You can let your birds outside unless you’re in a protection zone or a captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone. Check what zone you’re in and follow the rules.
Your outdoor area may be contaminated by wild bird faeces, carcases or feathers.
The virus that causes bird flu can stay infectious in faeces, carcases and feathers for around 50 days. It can stay infectious for even longer in wet conditions and standing water.
You must take steps to prepare your range and outdoor areas before letting your birds outside:
- follow the biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading
- keep wild birds away from your birds and their range (any outdoor areas they use)
- clean and disinfect concrete areas and hard surfaces
- remove any build-up of faeces, carcases or feathers and then use disinfectant to decontaminate your range (choose an approved disinfectant that’s suitable to use on soil and outdoor areas)
- expose any heavily contaminated areas to sunlight
- fence off or cover standing water or ponds – these areas may be contaminated with wild bird faeces