7 Factsheets on wild bird deterrents

Avian Influenza poses a significant threat to poultry health, public health, and the global agricultural economy. The growing concern over Avian Influenza (AI) in

commercial poultry operations, particularly free-range systems, has underscored the importance of effective bird deterrents. Wild birds, especially migratory species, act as

natural reservoirs and vectors for both low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses. The transmission pathways, which

include direct contact, contaminated water sources, and environmental vectors such as bird droppings and feathers, make it necessary to mitigate wild bird interactions

with poultry. This summary factsheets are taken from a literature review that explores various bird deterrent strategies including visual, auditory, tactile, habitat modification, exclusion, chemical, reproductive, and

lethal methods and assesses their short- and long-term effectiveness. It evaluates the

implications of these deterrents in reducing AI risks within the free-range poultry

sector, where wild bird contact is most challenging to control.