HPFA officer has informed me that the club was unable to secure a venue for their February 2023 Show.   This is a great loss for the 2023 California poultry show circuit.    Anyone who has exhibited at a HPFA event know that the organizers are wonderful hosts.

We, the National Avian Bowl Co-chairs (Drs. Bradley & Hall) are redoing the National Avian Bowl Study Manual.   However, the new Manual will not be ready until next fall.

So the sections below that have pages are from the 2016 version of the Avian Bowl Manual. The other sections will be available on-line early in the new year.

You need to check this site regularly for details on the 2023 Qualifier, including the entry forms.

       My thanks to United Egg Producers (UEP) for sharing the following.   Over the past 6 days, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported 26 confirmations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).   Most of the confirmations were from backyard flocks.    The fall migration is continuing.    All bird owners should assume that the virus is present in wild birds.

HPAI Being discovered in more counties and in more flocks

       Dr. Jones has shared news that HPAI has been confirmed in one of our Mother Lode counties:

“September 13, 2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detected in a Backyard Flock in El Dorado County

      Thanks to our State Veterinarian, Dr. Jones, for keeping us informed.   Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) unfortunately are on the increase.  They are no longer restricted to wild birds, backyard flocks have tested positive as well.  I will continue to tell my readers what I have been saying for decades:  protect your birds - keep them under a solid cover!  

       From Dr. Jones:

     Dr. Annette Jones, our State Veterinarian, informed me today that HPAI has been confirmed in a WILD Canada goose in Sonoma County.   This is addition to positives in wild waterfowl in Colusa County.  Keep your birds indoors or under a SOLID cover.

             -Dr. Bradley

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) confirmed in Carson City, Nevada

   Want you to have the important announcement and directive below from our State Veterinarian, Dr. Jones.

                                           Be very careful with your birds,

                                            Dr. Bradley

In this Issue:

• OUR 2022 AVIAN BOWL CHAMPIONS
• HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI)
• CALENDAR

OUR 2022 AVIAN BOWL CHAMPIONS

Smiles, lively visiting, and cheers were all part of the gathering for the 2022 California Avian Bowl State Qualifier.   Teams came from all over the state to compete.   However, many competitors and families first caught up with old friends, not seen since the start of the pandemic.

    Thanks to Kevin Simmons (National Poultry Improvement Plan Coordinator, Arkansas) I am able to share this map with you.   No longer are the confirmed cases far, far away.   You can easily see that there are new cases in the west.   Please also note that BACKYARD and commercial flocks alike are being infected.   I will say it again: keep your birds under solid cover and practice the best biosecurity you can.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)  is now on our coast.   The OIE (also known as the World Organization for Animal Health) has confirmed that HPAI  has been isolated on the west coast of the United States.   A bald eagle that died in Vancouver, BC was positive for HPAI.