What Backyard Flock Owners Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1) Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, Cynthia B. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, and Annabel Henson. Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. Among migratory birds and poultry, this virus can be highly contagious and cause severe [&#8230;]

<a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AN402">What Backyard Flock Owners Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)</a>
Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, Cynthia B. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, and Annabel Henson.
Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. Among migratory birds and poultry, this virus can be highly contagious and cause severe disease and death. Biosecurity and proper hygiene significantly reduce this risk. This publication aims to help owners of backyard flocks protect their birds and identify possible signs of influenza H5N1 infection.
<a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/es/publication/AN401">Protocolos de sincronización de celo para servicio natural</a>
Daniella C. Heredia, Angela Gonella-Diaza y Kalyn Waters.
Esta publicación está dirigida a productores que estén interesados en mejorar la eficiencia reproductiva y el desempeño de sus vacas. Aquí se explica el proceso de sincronización del celo y los protocolos que se pueden utilizar para el servicio natural en los Estados Unidos.
<a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AN403">What Consumers Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)</a>
Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, Cynthia B. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, and Annabel Henson.
Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. This publication aims to help consumers better understand bird flu and ways bird flu may impact consumable products, such as eggs or milk.

What Backyard Flock Owners Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)
Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, Cynthia B. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, and Annabel Henson.
Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. Among migratory birds and poultry, this virus can be highly contagious and cause severe disease and death. Biosecurity and proper hygiene significantly reduce this risk. This publication aims to help owners of backyard flocks protect their birds and identify possible signs of influenza H5N1 infection.
Protocolos de sincronización de celo para servicio natural
Daniella C. Heredia, Angela Gonella-Diaza y Kalyn Waters.
Esta publicación está dirigida a productores que estén interesados en mejorar la eficiencia reproductiva y el desempeño de sus vacas. Aquí se explica el proceso de sincronización del celo y los protocolos que se pueden utilizar para el servicio natural en los Estados Unidos.
What Consumers Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)
Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, Cynthia B. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, and Annabel Henson.
Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. This publication aims to help consumers better understand bird flu and ways bird flu may impact consumable products, such as eggs or milk.

What Backyard Flock Owners Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1) Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, Cynthia B. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, and Annabel Henson. Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. Among migratory birds and poultry, this virus can be highly contagious and cause severe […]

What’s New on Ask IFAS: Animal Sciences (Sept.–Oct.)

Though the current public health risk of H5N1 bird flu is low, the University of Florida (UF) is taking a proactive approach to education about the illness, which is responsible for one human death in the United States, as well as outbreaks among dairy cows and poultry. UF’s H5N1 Coordination Group combines the expertise of [&#8230;]

Though the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html">current public health risk of H5N1 bird flu is low</a>, the University of Florida (UF) is taking a proactive approach to education about the illness, which is responsible for one human death in the United States, as well as outbreaks among dairy cows and poultry. 
UF’s H5N1 Coordination Group combines the expertise of about 40 scientists, UF/IFAS Extension specialists and representatives from the <a href="https://www.sccahs.org/">Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety</a> (SCCAHS) at UF to develop and implement bird flu outreach efforts.
“Some of the information circulating about bird flu is not based on science, and that’s why UF has initiated this push to get vetted, science-based resources and education to various audiences,” said <a href="https://aec.ifas.ufl.edu/directory/faculty/ricky-telg/">Ricky Telg</a>, director of the UF/IFAS <a href="https://piecenter.com/">Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources</a> (PIE Center) and leader of the Coordination Group. “We want to eliminate the potential for the situation to get worse.”
<a href="https://piecenter.com/resources/birdflu/">Newly published bird flu guides</a> are now available on the PIE Center’s website. Created in partnership with the SCCAHS, the <a href="https://piecenter.com/fl-eden/">Florida Extension Disaster Education Network</a>, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the guides present answers to common questions about H5N1.
“Members of the H5N1 Coordination Group decided that the two categories of people most in need of science-based information about avian influenza were consumers and people who keep chickens in their backyards, so we tailored the content specifically for them,” Telg said.
Subjects covered in the guides include H5N1 transmission methods, recommended precautions and signs of infection in chickens.
<a href="https://phhp.ufl.edu/profile/anderson-benjamin/">Benjamin Anderson</a>, an assistant professor in UF’s <a href="https://phhp.ufl.edu/about/departments/environmental-and-global-health/">department of environmental and global health</a> and leader of UF’s <a href="https://epi.ufl.edu/">Emerging Pathogens Institute</a> bird flu response team, is among the infectious disease experts who compiled the information featured in the bird flu guides.
Although the number of human H5N1 cases has remained relatively low at 70 cases in the United States, scientists are still regularly detecting the illness in migratory birds, which are a primary transmitter, as well as in wildlife and in commercial and backyard chickens, Anderson said.
“Backyard poultry owners, particularly those who live along prominent migratory bird flyways, could still be at risk for H5N1 transmission to their flock if the poultry are exposed to migratory birds,” Anderson said. “Right now, migratory bird movement is fairly minimal, but we expect the risk of H5N1 transmission to increase again once migratory bird movements also increase, closer to the fall.”
Humans – as well as other mammals, including dogs and cats – risk exposure to the virus through contact with bird feces and dead birds, according to the guides. Eggs, milk and chicken are generally safe if they are properly handled and prepared, but raw milk and raw poultry are not safe for human or animal consumption.
H5N1 Coordination Group education efforts extend beyond consumers and backyard chicken flock keepers. UF/IFAS Extension personnel across the state are undergoing professional training about bird flu so they can respond to concerns from the farmers and consumers they serve.
<a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/alachua/livestock/">Cindy Sanders</a>, director of UF/IFAS <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/alachua/">Extension Alachua County</a> and a livestock agent, has teamed up with UF <a href="https://phhp.ufl.edu/">College of Public Health &amp; Health Professions</a> graduate students to develop biosecurity guidelines for county fairs and livestock shows. They established a series of questions fair organizers can ask participants, so everyone is better prepared for potential disease outbreaks, and they can mitigate outbreaks if they do occur.
Through <a href="https://www.sccahs.org/index.php/media/past-webinars/">webinars</a>, Telg, Anderson and Extension agents are updating members of the agriculture sector about the latest H5N1 news, as well as resources available to safeguard themselves and their operations.
The intended culminating effect of all this outreach is a well-informed public capable of making smart health decisions.
“Bird flu is a serious health issue for both humans and animals, and we’re working together to share vital information, so everyone stays healthy,” Telg said.
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>

