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Bird flu alarm: compulsory stables for poultry throughout the district!
Current stable requirements due to the H5N1 avian influenza in Mansfeld-Südharz and neighboring districts from November 2025.
Bird flu alarm: compulsory stables for poultry throughout the district!
Avian influenza is currently spreading rapidly in Germany, which is not without consequences in the local regions. The districts of Märkisch-Oderland and Oberhavel in particular have already taken drastic measures and ordered all commercial poultry farmers to have stables. This decision follows the detection of infected wild birds spotted in the county and the associated risk of further spread of the disease. However, private owners remain unaffected by these obligations, as topagrar.com reports.
Poultry and other kept birds must now be kept in closed houses or under appropriate facilities to protect them from the threat of the virus. Many owners are also recommended to house their animals in closed stables. The stable requirement is a response to the discovery of infected cranes in the Potsdam district, which reported the first case of avian influenza. The districts of Spree-Neiße, Cottbus and Teltow-Fläming also had to react to similar decisions and will also introduce corresponding stable requirements from Wednesday.
Urgency of the situation
The virulent disease caused by the H5N1 virus is particularly aggressive this fall. The RND highlights that several outbreaks have already been registered in Germany between September and October 2025. More than 500,000 domestic and wild birds were killed to prevent the virus from spreading. The federal states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Brandenburg are particularly affected. Contact with wild birds is the main source of transmission of this highly contagious disease.
The symptoms in poultry are serious: apathy, refusal to eat, high fever and breathing problems are just a few signs that require immediate attention. Owners must immediately report any suspected cases to the veterinary office, as quick action is required. It is important to keep the risk of infection as low as possible by avoiding direct contact with wild birds.
Recommendations for poultry farmers
The risks are clearly defined and the authorities recommend concrete protective measures for all poultry farmers. This includes securing the stables from unauthorized access and handling feed and bedding carefully. Protective clothing and hygiene are of central importance to ensure that no contamination gets into the inventory. Quarantine for newly admitted animals is also essential. However, there is not a general obligation to have stables throughout the country, as the decision rests with the respective districts.
In order not to further aggravate the situation, especially in the run-up to Christmas, poultry exhibitions and markets are initially prohibited for 30 days. Violations of the stable requirement can even be punished with severe fines of up to 30,000 euros.
All owners are advised to keep themselves regularly informed about current developments. The FLI online presence offers comprehensive information on this. General advice on infections and feedback can also be given here.
The situation requires a keen eye and quick action. In this challenging time, in addition to the health of our animals, safety in poultry farming is also a priority.