'In the Coop' is an educational podcast brought to you by the Poultry Industry Council. The show explores relevant and interesting topics pertaining to poultry production in Ontario. Tune in monthly as we explore the ins and outs of the Ontario poultry with various industry experts.
Episode 41: Wildlife, Bird Migration, HPAI Risk & Preparing for Fall
As fall arrives, millions of wild birds move through Ontario — but don't forget other wildlife are also on the move. It is during that seasonal change that poultry producers should consider all aspects of their biosecurity planning.
In this episode of In the Coop, Charlotte Wall and Tom Lewis speak with Chris Sharp, Population Management Biologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, about wildlife, not just bird migration, but also seasonal HPAI risk and what poultry producers can do to prepare their farms for fall and winter.
Chris explains what triggers migration, why different bird species migrate at different times, and why periods when birds congregate can be particularly important from a disease-risk perspective. The conversation also explores the role of waterfowl, scavenging wildlife and other species that may interact with poultry farms. The recent research shows interesting trends, and understanding is the first step to preparing.
For producers, the discussion turns to practical measures that can help reduce opportunities for wildlife to interact with poultry and the production environment — including managing standing water and feed spills, protecting feed and water, maintaining barn integrity, managing deadstock and reviewing traffic, equipment and footwear biosecurity.
The episode also emphasizes an important point: producers don't need to wait for wild birds to arrive before reviewing their biosecurity practices. Fall is an ideal time for a practical biosecurity reset.
Resources
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Information on migratory birds and Canadian bird surveys
Ontario — Avian Influenza in Poultry
Ontario: Avian influenza in poultry
Ontario — Biosecurity Recommendations for Commercial Poultry Flocks
Ontario: Biosecurity recommendations for commercial poultry flocks
Ontario's biosecurity recommendations specifically address wild birds, wildlife exclusion, feed and water contamination, deadstock management and maintaining barn integrity.
Ontario — Avian Influenza / Animal Health Information
Ontario: Avian influenza
Ontario recommends reporting sick or dead birds and other wildlife found on your property to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC)
Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (https://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Ontario wildlife reporting
If you find sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife on your property, avoid direct contact and report the finding to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
CWHC Ontario Regional Centre
📞 1-866-673-4781
📧 on-nu@cwhc-rcsf.ca (mailto:on-nu@cwhc-rcsf.ca)
Ontario's current animal-health guidance identifies the CWHC as the organization to contact regarding sick or dead wildlife and notes that wildlife may be submitted for testing at the University of Guelph's Animal Health Laboratory.
CWHC Avian Influenza Testing Results
CWHC Avian Influenza Testing Results
This page provides current CWHC information on avian influenza testing results, including dead-bird surveillance data.
Please note: For concerns about sick poultry or increased mortality in a domestic flock, producers should contact their veterinarian. Ontario guidance directs veterinarians with suspected avian influenza to contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
1 Sept 2026
Episode 40: Deadstock Management Update: Are Scavengers Still Getting the Invitation?
Preventing Scavenging of Deadstock: What's Changed and What Still Works?
We're revisiting deadstock management with OMAFA Poultry Specialist Al Dam. Following our March 2025 conversation with Al Dam and Dan Ward, we're taking another look at predator-proof designs, scavenger prevention, biosecurity and the practical things producers should be checking on their farms.
In this episode, Al Dam will explain practical insights for meaningful management of deadstock.
The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) website https://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/ includes reports and submission information, including their phone number: 1.866.673.4781
A copy of OMAFA's deadstock management sheet is also found here: www.poultryindustrycouncil.ca/downloads/hpai-deadstock-omafra.pdf
4 Aug 2026
Episode 39: Hot Weather Load Out
High temperatures can increase the risk of heat stress during broiler catching and transport, making careful planning essential for protecting bird welfare.
In this episode of In the Coop, hosts speak with Sarah Sheppard of Moonfleet Poultry about preparing flocks for hot weather loadouts. Sarah discusses the importance of planning around weather conditions, maximizing barn ventilation, maintaining water availability before catching, coordinating with catching crews and transporters, and recognizing the early signs of heat stress.
Listeners will gain practical, on-farm strategies to help improve bird comfort, reduce transport losses, and ensure a safe and successful loadout during the hottest days of the year.
Key topics include:
Scheduling loadouts during cooler parts of the day
Preparing barns for hot weather catching
Managing ventilation and water access
Coordinating with catching crews and transporters
Recognizing and responding to heat stress
Who has been a guest on In The Coop
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Maggy Watson
Janelle Cardiff
David Speller
Christine Brown
Al Dam
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
686,661
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
58
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
0
Contact In The Coop
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about In The Coop
Who hosts In The Coop?
Charlotte Wall and Tom Lewis host the show. Published by Poultry Industry Council.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does In The Coop take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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