Avian flu news alone needn't close your bird feeder

For avian flu and bird feeder hygiene, you can usually keep feeding wild birds, but clean feeders and bird baths at least weekly, remove damp or spoiled food daily, and pause feeding if ill or dead birds appear nearby or local advice tells you to do so. Keep wild-bird feeding equipment well away from captive birds, and check current DEFRA, APHA and local authority guidance.

Check your garden before feeding today

Check for illness, official notices and captive birds, then make the right decision for your garden.

Keep feeding where birds look well

Keep feeding if birds are active, there are no sick or dead birds nearby, and Defra, APHA or your local authority has issued no different local advice. Put out only enough seed for between one and two days, rather than filling a large tray for a week.

Pause feeding if illness appears

If you find sick wild birds, watch from a distance rather than trying to catch, feed or inspect them closely. Signs that merit caution include unusual lethargy, poor balance, swollen heads or eyes, breathing difficulty, twisted necks, or birds that do not fly away when approached. Do not touch dead birds with bare hands, and keep children and pets away from the area. Check current Defra guidance, APHA advice and local authority guidance for the relevant reporting route, as reporting criteria can change by species, number of birds and location.

If removal is advised, use disposable gloves, avoid contact with droppings, seal waste as directed and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

Separate poultry from wild-bird activity

Keep wild-bird feeding and captive-bird care apart to cut cross-contamination.

Create two completely separate zones

Set up one area for wild-bird feeding and another for captive-bird care, keeping the equipment used in each area separate.

Protect water and stored feed

Keep water and stored feed within their respective zones so that wild birds and captive birds do not share them.

Where chickens, ducks or other captive birds are kept, place any wild bird feeding station as far from the enclosure, run, water source and feed store as the garden allows. Do not use the same boots, gloves, scoop, brush or bucket in both areas: even apparently clean footwear can carry mud and droppings that create cross-contamination. Keep poultry feed in closed containers, prevent wild birds from reaching it, and do not leave standing water where wild birds and poultry can drink from the same source.

Wash hands after handling feeders and before entering the poultry area. These poultry biosecurity measures also matter when no outbreak has been announced, because they reduce routine contact between wild-bird activity and captive bird care.

Wash feeders before using disinfectant

Wash off food and droppings first, then disinfect only the clean surface.

Remove old food and visible dirt

Start by removing spoiled food, droppings and debris before disinfecting the feeder.

Disinfect, dry and refill

For thorough bird feeder cleaning, prepare a dedicated bucket, brush, gloves and a place away from food preparation and captive birds. First tip out spoiled bird food and damp bird seed, then remove loose droppings and debris with a brush or disposable paper. Wash every part with hot water and detergent, including ports, perches, trays and threads, because disinfectant works poorly through grease and organic dirt. Rinse if the detergent label requires it, apply a compatible disinfectant at the label dilution and leave it for its stated contact time.

Rinse again where directed, allow all parts to dry fully, and only then refill with fresh seed. Bag discarded food and cleaning waste before placing it in the household bin.

Refresh food, water and the ground below

Inspect the whole feeding station daily and remove the mess before birds concentrate around it.

Use this weekly routine

• Each day: replace water, remove wet food and check for sick birds.
• Every two to three days in wet or busy periods: wash trays, perches and bird-bath rims.
• At least weekly: dismantle feeders, wash, disinfect where appropriate, dry and refill.
• After visible fouling: clean immediately rather than waiting for the planned wash day.

What people ask

Should i stop feeding birds because of avian flu?

Usually, no: healthy garden birds can still be fed if food is fresh and feeders are cleaned at least weekly. Pause if several sick or dead birds appear nearby, official local advice says so, or hygiene cannot be maintained.

What can i use to disinfect bird feeders?

Use hot water and detergent first, then a suitable disinfectant exactly as its label directs. Check dilution, contact time, rinsing instructions and whether it is safe for plastic, metal or wood.

Can coffee grounds stop bird flu near feeders?

No, coffee grounds do not disinfect seed, soil or feeder parts against avian influenza. Remove damp food and droppings, clean the surface, and keep the area dry instead.

What should poultry keepers do with wild feeders?

Keep wild feeders, equipment and footwear separate from poultry housing at all times. Follow current APHA biosecurity rules, especially if an AIPZ or other local restriction is in force.

Make the next check part of feeding

Make a one-minute inspection part of every refill, and hygiene becomes manageable rather than alarming.

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Editorial Team

Our team consists of passionate British birdwatchers and garden wildlife enthusiasts. We provide honest, practical advice on feeding garden birds, choosing the right feeders, and making your outdoor space a haven for UK wildlife — guided by RSPB best practice and real garden experience.