Though the current public health risk of H5N1 bird flu is low, the University of Florida (UF) is taking a proactive approach to education about the illness, which is responsible for one human death in the United States, as well as outbreaks among dairy cows and poultry. 
UF’s H5N1 Coordination Group combines the expertise of about 40 scientists, UF/IFAS Extension specialists and representatives from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (SCCAHS) at UF to develop and implement bird flu outreach efforts.
“Some of the information circulating about bird flu is not based on science, and that’s why UF has initiated this push to get vetted, science-based resources and education to various audiences,” said Ricky Telg, director of the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) and leader of the Coordination Group. “We want to eliminate the potential for the situation to get worse.”
Newly published bird flu guides are now available on the PIE Center’s website. Created in partnership with the SCCAHS, the Florida Extension Disaster Education Network, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the guides present answers to common questions about H5N1.
“Members of the H5N1 Coordination Group decided that the two categories of people most in need of science-based information about avian influenza were consumers and people who keep chickens in their backyards, so we tailored the content specifically for them,” Telg said.
Subjects covered in the guides include H5N1 transmission methods, recommended precautions and signs of infection in chickens.
Benjamin Anderson, an assistant professor in UF’s department of environmental and global health and leader of UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute bird flu response team, is among the infectious disease experts who compiled the information featured in the bird flu guides.
Although the number of human H5N1 cases has remained relatively low at 70 cases in the United States, scientists are still regularly detecting the illness in migratory birds, which are a primary transmitter, as well as in wildlife and in commercial and backyard chickens, Anderson said.
“Backyard poultry owners, particularly those who live along prominent migratory bird flyways, could still be at risk for H5N1 transmission to their flock if the poultry are exposed to migratory birds,” Anderson said. “Right now, migratory bird movement is fairly minimal, but we expect the risk of H5N1 transmission to increase again once migratory bird movements also increase, closer to the fall.”
Humans – as well as other mammals, including dogs and cats – risk exposure to the virus through contact with bird feces and dead birds, according to the guides. Eggs, milk and chicken are generally safe if they are properly handled and prepared, but raw milk and raw poultry are not safe for human or animal consumption.
H5N1 Coordination Group education efforts extend beyond consumers and backyard chicken flock keepers. UF/IFAS Extension personnel across the state are undergoing professional training about bird flu so they can respond to concerns from the farmers and consumers they serve.
Cindy Sanders, director of UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County and a livestock agent, has teamed up with UF College of Public Health & Health Professions graduate students to develop biosecurity guidelines for county fairs and livestock shows. They established a series of questions fair organizers can ask participants, so everyone is better prepared for potential disease outbreaks, and they can mitigate outbreaks if they do occur.
Through webinars, Telg, Anderson and Extension agents are updating members of the agriculture sector about the latest H5N1 news, as well as resources available to safeguard themselves and their operations.
The intended culminating effect of all this outreach is a well-informed public capable of making smart health decisions.
“Bird flu is a serious health issue for both humans and animals, and we’re working together to share vital information, so everyone stays healthy,” Telg said.
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

