'There will be turkeys for Christmas'... Kells family poultry farm vows to keep going after avian flu decimates flock

An outbreak of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza at Hogan's Farm near Kells has been described as a “devastating blow” but not one that will put their lights out, by Fintan Hogan who said they will still have turkeys for Christmas sourced from other farms.

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle, Fintan told how in his 50 years in the turkey business he has never seen anything like it and said it is scary how virulent this latest variant appears to be and that within days of finding the first dead birds, thousands had died from the virus.

“On the Sunday morning of last week, there were 20 dead in a batch of 7,000. By Monday morning there were 400 dead and they were nearly all dead by Thursday out of a flock of 7,000. It was so quick and virulent. I have never seen anything like it,” he said.

Other birds on the farm that were not infected also had to be culled and altogether Hogans, one of Ireland's largest turkey producers, lost more than 25,000 birds. Regulations also stipulate that they cannot keep live turkeys on the farm for six months so they will also miss the Easter market.

“We would have lost a lot of birds and the rest of what we had on our farm had to be culled because of being in close proximity even though they weren't infected. We are still not going to be out of turkey though. We will still have turkey that we would be slaughtering here from farms in both Limerick and Monaghan,” explained Fintan.

A large part of Hogan’s family business is rearing their own turkeys- producing around 30,000 each year themselves- but they also have a large processing plant that takes in about the same amount again from other farms and that end of the business will continue. The farm shop and cafe is also operating as normal.

“Our factory and our shop and cafe are all still running. There is no diminution of activity there. They are still there in full flow and we will have turkeys for Christmas. They just won't be turkeys reared on our farm.

“The whole system is still here. It is a huge blow to the business, but it is not a blow that is going to put the lights out, provided we get the birds in that we are meant to get in”, he added.

However, it will be an anxious few weeks between now and Christmas for Hogans Farm and turkey producers around the country for fear of further outbreaks.

“It's fingers crossed time. Each day that goes by is another day towards Christmas but still an awful long way to go,” said Fintan. He said the housing order which came into effect yesterday (Monday) would help and that most farmers had already implemented it even before it was law as they are very cognisant of the dangers of the virus which “shows no mercy whatsoever”.

As a major commercial producer, Hogans Farm takes biosecurity extremely seriously with only two or three staff having access to the turkey houses. However, even with following the most stringent of measures, Fintan said the reality is it can still get in.

He also feels the uncharacteristically mild weather has played a part in the spread of the virus. “Given the number of outbreaks, the virus seems to be very adaptable. The milder weather is helping the virus to spread and helping it to get in. The last three weeks have been very mild, no frost and no cold at all.”

Fintan has also thanked people for their support following the outbreak on their farm. “We have been very encouraged and humbled by the messages of support and sympathy from customers and people who work with us and the general public, that has been fantastic.”