Defra are going to advise poultry keepers.