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.
