H5 bird flu is currently present in New Zealand, so it’s important to be more thoughtful about how we feed wild birds.
Shared feeding areas can increase the risk of disease transmission when lots of birds gather in one place. For that reason, we recommend following the latest MPI and DOC guidance for your area and keeping any feeder you use as clean as possible.
Our Easy Clean™ Feeder was designed with this in mind. It is quick to rinse, easy to take apart, and only intended to feed around 1–2 birds at a time, helping reduce crowding around the feeding area.
If you choose to feed wild birds, we recommend:
- washing and rinsing your feeder at least every 2 days
- replacing old nectar rather than topping it up
- keeping the area around the feeder clean
- removing the feeder if large numbers of birds begin gathering
- stopping feeding if you notice sick or dead birds nearby
BirdBrew is designed to make backyard feeding simple, but bird health comes first. Please keep checking the latest MPI and DOC advice as the situation develops.
For more information on H5 bird flu please visit: https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/wildlife-health/avian-influenza/