Wild birds are part of the landscape. Always have been, always will be.
But if you run a farm—especially poultry or dairy—you already know they're not just background scenery. They bring real challenges. Feed contamination. Disease risk. Productivity disruptions that hit you where it hurts: the bottom line.
In 2025, approximately 53.6 million commercial poultry were lost to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States alone, with significant outbreaks reported across multiple states. That's not a theoretical problem. That's culled flocks, shutdown operations, and livelihoods hanging in the balance.
And yet, when you mention bird control, you sometimes get pushback. "Isn't that cruel?" "Shouldn't wildlife have space too?" We've heard it. We get it. These are fair questions that deserve honest answers.
The Reality on the Ground
Let's talk about what's actually happening out there.
Wild birds—especially waterfowl migrating along established flyways—carry avian influenza without showing symptoms. When they land near your feed storage, water sources, or ventilation intakes, they leave contamination behind.
The numbers tell the story. Across the Atlantic, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reports more than 2,400 HPAI outbreaks in wild birds during the 2025 autumn migration—the highest seasonal level seen in recent years. This isn't isolated to one region. It's a global pattern that follows migratory routes straight through agricultural areas.
For poultry operations, the result isn't subtle. One infected bird can trigger a depopulation order that wipes out an entire barn. For dairy, it's not much better—infected herds see milk yields drop, cattle die, and recovery takes months, if it happens at all.
This isn't about being anti-wildlife. It's about managing a real and present risk that threatens food production, rural jobs, and the stability of entire supply chains.
The Question We Keep Hearing
So here's where it gets uncomfortable.
Some people look at bird deterrence and see it as unfair. They say humans have expanded into wildlife habitats, and now we're just trying to push them out further.
We understand that perspective. It comes from a genuine place—people care about animals, and that's not a bad thing.
But here's the thing: the question isn't whether birds and farms will coexist. They already do. The question is how to do it in a way that doesn't destroy one or the other.
Wild birds aren't going away. Human agriculture isn't pausing. The only real option is finding a way to reduce conflict without forcing impossible choices.
What "Responsible Coexistence" Actually Means
When we talk about coexistence, we're not talking about feel-good slogans. We mean practical, measurable actions that protect farms while minimizing harm to wildlife.
Here's what that looks like:
Use what you have wisely.
Every pound of feed matters. When wild birds consume or contaminate feed meant for livestock, that's waste—waste that affects margins, drives up costs, and contributes to broader food system inefficiencies.
Protect what you produce.
Farms aren't just businesses. They're part of a food system that millions of people rely on. Prevention at the farm level reduces the burden on everyone—producers, taxpayers, and consumers.
Minimize harm wherever possible.
Solutions should protect farms without inflicting unnecessary suffering on wildlife. That's not idealism—it's just common sense.
Why Technology Changes the Conversation
This is where things get interesting.
For decades, bird control meant a limited set of tools: poisons, traps, shooting, loud noises, physical barriers. Most of these methods were either lethal, inconsistent, or easily defeated by habituation.
AI-based deterrence introduces a different approach entirely.
Instead of eliminating birds, the goal is behavioral guidance—making high-risk areas less attractive so birds choose to go elsewhere. No contact. No harm. Just consistent, adaptive deterrence that responds to real-time activity.
Here's how it works:
Detection
Computer vision identifies wild birds approaching sensitive zones—feed storage, barns, water sources. The system knows the difference between a wild sparrow and your laying hens.
Response
When a threat is detected, the system deploys a non-contact deterrent (like a laser) that encourages the bird to leave. Patterns vary to prevent habituation, so birds don't just get used to it and ignore it.
Safety
The system automatically shuts down if it detects people, vehicles, or livestock. Safety isn't an afterthought—it's built into the core design.
Data
Every interaction gets logged. You can see bird activity patterns, peak intrusion times, and system performance over time. Biosecurity stops being a guess and starts being measurable.
This isn't about force. It's about making informed, humane decisions backed by real data.
The Farm Manager's View
Let's be honest: most farm managers aren't thinking about philosophy when they wake up at 5 a.m. They're thinking about operations.
Feed costs are climbing. Margins are tight. One disease outbreak could end the year in the red—or worse.
From that perspective, bird control isn't about being anti-wildlife. It's about risk management.
- Feed losses affect profitability.
- Biosecurity breaches affect animal health.
- Disease outbreaks affect entire supply chains.
When you frame it that way, humane bird control isn't about choosing between animals and agriculture. It's about reducing preventable risks while maintaining respect for the ecosystem.
Where We Stand
At iCHASE, we don't pretend to have all the answers.
Agriculture, biosecurity, and wildlife conservation are complex, interconnected challenges. There are no perfect solutions—just better ones.
What we do believe:
- Technology should help farmers work more safely and responsibly.
- Wild birds remain part of the ecosystem and deserve humane treatment.
- Farms remain essential to the food system and deserve effective tools.
- Data and transparency make better decisions possible.
By using intelligent deterrence systems, it becomes possible to reduce conflict between agriculture and wildlife—and move toward a more balanced, sustainable coexistence.
Not perfect. Not without trade-offs. But better than the alternatives.
Want to Learn More?
If you're interested in exploring how AI-based bird deterrence works in real farm environments—or if you just want to talk through your specific situation—we're here.
No hard sell. No pressure. Just honest conversation about what's possible.
📧 Contact us: hello@ichase.io
🌐 Learn more: www.ichase.io
Sources:
- USDA/APHIS data via WATT Global Media: How HPAI bird losses in 2025 varied by state
- EFSA: Avian influenza: new outbreaks expected in Europe until winter ends