Compulsory stables in the Cloppenburg district: bird flu causes alarm!

Compulsory stables in the Cloppenburg district: bird flu causes alarm!

Bird flu continues to spread in Lower Saxony and is forcing poultry farmers to take drastic measures. From Tuesday, October 27, 2025, a stable requirement applies to all poultry farms with more than 50 animals in the Cloppenburg district. This general order comes into force at midnight and affects, among other things, chickens, geese and turkeys. This is intended to prevent contact between wild birds and poultry, as the district considers the risk of introduction to be high. The basis for this decision is the resting of many wild birds in the region and the high density of poultry farms, as n-tv reports.

A similar stable requirement has been in effect in Gifhorn since last Saturday and has been implemented for both private and commercial animal husbandry. In Garrel, a town in the Cloppenburg district, a total of four outbreaks have been confirmed in turkey fattening farms since mid-October, with 36,300 turkeys already affected. An outbreak at a farm with 5,300 ducks also led to the animals being culled. The spread of bird flu is also evident in surrounding regions, while the Friedrich Loeffler Institute has documented the detection of further outbreaks, as ndr reports.

Reactions and recommendations

Poultry farmers in Lower Saxony are calling for compulsory stables across the country in order to protect the animals and prevent the virus from spreading further. The CDU parliamentary group leader has advocated that there should also be practical exceptions for goose farmers. These voices are accompanied by the warning that the highly contagious virus variant HPAIV (H5N1) is already widespread in various regions and the situation must be taken seriously. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes the urgency of reducing the spread to a minimum, while at the same time discussing compensation for affected owners, as zdf reports.

In addition, nature conservation associations draw attention to the dangers posed by diseased wild birds. Feeding of wild birds should be avoided and sick or dead animals must be reported. Another cause for concern are the dead cranes that have been found in various districts, including Diepholz. These bird species are particularly vulnerable and often signal the spread of the virus.

Given the dramatic developments, it is essential that both livestock owners and the public show vigilance and responsibility to contain the spread of bird flu. The next few days will show whether the measures in the affected districts are sufficient to bring the situation under control and prevent further outbreaks.