At Fridasro 4H farm in Eslöv live the roosters Nugget and Bengt and their eight hens. They too are affected by the new restrictions.
– Normally, they run freely throughout the farm, but now we have to keep them confined, says Anders Olsson, who works at the 4H farm.
Bird flu is a viral disease that can spread from wild to domesticated birds, but does not infect humans. To prevent the spread of infection, all pet bird owners are asked to follow the restrictions from The Swedish Agency for Agriculture.
Six square meter patio
Under the restrictions, all poultry farms that sell eggs or meat must keep the animals indoors 24 hours a day. But since the 4H farm does not sell eggs or meat, their roosters and hens can go outside in a covered enclosure.
– We have a six square meter patio for them with a press screen over it so that droppings from wild birds don’t get in, says Anders Olsson.
So that the roosters and hens don’t feel bad about their limited lives, Anders Olsson and the children who visit the farm try to keep them busy.
– We set up sticks and branches and throw leaves in for them which they can bounce and look for food which is their natural behavior.
2.5 million birds were killed
If the infection were to enter the farm, there would be major consequences.
– We who are in here would not be allowed to leave the farm and if it were to be determined that it is bird flu, everyone who has poultry farms in and around Eslöv would be affected.
According to the Swedish Agency for Agriculture, approximately 2.5 million infected domestic birds had to be euthanized two years ago.
– It is very serious and I hope that everyone takes this seriously and follows the restrictions, says Anders Olsson.