Detailed description
Your ducks and geese may only be displayed at a poultry exhibition or a poultry market if these animals have been virologically tested for the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (bird flu) by means of swab samples before the event.
The examination must be carried out no later than 7 days before the event. Samples of 60 animals from your herd are required. If you keep fewer than 60 animals, your entire population must be examined. The result must be negative.
The examination of ducks and geese can be omitted if these animals are kept together with chickens or turkeys.
The chickens or turkeys must be used to detect the introduction or spread of avian influenza at an early stage. (sentinel animals)
You must report this joint keeping of ducks and geese with chickens or turkeys to the competent authority without delay.
The required number of sentinel animals can be found in Appendix 2 of the Avian Influenza Ordinance.