Bird flu and backyard chickens in New Jersey
Yes, backyard flocks can catch highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and New Jersey confirmed it in poultry in Burlington County in January 2026. The main risk is contact with wild birds and their droppings. The best defenses are keeping your flock under a covered run, away from wild-bird water and spilled feed, and reporting sudden deaths quickly.
How do I protect my backyard flock from bird flu?
Keep wild birds away from your flock and its food and water. Cover the run with a solid roof or netting, feed and water under cover, and clean up spilled feed and standing water. Keep a dedicated pair of coop boots, limit visitors, don't share equipment with other flocks, and quarantine new birds for about 30 days.
- NJDA and Rutgers name contact with wild birds (shared waterers, feeders, or swimming areas) as the main route in.
- If you keep ducks, don't let them use a pond that wild waterfowl visit.
What should I do if my chickens suddenly get sick or die?
Report it right away if birds die suddenly, stop eating or drinking, seem lethargic, have swollen or purple combs, wattles, or legs, struggle to breathe, or stop laying. In New Jersey, call the NJ Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400. Don't move, sell, or give away birds or eggs in the meantime.
- Wear gloves and a mask to handle dead birds. Double-bag them and keep them cold until you're told what to do.
Should I cover my chicken run?
Yes, if you can. A covered run keeps wild-bird droppings, the main source of bird flu, off your flock's ground, feed, and water, and it stops hawks and owls too. A solid roof over the feeding and watering area does the most good. Overhead hardware cloth or netting keeps wild birds from landing among your hens.
Are eggs from my backyard flock safe to eat during a bird flu outbreak?
Eggs from a healthy flock are safe to eat when they're handled and cooked properly: collect daily, refrigerate, and cook until the whites and yolks are firm. Don't eat, sell, or give away eggs from birds that look sick. If you suspect bird flu, stop all egg sales and sharing until a vet or the state checks your flock.
Can people catch bird flu from backyard chickens?
It's possible but uncommon. Public health agencies rate the risk to the general public as low, but people in close contact with infected birds can catch it. Wear gloves and a mask when handling sick or dead birds, wash your hands after chores, keep kids from kissing or snuggling the birds, and leave coop boots outside the house.
Sources
- NJDA: HPAI confirmed in Burlington County (January 2026)
- NJDA Division of Animal Health
- Rutgers NJAES: backyard flock HPAI and biosecurity
- CDC: H5 bird flu current situation
Want a covered run built in from the start? Every Triano Farms coop uses ½-inch hardware cloth and a 2-foot dig-proof skirt. Call or text 973-846-1575, or get a free quote.
Getting the flock ready for cold weather too? See winter chicken care in NJ.
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