Exploring the responses of smallscale poultry keepers to avian influenza regulations and guidance in the United Kingdom, with recommendations for improved biosecurity messaging

Understanding how smallscale (‘backyard’) poultry keepers interpret and respond to governmental directives designed to reduce the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is of paramount importance in preparing for future HPAI outbreaks. Qualitative insights from open questions in an online survey conducted during the 2021–22 HPAI season (1,559 responses) shed light on smallscale poultry keepers' understanding of, and responses to, governmental directives to control HPAI exposure and onwards transmission. A follow-up participatory workshop (21 participants) explored the HPAI-related information sources used by smallscale poultry keepers, their trust in these sources, perceptions of HPAI-related risk, and interpretation of, opinions on and adherence to government regulations and communications regarding biosecurity and housing measures. This paper draws on a multi-scale behaviour change model to explore barriers to compliance with HPAI-related regulations. Insights from behaviour settings theory reveal how poultry-keeping settings and routines might be ‘disrupted’ and ‘re-configured’ to improve long-term biosecurity and reduce the risk of HPAI exposure. The findings highlight the need for HPAI-related guidance that is tailored to smallscale poultry keepers. This guidance should include clear action points and simple, practical, affordable and sustainable suggestions for improving compliance with biosecurity measures. •Smallscale poultry keepers' responses to avian influenza regulations are explored•IBM-WASH and settings theory are applied to poultry keeping for the first time•These approaches identified barriers and potential enablers to improving biosecurity•Smallscale poultry keepers need tailored guidance on avian influenza prevention