Though the current public health risk of H5N1 bird flu is low, the University of Florida (UF) is taking a proactive approach to education about the illness, which is responsible for one human death in the United States, as well as outbreaks among dairy cows and poultry. UF’s H5N1 Coordination Group combines the expertise of […]

Scientists seek to curtail bird flu’s spread through education, outreach efforts

From Practice to Poultry Perfection Wakulla 4-H hosted the annual Poultry Perfection Workshop on Saturday, March 1.  Youth from Wakulla, Gulf, Jefferson, and Gadsden counties spent the morning demonstrating their poultry science knowledge and showmanship skills at the Wakulla County Extension office. Youth learned how to handle birds for the upcoming district poultry show scheduled [&#8230;]

<h4>From Practice to Poultry Perfection</h4>
<figure id="attachment_32939" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32939" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-32939 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="4-H Agent coaches youth on poultry showmanship." width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/wakullaco/files/2025/03/4H-agent-coaches-youth-on-showmanship-225x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32939" class="wp-caption-text">4-H agent Rachel Pienta works with youth to develop skills in poultry showmanship.</figcaption></figure>
Wakulla 4-H hosted the annual Poultry Perfection Workshop on Saturday, March 1.  Youth from Wakulla, Gulf, Jefferson, and Gadsden counties spent the morning demonstrating their poultry science knowledge and showmanship skills at the Wakulla County Extension office. Youth learned how to handle birds for the upcoming district poultry show scheduled March 29, 2025 at the Extension facility in Washington County, Florida. Each youth practiced show skills by demonstrating their knowledge of poultry breeds and anatomy with their individual show bird and completed a poultry science skill-a-thon.
Youth who participate in the District Show are required to submit a project book that documents how they raised their show bird.  Show participants demonstrate their poultry knowledge in a live judging format as well as in a skill-a-thon. Youth who progress through the age levels of the 4-H program can compete in a demonstration or illustrated talk session about their poultry projects. Projects include topics such as building poultry-based businesses that demonstrate how young people can apply entrepreneurial skills to start a business and generate a profit.
<h4>Chick Chain Project</h4>
Preparation for the District show begins months before, in September of the prior year. Each fall, members of Wakulla 4-H begin raising chicks as participants in the UF IFAS NW District 4-H Chick Chain Program. From September to March, youth ages 5 to 18 choose one or more chicken breeds that will be raised from newly hatched chicks to mature chickens.  At monthly club meetings youth learn how to feed and care for their birds, including how to maintain flock biosecurity. Youth learn how to recognize different bird breeds, chicken market cuts, anatomy, as well as egg candling and grading.  To learn more about this annual poultry project, visit this website: <a href="https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-poultry-project/home">https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-poultry-project/home</a>. The next Chick Chain will begin in September!
<figure id="attachment_32941" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32941" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-32941 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Adult sits at table to teach poultry science. " width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/wakullaco/files/2025/03/program-assistant-Christy-Pearson-teaches-poultry-science-at-a-skillathon-station-225x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32941" class="wp-caption-text">4-H Program Assistant Christy Pearson taught at one of the poultry science knowledge demonstration stations during a recent poultry workshop.</figcaption></figure>
<h4>Biosecurity and Flock Protection</h4>
Youth enrolled in the Chick Chain project learn how to keep their flock safe from threats that include predators and avian disease. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides guidelines on flock defense to maintain bird health: <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock">https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock</a>.  Bird flu is caused by the avian influenza virus and can affect all types of birds, including chickens, ducks, turkey. There are two main types: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), which is milder, and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which can cause severe illness and death in poultry (Stonecipher, 2025).
Five Tips to Protect Your Flock
<ol>
<li>Limit Exposure to Wild Birds: Keep your flock in a secure area to avoid contact with wild birds, which can carry the virus.</li>
<li>Practice Biosecurity: Clean and disinfect equipment, practice strict hygiene when handling your birds, avoid visiting someone else’s property with birds and wearing the same clothing when you are with your own flock to prevent potential cross-contamination.</li>
<li>Monitor Your Flock: Regularly check for signs of illness.</li>
<li>Isolate New Birds: Quarantine new poultry for at least two weeks to prevent introducing disease.</li>
<li>Stay Informed: Follow local reports on bird flu outbreaks and advice from authorities.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Signs of Bird Flu</h4>
What are the signs to determine if your birds have avian influenza? Please see this link for information: <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/brevardco/2025/01/07/things-to-know-about-avian-influenza-or-bird-flu/">https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/brevardco/2025/01/07/things-to-know-about-avian-influenza-or-bird-flu/</a>
Signs of the disease vary greatly and depend on many factors, including the age and species of poultry affected, husbandry practices, and the inherent pathogenicity of the influenza virus strain (Newman, 2025).
Signs to look for may include:
ruffled feathers
soft-shelled eggs
depression and droopiness
sudden drop in egg production
loss of appetite
cyanosis (purplish-blue coloring) of wattles and comb
edema and swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
diarrhea
blood-tinged discharge from nostrils
incoordination, including loss of ability to walk and stand
pin-point hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks)
respiratory distress
increased death losses in a flock
The clinical signs of avian influenza are like those of other avian diseases. Avian flu may be confused with infectious bronchitis, laryngotracheitis, fowl cholera, and the various forms of Newcastle disease.
<h4>Raising Backyard Chickens for Eggs</h4>
Interested in raising backyard chickens for eggs? Check out this excellent resource from UF IFAS: <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/an239">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/an239</a>.  The Wakulla County Extension office offers free educational workshops for youth and adults. Watch for a workshop on Backyard Poultry for families to be announced soon! For more information, please call our office (850-926-3931) or visit 84 Cedar Avenue in Crawfordville.
<h4>School Embryology Program</h4>
Each spring, Wakulla 4-H partners with local elementary schools to offer classroom-based embryology programs. Wakulla 4-H provides incubators, embryology curriculum resources, and fertilized eggs to support these educational programs.
<figure id="attachment_32949" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32949" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-32949 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Recently hatched chicks in a brooder box. " width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/wakullaco/files/2025/03/chicks-in-brooder-box-225x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32949" class="wp-caption-text">Each spring, Wakulla 4-H partners with local teachers to offer school-based embryology. These chicks were hatched in a local classroom and will now return to a 4-H member&#8217;s local farm.</figcaption></figure>
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&amp;M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.
&nbsp;
<h4>Additional Resources</h4>
Florida 4-H Chick Chain
<a href="http://Florida 4-H Chick Chain">https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-poultry-project/skill-a-thon?authuser=</a>0
For Shelter Rescues and Access to Care Clinics
<a href="https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/2025/02/10/h5n1-avian-influenza-resources-for-shelters-rescues-and-access-to-care-clinics/">https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/2025/02/10/h5n1-avian-influenza-resources-for-shelters-rescues-and-access-to-care-clinics/</a>
Keeping Backyard Poultry Safe from Bird Flu
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/volusiaco/2025/01/24/keeping-backyard-poultry-safe-from-bird-flu/">https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/volusiaco/2025/01/24/keeping-backyard-poultry-safe-from-bird-flu/</a>
&nbsp;

