Mysterious Songbird Disease

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), there’s an Illness affecting songbirds across the state… and it’s spread to other states as well. The source of the illness is still in identified and can also affect backyard chickens, so owners are strongly encouraged to protect their flocks.

What should or can we do?

• immediately stop feeding wild birds

• remove and clean all birdfeeders and empty bird baths and sanitize well

• Report any sighting of a sick or dead bird to the ODNR

• if you have backyard chickens, the best strategy is to protect your chickens from any potential exposure to wild birds.

I’m going to have a very hard time with this last one, because sparrows and finches can easily get into my chicken enclosure. I guess that’s going to have to fall under the category of “hope for the best”. Seems a lousy strategy, but it’s the best I can do.

Check back with the ODNR for the latest info on this disease. Any other pandemics wanna take a stab at us?! UGH!