As waterfowl migration reaches peak, poultry experts urge adherence to biosecurity measures
Oct. 20, 2025
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Migrating birds present avian influenza risks to open-air poultry flocks
- Webinar scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 27
- Register online
(280 words)
(Newsrooms: Download webinar flyer)
LITTLE ROCK — As the southern migration of birds reaches its annual peak over the Southern Plains, poultry keepers, especially hobbyists, prepare to double down on biosecurity measures.
Unlike most commercial poultry operations, backyard flocks are often continuously exposed to outdoor conditions, creating opportunities to interface with migrating birds and their droppings.
On Oct. 10, Dustan Clark, extension veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and associate director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, announced the H5N1 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as “bird flu,” was detected in a backyard flock in Mississippi County. These were the first confirmed cases in the state since January, when two commercial flocks in Cleveland County and one backyard flock in Sharp County confirmed the strain.
The H5N1 strain was first detected in the United States in February 2022. It has now been detected in all 50 states, affecting more than 129 million birds.
Clark will host an Oct. 27 webinar discussing poultry disease risks in small flocks.
"HPAI continues to break in various states,” Clark said. “As the migration of waterfowl has not yet reached peak numbers, it's important that biosecurity protocols be practiced.”
Participation in the webinar is free, but online registration is required. The webinar will begin at 6 p.m.
The Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach and education arm of the Division of Agriculture, posts updates on HPAI confirmations in Arkansas at https://uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/biosecurity/avian-flu/. The page also lists symptoms of HPAI and other facts about the pathogenic strain.
If you suspect you have sick birds in your flock, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture
at 866-536-7593 or the Arkansas Poultry Disease Hot Line at 501-823-1746.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension
Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture
research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture,
visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas
System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
# # #
Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120