Spring migration renews avian flu pressure on Quebec poultry farms
Quebec poultry producers are tightening biosecurity as spring bird migration raises avian flu risks again, while researchers develop an AI-based outbreak warning system.
The spring migration of wild birds has again become a high-risk period for poultry producers in Quebec. CBC, citing data from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, reported that more than 1.5 million birds in the province have died from the virus since December 2021. For producers, that means renewed concern about outbreaks and a return to strict day-to-day biosecurity routines on farms.
Luce Belanger, a member of the executive committee of Chicken Farmers of Canada, said lower case numbers in recent years do not justify complacency. She said producers still need to disinfect equipment, change boots and clothing, and wash hands every time they enter a barn, even for a very short visit. In her account, one small lapse can trigger losses that are far greater than the time saved by cutting corners.
The report explains that avian flu risk typically peaks during spring and fall migration. Infected wild birds such as geese and ducks can land on farmland near commercial poultry operations, and the virus can persist in feces, water and soil, contaminating clothing, boots and equipment. If infection is detected in a flock, birds must be culled. Quebec recorded seven confirmed cases in commercial poultry flocks in 2025, including at Canards du Lac Brome in Knowlton. During an earlier outbreak in 2022, that company had to slaughter 150,000 birds and lay off 300 workers, and recovery took at least a year.
Farmers also describe a heavy psychological burden alongside the financial damage. Belanger, who runs a small broiler farm in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, recalled the constant fear she felt during earlier outbreaks in her area. CFIA data cited by CBC show that Canadian poultry producers received $230 million in compensation between December 2021 and October 2024, but producers say compensation does not cover every loss and does not remove the emotional strain of living with the risk.
Researchers are now trying to improve outbreak prediction. University of Guelph immunology professor Shayan Sharif said Canada should consider vaccination as an added layer of protection, although that would require strict surveillance and extensive testing. For now, scientists are building an AI-based dashboard that combines proximity to migratory routes, satellite imagery, seasonal ponds, weather data, social media reports and even the type and growth stage of nearby crops. The goal is to generate risk maps that show which regions are most vulnerable during a given period and give producers more time to prepare.