Thats a good point about H5N1. There are many strains of H5N1, and most are spread through wild birds and are not of concern to humans. The asian strain that is of a big concern is HPAI A(H5N1), becuase even in the rare instances it spreads to humans it is extremely severe. Fortunately HPAI A(H5N1) has never been detected in the United States. If it came to Iowa though, backyard chickens would proabably be the least of our concerns. Backyard chickens would have to be eradicated, along with commercial chickens.

So the point is well taken that people would have to get rid of backyard chickens if HPAI A(H5N1) spread to the area, even though bird to human transmission is ineffecient. Lets hope that does not happen though, if for no other reason for our commercial egg production industy, which is huge. Of course for this reason there are great efforts being taken to keep this virus out of our country.

Animal to human transmission of visuses such as the bird flu come from animals and humans sharing the same living and sleeping quarters, not the same property. Otherwise bird flu would be rampant, as most yards already have several birds living in or around them.

Hmm.. Chicken poop a carcinogen? How is that? Do you have a reference for that, I would like to check it out? Thanks