California’s first confirmed bird flu outbreak of the 2025-26 winter season has been detected early at Reichardt Duck Farm between Petaluma and Two Rock.
The facility confirmed positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu after noticing increased mortality last week. The timing is concerning; two years ago, when the virus ravaged Sonoma County poultry farms, the first case didn’t arrive until around Thanksgiving.
The Press Democrat says owner Phil Reichardt confirmed that his farm staff has begun the grim task of euthanizing all 57,000 birds in the flock. He expects the process to be complete quickly, a stark contrast to two years ago when there was a delay. Experts say the industry is now highly prepared to contain the virus, which is spread by migrating waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway.
The farm, which was the first of multiple local facilities hit in the 2023-24 season, now faces a four-month wait before reintroducing new birds.
Reichardt expressed appreciation for the USDA’s compensation program but hopes to discuss their policy of mandatory complete flock destruction even when only a few birds are confirmed sick.