From Practice to Poultry Perfection
4-H agent Rachel Pienta works with youth to develop skills in poultry showmanship.
Wakulla 4-H hosted the annual Poultry Perfection Workshop on Saturday, March 1.  Youth from Wakulla, Gulf, Jefferson, and Gadsden counties spent the morning demonstrating their poultry science knowledge and showmanship skills at the Wakulla County Extension office. Youth learned how to handle birds for the upcoming district poultry show scheduled March 29, 2025 at the Extension facility in Washington County, Florida. Each youth practiced show skills by demonstrating their knowledge of poultry breeds and anatomy with their individual show bird and completed a poultry science skill-a-thon.
Youth who participate in the District Show are required to submit a project book that documents how they raised their show bird.  Show participants demonstrate their poultry knowledge in a live judging format as well as in a skill-a-thon. Youth who progress through the age levels of the 4-H program can compete in a demonstration or illustrated talk session about their poultry projects. Projects include topics such as building poultry-based businesses that demonstrate how young people can apply entrepreneurial skills to start a business and generate a profit.
Chick Chain Project
Preparation for the District show begins months before, in September of the prior year. Each fall, members of Wakulla 4-H begin raising chicks as participants in the UF IFAS NW District 4-H Chick Chain Program. From September to March, youth ages 5 to 18 choose one or more chicken breeds that will be raised from newly hatched chicks to mature chickens.  At monthly club meetings youth learn how to feed and care for their birds, including how to maintain flock biosecurity. Youth learn how to recognize different bird breeds, chicken market cuts, anatomy, as well as egg candling and grading.  To learn more about this annual poultry project, visit this website: https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-poultry-project/home. The next Chick Chain will begin in September!
4-H Program Assistant Christy Pearson taught at one of the poultry science knowledge demonstration stations during a recent poultry workshop.
Biosecurity and Flock Protection
Youth enrolled in the Chick Chain project learn how to keep their flock safe from threats that include predators and avian disease. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides guidelines on flock defense to maintain bird health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock.  Bird flu is caused by the avian influenza virus and can affect all types of birds, including chickens, ducks, turkey. There are two main types: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), which is milder, and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which can cause severe illness and death in poultry (Stonecipher, 2025).
Five Tips to Protect Your Flock
Limit Exposure to Wild Birds: Keep your flock in a secure area to avoid contact with wild birds, which can carry the virus.
Practice Biosecurity: Clean and disinfect equipment, practice strict hygiene when handling your birds, avoid visiting someone else’s property with birds and wearing the same clothing when you are with your own flock to prevent potential cross-contamination.
Monitor Your Flock: Regularly check for signs of illness.
Isolate New Birds: Quarantine new poultry for at least two weeks to prevent introducing disease.
Stay Informed: Follow local reports on bird flu outbreaks and advice from authorities.
Signs of Bird Flu
What are the signs to determine if your birds have avian influenza? Please see this link for information: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/brevardco/2025/01/07/things-to-know-about-avian-influenza-or-bird-flu/
Signs of the disease vary greatly and depend on many factors, including the age and species of poultry affected, husbandry practices, and the inherent pathogenicity of the influenza virus strain (Newman, 2025).
Signs to look for may include:
ruffled feathers
soft-shelled eggs
depression and droopiness
sudden drop in egg production
loss of appetite
cyanosis (purplish-blue coloring) of wattles and comb
edema and swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
diarrhea
blood-tinged discharge from nostrils
incoordination, including loss of ability to walk and stand
pin-point hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks)
respiratory distress
increased death losses in a flock
The clinical signs of avian influenza are like those of other avian diseases. Avian flu may be confused with infectious bronchitis, laryngotracheitis, fowl cholera, and the various forms of Newcastle disease.
Raising Backyard Chickens for Eggs
Interested in raising backyard chickens for eggs? Check out this excellent resource from UF IFAS: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/an239.  The Wakulla County Extension office offers free educational workshops for youth and adults. Watch for a workshop on Backyard Poultry for families to be announced soon! For more information, please call our office (850-926-3931) or visit 84 Cedar Avenue in Crawfordville.
School Embryology Program
Each spring, Wakulla 4-H partners with local elementary schools to offer classroom-based embryology programs. Wakulla 4-H provides incubators, embryology curriculum resources, and fertilized eggs to support these educational programs.
Each spring, Wakulla 4-H partners with local teachers to offer school-based embryology. These chicks were hatched in a local classroom and will now return to a 4-H member’s local farm.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.
 
