Recommendations when giving hens access to henyard again

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration revokes the requirement for owners to keep birds inside to reduce the spread of avian influenza at April 20^th, 2023 which means organic poultry can once again go outside. The requirement has meant that organic poultry has had to be kept under cover in the form of roofs or nets due to the risk of being infected by avian influenza by wild birds. The requirement have been in effect since November 23th, 2022, due to national outbreaks of avian influenza and registered contamination of wild birds.

Sensitive to light

There are several precautions that must be taken into consideration when letting hens out again, for instance the fact that the birds are extra sensitive to light. The light outside may be several thousand times stronger than the light inside. This means that it is important to be very careful if the hens have been inside for a long time and are to be let out, says Niels Finn Johansen, Innovation Center for Organic Farming.

- If doors or pop holes are suddenly opened, the chicken may be startled so that they bask away and huddle in the corners of the barn which can result in social clumping and thereby high mortality.

Niels Finn Johansen recommends the following  when letting hens out:

Before you let the hens out

• Check all the way around the fence to make sure it is not defective 
• Check for any signs that the fox has access to the henyard. If necessary, repair the fence
• Remove any dead animals/birds from the henyard
• Check to make sure all doors/pop holes as well as the opening and closing mechanisms are in order

When you let the hens out

• Turn up the brightness of the light inside the barn before open any doors/pop holes
• Open the doors/pop holes slowly, initially only 5 – 10 cm. After a few minutes, open another 5-10 cm, etc., until completely open
• Adjust the light intensity inside to the normal level when the doors are fully open

When the hens are outside

• Keep a close eye on the hens inside and especially outside. If foxes or other predators have access to the henyard, they will certainly show up fairly soon after the animals are let out
• In the evening, the doors/pop holes must be closed again. Before closing them, make sure that all the hens are inside