backyard chickens

A bill in the Idaho Legislature would lower restrictions for allowing chickens in residential areas; the hope of the legislation is to help offset the high price of eggs consumers are facing at their local grocery store.  Senate Bill 1026 would ensure that homeowners associations could not bar residents from raising up to four chickens per one-fifth of an acre.   ...

On Wednesday, the CDC confirmed the first case of “severe” bird flu in a human in the United States.  Health officials in Louisiana say the unidentified 65-year-old patient has been hospitalized, experiencing what has been described as a severe respiratory illness.  As of Wednesday eve...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Stevens County late last week.  WSDA said in addition to the Stevens County cases, bird flu was detected in an Okanogan County flock.  The Dep...

On Friday, the USDA confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock in Central Oregon.  This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in Crook County.  According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Crook County backyard flock included approximately 70 birds, and was a mix consisting of several different species of poultry and domestic waterfowl.   USDA, in p...

More than 400 cases of salmonella across the country have been linked to backyard poultry.  The CDC says over 100 people have been hospitalized during this outbreak.  Texas and Missouri have the most cases, followed by Minnesota, Washington, Michigan, and Oklahoma.   Almost 70%...

Last week, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the confirmation of the state’s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a non-commercial flock.  According to USDA, the flock was discovered November 29th in Columbia County, and included roughly 20 chickens.     ...

Backyard bird owners across Washington, and the entire Pacific Northwest, are reminded to practice strong biosecurity measures as migration season starts to increase across the region.  The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Dr. Amber Itle say...

For the first time since May, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture has confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks.  The Twin Falls County case is the first of HPAI in domestic poultry this season in the state.  While H...

The USDA has approved a request by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to lift a regional quarantine in Lane County. That quarantine was issued on May 17th, after Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was confirmed in a backyard flock. Due to federal and international disease control requirements, after a confirmed case of HPAI in a poultry flock, a regional quarantine for all avian species and vehi

The Washington Department of Health is investigating four more cases of Salmonella link to backyard poultry.  Last week’s cases were reported in Clallam, Island, Stevens and Spokane counties.  That brings the total number of cases being investigated this year up to 20.   Those ...