Bird Flu Outbreak Wipes Out 3,000 Hens at Matteson Farm
The Devastating Loss
A family-run farm in south suburban Matteson was left grappling with a devastating loss after a bird flu outbreak wiped out its entire flock of nearly 3,000 hens. Kakadoodle Farm, an online farmers market, has been delivering organic, chemical-free produce to homes in the area since 2020.
The Initial Discovery
Owners MariKate and Marty Thomas were first tipped off to the problem when they walked into their coop and discovered that about 30 hens had died without symptoms. The couple initially thought that freezing temperatures were to blame – until the next day, when the number of deaths tripled.
The Diagnosis
After consulting with their local veterinarian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture was called in to investigate. USDA officials arrived at the farm on Friday and later that day confirmed that the birds had contracted bird flu. By then, only about 500 of their hens were still alive.
The Cause of the Outbreak
USDA officials told the couple that the flock was likely infected by wild birds getting into the chicken feed. The outbreak highlights the risks of raising birds in a natural environment, where they are exposed to the elements and wild animals.
The Impact on the Farm
The flock produced about 2,000 eggs a week for the online marketplace, resulting in a huge financial loss for the farm. The farm is now under a 150-day quarantine, and the owners are seeking help to keep their farm running until they can begin selling again in June.
The Road to Recovery
After the quarantine, the owners hope to build up the flock and construct a new-and-improved chicken coop that will help protect from any future outbreaks. Marty Thomas believes that the experience can be an opportunity for growth and learning, saying, “People that go through hard times, they can either ask, ‘Why me?’ or they can ask ‘What’s next?’ We’re choosing to ask what’s next.”
Conclusion
The bird flu outbreak at Kakadoodle Farm is a sobering reminder of the risks involved in raising animals in a natural environment. While the loss is devastating, the farm’s owners are choosing to focus on the future and find ways to rebuild and improve their operations.
FAQs
* What caused the bird flu outbreak at Kakadoodle Farm?
– The cause of the outbreak was likely wild birds getting into the chicken feed.
* How many hens were affected?
– Almost 3,000 hens were affected, with only about 500 remaining alive.
* What is the impact on the farm’s operations?
– The farm is under a 150-day quarantine, and the owners are seeking help to keep their farm running until they can begin selling again in June.
* What is the plan for rebuilding and improving the farm’s operations?
– After the quarantine, the owners hope to build up the flock and construct a new-and-improved chicken coop that will help protect from any future outbreaks.
