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Bird owners need to register flocks
Published Friday, September 8th, 2006
Keeping a few pet chickens in a backyard coop is a harmless endeavor. Under normal circumstances, the birds would hardly be noteworthy.
But in this era of uncertainty about avian flu, chicks, ducks, turkeys and other poultry have become a lot more interesting to state agriculture officials.
They're asking bird owners to register with the state to help create a database on the location of all hobby flocks statewide.
It's a sensible precaution.
f bird flu were ever to become an issue in the Northwest, this information would allow animal health officials to contact owners quickly and locate flocks that may be in the vicinity of an outbreak. Quick action made possible by a comprehensive bird registry could prevent a more widespread problem.
But many bird owners don't seem to agree. They think their flocks are none of the state's business.
Only about 5 percent of the estimated bird owners in the state have complied since the state's registry began in January.
State agriculture officials say the information would be confidential. They're not interested in information on individual birds, just the locations of the flocks.
Animal identification programs have been in place for years. Some programs are put in place to maintain animal health. Others - like branding - help prevent rustling and allow stray animals to be returned to their rightful owners.
Give the state Department of Agriculture credit for being pro-active on the issue of avian flu.
And, bird owners, please give them the very basic information they are asking for. You'll be protecting everyone - and every bird - in the long run.
For information on the registry program in Oregon, call 503-986-4860 or visit the state Web site at oregon.gov/ODA/ AHID. In Washington, call 360-725-5493 or go to agr.wa.gov on the Web.
Published Friday, September 8th, 2006
Keeping a few pet chickens in a backyard coop is a harmless endeavor. Under normal circumstances, the birds would hardly be noteworthy.
But in this era of uncertainty about avian flu, chicks, ducks, turkeys and other poultry have become a lot more interesting to state agriculture officials.
They're asking bird owners to register with the state to help create a database on the location of all hobby flocks statewide.
It's a sensible precaution.
f bird flu were ever to become an issue in the Northwest, this information would allow animal health officials to contact owners quickly and locate flocks that may be in the vicinity of an outbreak. Quick action made possible by a comprehensive bird registry could prevent a more widespread problem.
But many bird owners don't seem to agree. They think their flocks are none of the state's business.
Only about 5 percent of the estimated bird owners in the state have complied since the state's registry began in January.
State agriculture officials say the information would be confidential. They're not interested in information on individual birds, just the locations of the flocks.
Animal identification programs have been in place for years. Some programs are put in place to maintain animal health. Others - like branding - help prevent rustling and allow stray animals to be returned to their rightful owners.
Give the state Department of Agriculture credit for being pro-active on the issue of avian flu.
And, bird owners, please give them the very basic information they are asking for. You'll be protecting everyone - and every bird - in the long run.
For information on the registry program in Oregon, call 503-986-4860 or visit the state Web site at oregon.gov/ODA/ AHID. In Washington, call 360-725-5493 or go to agr.wa.gov on the Web.