Achi news desk-
CLOVER, SC (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Poultry farmers across the Carolinas are taking no chances. Many are turning to strict protocols as another wave of bird flu continues to threaten the chicken population across the country.
Since 2022, it is estimated that more than 90 million birds have either died from the virus or been killed to prevent further spread in the US
“We try to make them as happy as possible. We always say a happy chicken is a tasty chicken,” said Eden Farms owner Adam Shumate.
With their happiness in the middle, Shumate also wants to keep his chickens alive and well. On his farm in Clover, he has implemented protocols to reduce potential outbreaks of bird flu.
“We want to be ready,” he said. “We feel the things we can do to prevent it in the first place are the best cause because we don’t want to start over with a whole new herd.”
Because bird flu is commonly spread through bird droppings, Shumate limits the number of people who come into contact with his flock. He says this would reduce the chance of someone walking onto the property with bird droppings on the bottom of their shoes.
As well as closely monitoring the chickens, Shumate and his staff are constantly cleaning their equipment, including what they wear on their feet.
“We have specific boots that are just for working with the flock and for when we’re taking care of them,” Shumate said.
Other farmers, like Holly Burrell, haven’t let a visitor set foot near their chickens in Gastonia for more than two years.
No outside visitors or cars are welcome, and his chickens are segregated in what he calls “tent cities.”
“We don’t want to do that because we want them to live their best life,” Burrell said in a 2022 interview with Queen City News.
Recently, health officials have found bird flu in other animals such as seals, squirrels and dolphins.
Earlier this month, bird flu was detected in one of the state’s dairy herds. Although it is concerning, state health officials say the overall risk to the public remains low.
“I have not heard of any cases, zero cases of people being affected by this virus linked to eating food, drinking milk and eating eggs … none of these products that we obtained from farm animals has not really been linked to any human risk. at this point,” said Dr. Michael Martin, director of the Veterinary Division at the UK Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
On March 28, at least 80 birds in North Carolina were found with the virus. Back in York County, Shumate says it all starts with the individual farms.
“When it comes to wildlife and things like that, there’s only so much you can do to be observant,” Shumate said. “Keep a healthy flock so they can find the infections that might occur.”
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