Poultry and Bird Containment Shelters

Housing Birds During Avian Influenza Measures

When bird-flu risk rises, DEFRA and APHA can bring in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with mandatory housing measures, usually over the autumn and winter months. While those measures are in force, farms and their keepers must keep their birds under cover and away from wild birds, and anyone keeping 50 or more birds is typically required to house them.

A temporary marquee gives you covered space at short notice, so you can house birds quickly and support your biosecurity without waiting on a permanent building. It also comes down again once measures lift, which suits the seasonal nature of housing orders.

Because the rules change through the season, always check the current position and your obligations on GOV.UK before you rely on any structure for compliance. A shelter helps you house your birds and maintain biosecurity, but meeting the requirements remains your responsibility as the keeper.

Aviaries and Bird Enclosures

For breeders and keepers of captive birds, a covered structure makes a practical aviary or enclosure. Weatherproof cover protects birds from rain, wind and strong sun, while enclosed sides keep them contained and reduce contact with wild birds.

With enclosed sidewalls and adjustable openings, you can create a sheltered space that's comfortable for the birds and easy to manage day to day.

Poultry Pens and Temporary Housing

Covered pens are useful well beyond outbreak season. A temporary shelter gives you somewhere to separate birds, rear young stock, isolate new arrivals, or quarantine birds before introducing them to an existing flock.

Quick to put up and move, a covered pen lets you adapt your setup as flock numbers and needs change through the year.

Why Use a Marquee for Bird Containment?

A temporary structure suits bird keeping for a few practical reasons:

Fast to deploy — Set up quickly when you need cover at short notice, which matters when housing measures are announced with limited warning.

Expandable — Modular structures such as the Fusion range can be extended or reconfigured as your containment needs grow.

Weatherproof — Waterproof, UV-stable covers and heavy-duty frames protect birds from the elements through the colder months.

Easy to clean — PVC covers can be wiped down and disinfected, which helps you maintain the hygiene standards good biosecurity depends on.

Keeping Birds Healthy Under Cover

Housing birds well matters as much as housing them quickly. A few things to plan for:

Ventilation — Airflow keeps the interior healthy and helps manage condensation, so use adjustable sides or vents rather than sealing the structure completely.

Space — Avoid overcrowding; give birds enough room for the time they'll be housed.

Dry, clean flooring — Keep litter dry and surfaces cleanable to support hygiene and comfort.

Separation from wild birds — Enclosed sides and secure entry points reduce contact with wild birds and the contamination they can carry.

Choosing the Right Structure

The best option depends on how many birds you're covering and for how long. Smaller pens and gazebos suit a handful of birds or short-term separation, while larger PVC marquees and Fusion structures provide room to house a full flock through a season. For longer use, prioritise ventilation, cleanable covers and a frame you can secure firmly with weights or ground fixings in exposed spots.

Talk to Us About Bird Containment

Whether you're housing a flock during a bird-flu housing order, setting up an aviary, or building temporary pens, we can help you choose the right structure for your birds. Call our team on 01709 242454 for practical advice on covering and containing poultry and captive birds.