In the event of an H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (AI) outbreak in NSW, poultry producers may be required to comply with a temporary housing order. This is because H5N1 spreads differently to the other avian influenza strains and will potentially affect our native birds and wildlife.
Housing orders present a particular challenge for pasture-raised and free-range egg producers. These orders are designed to keep poultry separate from wild birds and their faeces. This means flocks will need to be confined to covered areas, and any feed or water provided outdoors must be fully protected within these areas.
While housing orders may be introduced quickly, and temporary, they can remain in place for months. For pasture-based systems, this means any solution for confining flocks must be robust, welfare-focused, and practical for daily egg business operations.
With good planning and a clear understanding of the requirements, it is possible to protect your flock, meet regulatory expectations, and maintain business continuity—without compromising bird welfare.
Understanding the key requirements
Housing orders require:
- Poultry to be kept separate from wild birds and their droppings
- Feed and water are only provided in fully covered, wild bird-proofed areas
- Animal welfare needs—such as space, ventilation, and protection from weather—are met
Importantly for egg producers, during an AI outbreak in Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) allow free-range poultry producers a 90-day grace period to continue using “free-range” labels if housing orders require flocks to be confined.
Why planning ahead matters
For pasture-based farms, confining birds entirely inside an existing mobile house is not likely to be viable, with stocking density of the indoor area a limiting factor.
Planning and trialling a housing-order solution before it is needed allows you to:
- Respond quickly and confidently if restrictions are imposed
- Avoid rushed decisions that compromise welfare or safety
- Ensure staff can continue routine daily tasks efficiently
- Protect both your birds and your business
A good starting point is to assess how much additional under cover area your flock will require and what infrastructure you already have and how it could be repurposed.
When considering new infrastructure or equipment, think beyond emergency use. Mobile structures, shade systems, or additional new sheds with everyday benefits makes them a sound investment, even when housing orders are not in place.
Key design considerations
- Stocking density: Enough covered space must be available for your entire flock. The amount of roofed area required will be determined by flock size.
- Construction: Structures or additions to houses to create more indoor or covered outdoor areas need to be robust enough to withstand weather conditions and to protect bird welfare. Flapping tarps and poor construction increase risks or stress, bird entrapment and mortalities.
- Ventilation and protection from weather extremes: Enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces must allow adequate airflow to prevent heat stress, moisture build-up, and respiratory issues.
- Predation risk: Temporary additions to housing need to protect flocks from predators.
- Ease of daily management: Feeding, watering, bird inspections and egg collections must be biosecure, safe and efficient enough to remain in place for prolonged periods of disruption to typical routines.
- Rodent control: Any repurposed infrastructure, such as a hay shed, needs to be free of rodents and wild birds before the flock has access to the area, and will require control for the duration of the housing order.
- Biosecurity: Modified housing arrangements need to incorporate other strict biosecurity measures such as single entry to the area, foot baths and restrict access for non-essential people or other animals.
Practical solutions for pasture-raised systems
There is no single “right” approach—what works best will depend on your house design, flock size, and farm layout. Practical solutions include:
- Use existing fixed infrastructure
Place mobile housing under or adjacent to a large permanent structure—such as a machinery shed or car garage—to provide an immediate increase in floor space with overhead protection. Fix bird-proof netting to exclude wild birds while maintaining airflow. - Create a covered range area with temporary structures
Install temporary fencing around the poultry house or positioning the house next to an existing fence line, to provide a framework for installing a temporary roof and bird proofing. This allows birds to access a covered outdoor area while remaining compliant with housing orders. Cattle yards or panels are possible options. Place large equipment, such as a hay trailer, adjacent to the mobile house and adjacent to the poultry house to provide a simple covered area that is straightforward and cost effective to bird proof.
- Add verandas or awnings to poultry houses
By adding structural elements to the roof of a poultry house, producers can create a veranda or awning that can be fully bird-proofed. This effectively increases usable floor space and reduces pressure on the internal house area. - Co-locate mobile houses and create a spanned, shared roof
Position multiple mobile houses close together and installing a roof between them can create a large, covered confinement area. This approach will assist efficiency for farms running several mobile houses.
