Backyard Flocks and the Battle Against Avian Influenza: Strengthening the Weakest Link

Over the past few weeks, the Canadian Prairies have seen a concerning uptick in cases of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). While any rise in cases is troubling, what’s especially noteworthy is that four out of the five recent detections have occurred in non-commercial flocks—commonly referred to as backyard flocks.

This trend sends a clear message: while Canada’s commercial poultry sector remains vigilant and committed to strict biosecurity protocols, the same level of oversight and precaution is not always present in the non-commercial segment. The commercial poultry industry in Canada is one of the most highly regulated in the world, with standards in place to prevent disease introduction and spread. These measures are not optional—they are mandatory, science-based, and rigorously enforced.

Status of ongoing avian influenza response by province - inspection.canada.ca

By contrast, backyard flocks often operate under regulatory exemptions. These smaller, hobbyist setups are not inherently risky, but the lack of enforced biosecurity requirements can leave gaps in disease control. And when it comes to avian influenza, the consequences of these gaps can be devastating—not just for the backyard birds, but for the entire industry.

Poultry health is not siloed. Backyard and commercial flocks may seem worlds apart in scale and operation, but they are interconnected in ways that matter. Viruses don’t respect property lines or business models. Whether it's through shared waterfowl flyways, local movement of birds, or even casual human contact, the potential for cross-contamination is real and present.

Think of Canada’s poultry industry as a chain. It doesn’t matter how strong most links are—if one is weak, the entire chain is vulnerable. Backyard flocks, if left unregulated and unprotected, can become that weakest link.

This recent spike in non-commercial HPAI cases should be a wake-up call to industry and government alike. While the commercial sector is clearly doing its part, it’s time to re-evaluate how we approach backyard flocks. Regulatory exemptions may have made sense under different circumstances, but perhaps it’s time to tie those exemptions to a set of minimum biosecurity standards. These wouldn’t need to be onerous or overly technical—but basic measures like controlled access, no sharing of equipment, limited visitor contact, and prompt reporting of illness could make a real difference.

Encouragement and education are key, but so is accountability. If we truly want to keep Canada’s poultry industry safe and sustainable, we must treat all parts of it—big or small, commercial or non-commercial—with equal care and responsibility.

Because in the fight against avian influenza, we are only as strong as our weakest link.