With Christmas around the corner, farmers John and Fiona Curran from Fordstown, Co Meath are observing their flock of free-range bronze turkeys.
Due to a virulent strain of avian flu in circulation, it is a worrying time for the couple.
"Normally bird flu would not be a major concern," John told RTÉ News. "But at the moment, it seems to be on the rise with migrating birds coming in from Europe."
Under a regulation issued by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, all flock owners will be obliged to house their birds from Monday. They must be housed in buildings that will keep other wild birds and animals out.
It comes after the latest case of bird flu was confirmed yesterday in a dead swan in Co Cavan.
The order is designed to minimise the risk of viral spread from wild birds.
The Currans have accepted that this will have to be the case.
"We are six weeks out from slaughter for the Christmas trade for turkeys ... and the last thing you want at this stage is bird flu in your flock," said John.
"We have an organic system and birds are let out in the daytime and in at evening time. We check them three to four times a day.
"You're looking for any bird that may be off colour, a bit slow and dull in himself.
"From next Monday the regulations have changed and we are going to have to keep them indoors for the remainder of the period."
Even though the turkeys will spend their final few weeks indoors, they will still keep the free range label, as they have been reared in the free range system since September when they came on the farm.
For the Currans, housing will add some costs to fattening the turkeys for Christmas but the avoidance of avian flu is vital to ensure the birds can be sent to market for sale.
An early warning system watching for signs of disease in wild birds is in place with Birdwatch Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Association of Regional Game Councils.
IFA National Poultry chairman Nigel Sweetman appealed to all poultry families to exercise "high vigilance".
