Animal health

We aim to maintain a disease free status within Staffordshire and that promote humane treatment of farm livestock.

Contents

Avian Influenza Reporting and Current Situation

Dead Wild Birds

Call Defra on 03459 33 55 77 if you find:

  • one or more dead birds of prey or owl
  • 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
  • 5 or more dead birds of any species

You do not need to report any other found dead wild birds, bird flu is not a notifiable disease in wild birds. Do not report sick or injured wild birds to Defra or APHA.

If dead wild birds are not collected for bird flu testing, landowners can remove carcases. The landowner is responsible for disposing of the carcases safely and for any costs of removing and disposing of dead wild birds.

If you decide to remove any other dead wild bird that you suspect has been infected with bird flu you must dispose of it as a category 1 animal by-product.

If you’re a landowner or land manager, read the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds for further guidance on removing and disposing of wild bird carcases. 

Disposing of dead wild birds on public land

Do not touch or pick up a dead or visibly sick wild bird on public land.

The local authority is responsible for disposing of dead wild birds on public land if necessary. Find out how to contact your local authority. 

Disposing of small numbers of dead garden birds found at your home

If you find small numbers of dead garden birds at your home (domestic residential property only) you can dispose of them in your household or municipal waste bin, or you can bury them.

If you dispose of a dead wild bird with your household or municipal waste, you should:

  1. Pick it up wearing disposable gloves or a plastic bag over your hand.
  2. Put the bird in a plastic bag and tie it. Take care not to contaminate the outside of the bag.
  3. Put the bird in a second (preferably leakproof) plastic bag, along with the gloves or plastic bag you used to pick it up and tie it. Take care not to touch the outside of the gloves with bare hands.
  4. Put it in your outside household or municipal waste bin.
  5. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

If you bury a dead wild bird you should:

  • dig a hole at least 60 cm deep to stop animals digging it up
  • not bury it in a plastic bag (if you use a plastic bag to pick the bird up put it in your outside household or municipal waste bin)
  • not bury it near any watercourses or in a place where it could contaminate local water supplies
  • wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you’ve finished 

Bird Flu Guidance

Find out how to: 

Bird Flu Webinars

Whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock, the avian influenza ‘stop the spread’ webinars explain what you can do to protect your birds. These are available as video’s or slides. 

 Further Information