Bird Flu Slams Martha’s Vineyard: Why Even Healthy Chickens Vanish Overnight

Bird Flu Slams Martha’s Vineyard: Why Even Healthy Chickens Vanish Overnight

Lianna Tedesco

Sat, January 10, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC

5 min read

Veterinarians vaccinate against diseases in poultry such as farm chickens, H5N1 H5N6 Avian Influenza (HPAI), which causes severe symptoms and rapid death of infected poultry.© PPK_studio/Shutterstock.com

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The post Bird Flu Slams Martha’s Vineyard: Why Even Healthy Chickens Vanish Overnight appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

The 350 chickens at Slough Farm were euthanized to prevent potential spread.
Precautions must be taken when managing backyard flocks in areas with a Bird Flu outbreak.
Counter-intuitively, asymptomatic birds can spread HPAI long before any physical symptoms appear.
A mandatory 30-day quarantine is essential for every bird entering an established flock.

It’s officially flu season, and humans aren’t the only ones who need to take precautions to avoid getting sick. Bird flu has been reported on Martha’s Vineyard, and officials are encouraging caution for local chicken owners. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, has a mortality rate of 75%-100% in chickens, turkeys, and other wild birds. The good news is that while highly contagious, it can be prevented.

An infographic titled 'Bird Flu Outbreak on Martha's Vineyard,' detailing HPAI facts, spread mechanisms, symptoms in chickens, and prevention best practices. It features icons of chickens, farm elements, and hygiene actions. — Martha's Vineyard grapples with a hidden crisis: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) silently devastates flocks, often without warning. Learn how to protect your birds before it's too late. © A-Z Animals

Bird Flu Hits Martha’s Vineyard

While the recent outbreak on Martha’s Vineyard is concerning, bird flu is not unusual. Outbreaks have become a recurring issue since 2022, with major cases also reported in 2025. The most recent outbreak hit the Slough Farm in Edgarton, wiping out nearly half of its chicken flock. According to The Vineyard Gazette, the nonprofit farm houses approximately 350 chickens. The remaining chickens were euthanized by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources as a precaution to prevent further spread of the virus. Prior to this, the Slough Farm used its chickens and their eggs for its community’s food equity programs.

Lovely group of chickens flocking together no feathers flying just community building establishing the pecking order in the grass and dirt with part of a building in the background proud combs showing — Bird flu is more prevalent during the winter months.
©Nora Daniel Art/Shutterstock.com

The outbreak is causing concern among Martha’s Vineyard locals, particularly those who also own chicken coops. Property lines are not enforced there, which means chickens are typically free to wander. This means highly contagious illnesses such as HPAI are easily transmitted from flock to flock. Officials are urging locals to keep their chickens inside or in covered pens, remove open feeders and water stations, and ensure there’s distance between themselves and neighbors.

How Does Bird Flu Spread?

Bird flu easily spreads between flocks due to close contact. It can be spread through shared water or food sources by saliva, feces, and nasal excretions. By the time one chicken begins showing signs, several more are likely infected, which is how entire flocks are lost. Humans interacting with chickens can also unintentionally spread the virus by moving infected food, chickens, or eggs. Some chickens may not even show signs of illness, making it difficult to determine how fast the virus has spread.

chicken and rooster in the chicken coop agriculture — The virus can be passed easily from chicken to chicken in tight enclosures.
©Bondareva Elena/Shutterstock.com

Thankfully, transmission of bird flu from chickens to humans is rare. If a human is infected, it’s usually because the virus has entered their nose, mouth, or eyes. Direct contact is typically the biggest culprit, though a person can also get sick by inhaling the virus. It’s crucial that anyone handling infected chickens wear protective gear and wash their hands thoroughly before touching their face.

What Are the Symptoms of Bird Flu in Chickens?

Some chickens might be asymptomatic (showing no signs) or may become very sick. The incubation period can range from 2 to 14 days, but some chickens may show signs of illness as early as 24 hours after infection. Early signs of bird flu include:

Green diarrhea or loose stool
Loss of appetite
Respiratory issues such as coughing or nasal discharge
Swelling, including the head, waddles, and eyes
Sudden loss of interest in food or socializing
Reduced egg production or soft shells

If a chicken has any of these symptoms and dies suddenly, chicken owners should immediately contact their vet. It’s also a good idea to alert the local authorities, as the bird flu can spread rapidly without warning.

When the Bird Flu Spreads Outside the Flock

Bigger issues evolve when the bird flu spreads outside the flock. Free-roaming chickens may come into contact with other local fowl, which can worsen the outbreak. Coops near water or woodlands may come into contact with geese, turkeys, or other waterfowl, which can then spread the virus beyond one backyard. As birds migrate, they can also carry the virus, spreading it to locations far from the patient zero.

Extreme close-up of a rhode island red chicken head — New chickens should be quarantined for at least 30 days to ensure they’re healthy.
©Christiane Godin/Shutterstock.com

Bird flu can also be spread by open feeders and water stations. If local wildlife eat or drink from the same place where an infected chicken has been, they can spread the virus. If cases are reported in your area, it’s essential to remove these and keep them inside closed pens.

Winter marks the onset of avian flu, when chickens and other birds flock together for warmth. These close quarters help spread the virus, which is why it’s so prominent this time of the year. For migrating birds, stress from weather and lack of shelter also weakens their immune systems. This leaves them more susceptible to illnesses, such as bird flu. As cold air sweeps in, particularly in states that experience harsher winters, the virus continues to thrive.

How to Prevent Bird Flu

The best practices for bird flu season include proper handwashing, washing clothes that have come into contact with chickens, and keeping chickens in covered pens. The goal is to prevent the virus from spreading while also protecting chickens from feral birds. More often than not, a flock is infected by an outside bird.

Avoid sharing crates, feed, or tools with other coops, as this can also spread the virus. Visitors to your property should also wash their hands and avoid touching other birds. Any new chickens entering the flock should be quarantined for at least 30 days before being introduced to the rest of the flock.

The post Bird Flu Slams Martha’s Vineyard: Why Even Healthy Chickens Vanish Overnight appeared first on A-Z Animals.

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