South Australian farmers release free-range hens as bird flu spread slows

Some egg and poultry farmers in South Australia are releasing free-range hens from indoor housing as the spread of H5N1 bird flu slows across the state.

The South Australian government issued a voluntary recommendation for producers to keep free-range birds indoors to prevent the spread of the deadly H5N1 virus. This measure followed a rapid increase in confirmed cases among wild birds in the region.

While the state has not recorded any cases of bird flu within the poultry industry, authorities maintain that the risk of the virus entering agricultural settings remains a concern. Darren Letton, a farmer in the Riverland region of South Australia, recently decided to let his hens roam again. Letton initially chose to house his birds in August to protect his flock.

He now believes the current risk level allows for their release, though he remains cautious about the virus's potential to decimate his business. Other producers in the state are making similar choices based on their own risk assessments and the financial costs of keeping birds confined. The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) provided guidance that allows farmers to continue using free-range labeling for up to 90 days even if birds are kept indoors due to bird flu.

This rule helps farmers avoid the immediate cost of switching to barn-laid packaging. Chief veterinarian Skye Fruean says that while detections have slowed, the state will continue monitoring the situation because the virus could still emerge in new species.