Deterrence of Wild Waterfowl from Poultry Production Areas

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Deterrence of Wild Waterfowl from Poultry Production Areas Deterrence of wild waterfowl from poultry production areas: a critical review of current techniques and literature by Michael Atzeni, Darren Fielder and Bruce Thomson Deterrence of wild waterfowl from poultry production areas: a critical review of current techniques and literature by Michael Atzeni, Darren Fielder and Bruce Thomson January 2016 AgriFutures Australia Publication No. 17/058 AgriFutures Australia Project No. 009194 © 2018 AgriFutures Australia. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-74254-981-1 ISSN 1440-6845 Deterrence of wild waterfowl from poultry production areas: a critical review of current techniques and literature Publication No. 17/058 Project No. 009194 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to AgriFutures Australia Communications Team on 02 6923 6900. Researcher Contact Details Name: Michael Atzeni Phone: 0408155528 Email: mick@redleafenv.com.au In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to AgriFutures Australia publishing this material in its edited form. AgriFutures Australia Contact Details Building 007, Tooma Way Charles Sturt University Locked Bag 588 Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 02 6923 6900 info@agrifutures.com.au www.agrifutures.com.au Electronically published by AgriFutures Australia in January 2018 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.agrifutures.com.au or phone 1300 634 313 AgriFutures Australia is the new trading name for Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC), a statutory authority of the Federal Government established by the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989. ii Foreword Avian influenza is a constant threat to the Australian poultry industry. Aquatic birds are the main reservoir for low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses and have been implicated in a number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks. Various techniques have been used in other industries to deter and control waterfowl. Their application and effectiveness in the poultry industry to reduce the risk of AI transmission has not been properly investigated. This review looks critically at deterrents in the context of keeping waterfowl away from meat chicken farms. The review draws on the recent literature, various industry reports, and information from experts and manufacturers of products, and is for the benefit of the decision- makers in determining whether waterfowl control measures will be cost-effective in reducing the risk of LPAI and HPAI outbreaks, at least on some farms. The reported findings will also benefit producers looking for guidance on the best waterfowl management techniques. This review was funded by RIRDC (now AgriFutures Australia). The report is an addition to AgriFutures Australia’s diverse range of over 2000 research publications and it forms part of our Chicken Meat Program RD&E Plan 2014-2019, which aims to increase the productivity and efficiency of chicken meat production. Most of AgriFutures Australia’s publications are available for viewing, free downloading or purchasing online at www.agrifutures.com.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313. John Harvey Managing Director AgriFutures Australia iii Acknowledgments Thanks to the following people for their support, advice and information: Vivien Kite, RIRDC; Gary Sansom; QFF; John Tracey, NSW DPI; Tiggy Grillo, AWHN; Peter Scott, Scolexia; Tom Grimes; Rod Jenner; Geof Runge; Nina Kung, DAF; John Muehlebach; Colleen St Clair, University of Alberta; Bob Donely, UQ Gatton; Gary Bauer, UQ Gatton; Mark Callow; David Hedges; Brian Willmett and Des Ryan. Abbreviations AI Avian influenza AIV Avian influenza virus EAD Emergency Animal Disease EADRA Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations HPAI Highly pathogenic avian influenza LPAI Low pathogenic avian influenza iv Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................. iv Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ iv Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... viii Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Australian Surveillance ..................................................................................................................... 1 Meat chicken production facilities ................................................................................................... 2 Waterbirds on poultry farms ............................................................................................................. 3 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 4 Methodology .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Literature review ............................................................................................................................... 4 Collation............................................................................................................................................ 4 Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Results .................................................................................................................................................... 6 Global Avian Influenza situation ...................................................................................................... 6 Australian outbreaks ......................................................................................................................... 6 High AI-risk species.......................................................................................................................... 6 Other potential vectors ...................................................................................................................... 7 Waterfowl on meat chicken farms in the Lockyer Valley region, SEQ ........................................... 8 Australian waterfowl movements between countries ....................................................................... 8 Avian deterrent techniques .................................................................................................................. 9 Auditory deterrents ........................................................................................................................... 9 Gas cannons ................................................................................................................................ 9 Biosonics (bioacoustics)............................................................................................................. 9 Pyrotechnics ............................................................................................................................. 10 Visual deterrents ............................................................................................................................. 10 Effigies ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Falconry .................................................................................................................................... 10 Drones and robots..................................................................................................................... 10 Dogs.........................................................................................................................................
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