Additional Resources
Florida 4-H Chick Chain
https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-poultry-project/skill-a-thon?authuser=0
For Shelter Rescues and Access to Care Clinics
https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/2025/02/10/h5n1-avian-influenza-resources-for-shelters-rescues-and-access-to-care-clinics/
Keeping Backyard Poultry Safe from Bird Flu
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/volusiaco/2025/01/24/keeping-backyard-poultry-safe-from-bird-flu/

From Practice to Poultry Perfection Wakulla 4-H hosted the annual Poultry Perfection Workshop on Saturday, March 1.  Youth from Wakulla, Gulf, Jefferson, and Gadsden counties spent the morning demonstrating their poultry science knowledge and showmanship skills at the Wakulla County Extension office. Youth learned how to handle birds for the upcoming district poultry show scheduled […]

Wakulla 4-H Poultry Science Program Provides Hands on Learning for Local Youth

Birds

Aves

122-thumbnail

All domesticated birds used for the production of meat or eggs for consumption, for the production of other commercial products, for restocking, supplies of game, or for breeding these categories of birds. --AGROVOC

Poultry

Cría de aves de corral

766-thumbnail

UF/IFAS file photo 013423 taken by Tom Wright 09 Nov 2007.

Disease Vectors: Invertebrates or non-human vertebrates which transmit infective organisms from one host to another.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Publications

Avian Influenza in Poultry

What Consumers Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)

What’s New on Ask IFAS: Animal Sciences (Sept.–Oct.)

Scientists seek to curtail bird flu’s spread through education, outreach efforts

Wakulla 4-H Poultry Science Program Provides Hands on Learning for Local Youth