The highly contagious bird flu has hit Montgomery County, Maryland, where officials say a backyard flock of chickens tested positive for the virus, making it the first case of a homeowner’s birds having the virus in Maryland this year and bringing the number of cases in the D.

Interest in raising backyard chickens grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues due to the ever-increasing cost of store-bought eggs.

Here are ways to help our feathered friends during bird flu season, and help slow spread of salmonella at feeders, bird baths and poultry enclosures.