College bird rehabilitation a flying success

Chickens are released into their new enclosure

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Animal Management students at Hopwood Hall College have been rehabilitating the college’s avian species after the government relaxed special bird flu measures.

Due to the government’s avian influenza preventive measures, all of the bird species the college houses as part of its animal management courses have been kept indoors since the beginning of December.

Whilst enhanced biosecurity measures are still in place at the college, the relaxation has given students opportunity to update and improve old enclosures, as well as developing new enrichment provisions in the birds’ new habitats.

The animals also receive detailed health checks from students, guided by specialist staff who provide around the clock care for the animals through the year.

Among the various species of ducks, chickens and exotic birds being rehabilitated, the resident Rheas, around 5ft in height, proved to be the trickiest.

Sarah Whitehurst, Programme Manager of Animal Management & Horticulture at the college, said: “Being one of the largest animals we house at the college, the Rheas definitely provided a challenge for our staff and students.

“All our staff and students involved handled it well. Taking some positives from the biosecurity measures; the nature of our vocational courses means the rehabilitation process has provided further opportunities for our students to acquire industry standard skills and experiences that classroom based learning does not provide.”

“Our students have been have been brilliant at using their initiative to problem solve, keeping up to date with the changing governmental advice and applying their knowledge to promote the welfare of the animals in their care whilst working within DEFRA restrictions.”

The college’s Middleton campus will be open to the public on the 10 June for its annual Summer Fun Day, where all the animals, from Meerkats to Monitor Lizards, can be seen for free.