Sheep breeder protects pure breed flock with birdnet screen installation

Birds can pose significant challenges to the health and welfare of livestock in sheds via contamination of food and disease transmission.

We spoke to award-winning sheep breeder, Tom Blackwood, about how he has improved on-farm biosecurity after installing the UK’s first Galebreaker Birdnet screen.

Why protect livestock buildings from birds? 

Based in Stewarton, Kilmarnock, Tom’s buildings are used to house his award-winning Ayrshire Valais Blacknose sheep throughout the year, accommodating animals while lambing and during show season.

“With birds frequently coming into the sheds either to roost or scavenge for food, there was a threat of contamination which posed a potential danger to our flock’s health,” says Tom.

“The birds were attacking sheep feed bags and making a mess over gates and railings that we regularly touch while working. Feed and water troughs were also being affected,” says Tom.

“We were keen to find a quick and easy solution to preventing any disease risk from the bird muck while still allowing plenty of ventilation.”

What are the disease risks from birds?

Birds have the potential to carry and transmit various pathogens and therefore, pose serious disease risks to housed livestock.

• Pathogens associated with diseases such as paratuberculosis, salmonella and cryptosporidiosis can be present in wild rodent and bird excrement.
• Stored livestock feed can attract pest, increasing the risk of disease

Finding the right on farm biosecurity solution

Tom’s search for an effective deterrent led him to Duncan Davidson, an agricultural welder fabricator, who has regularly installed Galebreaker products on farm over the past six years.

After a site visit Tom and Duncan Davidson, decided that a manual Galebreaker Agridoor would be better suited for the job, replacing the existing up-and-over roller panel doors.

These had presented a problem as when closed during the summer, the shed was becoming too hot without adequate airflow.

Duncan says; “The birdnet is the perfect choice for any livestock farmer looking to meet farm and grain assurance standards for pest contamination, as well as help protect livestock health.”

Bird-proofing lambing sheds

Galebreaker’s birdnet screen is a practical, durable solution for proofing farm buildings against birds. With the health of livestock a priority, particularly during lambing, it’s important that droppings, feather and other debris from birds is mitigated from farm sheds to reduce disease risk.

What are the benefits of birdnet screen?

As demonstrated in Tom’s flock, birdnet screens offer many advantages to livestock farmers, through improved biosecurity, and the protection of grain and feed stores. Additional benefits include:

• 14mm mesh allows maximum airflow and natural light
• Flexibility and easy installation
• Can be retrofitted to existing shed door frames
• Secures buildings against unwanted avian visitors
• Designed and manufactured in the UK

For Tom, the birdnet was an innovative solution that supported his existing management practices.

Since the installation of Galebreaker’s Birdnet screen, he has seen a reduced contamination risk from bird droppings.

“These screens do the job perfectly. They’re a big improvement, in helping keep birds and other rodents out. I’m really pleased,” he adds.