Basic Biosecurity Measures for Poultry Farms

Basic Biosecurity Measures for Poultry Farms

With the recent cases of AI (Avian Influenza) being found in migratory birds in SC & NC, a little review of Basic Biosecurity Measures will help us all remember why it so important and should to be followed during this time. 

These are the basic Biosecurity Measures that poultry growers across the US have been urged to practice since the last Avian Influenza outbreak in 2016 and before.

• Keep Visitors to a Minimum - Human transport of microorganisms is one of the more serious threats to biosecurity. Therefore, Restrict All Visitors! Provide protective clothing to those that must enter. 

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• Limit Visitations to Other Poultry Farms - Do not visit other poultry farms. If it is necessary, shower and change clothes before returning to your farm.
• Don’t share equipment with other farms - If you do need to share equipment with other farms, ensure the equipment is cleaned before entering your farm and re-cleaned before leaving your farm. 
• Practice Sound Rodent and Pest Control Programs - Rats, mice and insects such as flies and darkling beetles can carry and spread microorganisms. Growers should consult with their poultry company and practice effective rodent control programs. Reduce pathogen loads and darkling beetles in the litter by Windrowing the litter between flocks. Windrowing the litter breaks up and dries out the hardpan where darkling beetles lay their eggs. This disrupts their gestation period and aids in reducing the overall population. The heat created in the windrows will also drive the darkling beetles to the top for easy extermination. ​

• Avoid Contact with Non-Commercial Poultry or Wild Birds 
• Inspect Flock Daily - Contract growers are already required to inspect their flocks daily. Mortality should be picked up daily and disposed of in a timely and approved method. Stock-piling mortality and allowing carcassas to decompose before disposal increases the risk of spreading disease via rodents and insects. Growers should report increases in mortality or signs of health problems to their service representative immediately. Timely reporting of health issues on a farm will not only help restrict additional infections, but will minimize losses to both the grower and company. 
• Maximize the Environment - Maintaining litter in a relatively dry condition (20-30% moisture) and providing good ventilation will help control microorganism numbers. Wet conditions combined with warm in-house temperatures provides the perfect environment for disease causing organisms to grow. Reduce the moisture in the litter and hardpan by Windrowing the litter between flocks. Good ventilation also helps reduce microorganisms as fresh air entering and leaving the house dilutes microbe populations and removes them from the house. Poor ventilation can result in irritation of the respiratory tract of birds making them more susceptible to bacteria and viral infections. Clean fans, feed lines and other equipment between flocks to remove dust and microorganisms left from the previous flock.  

• Keep Areas Around Houses and Feed Bins Clean - Spilled feed should be cleaned up regularly and not allowed to collect for long periods of time. Spilled feed will attract birds, rats and insects. Keeping the grass and weeds cut around poultry houses and removing trash will aid in keeping rodent and insect population under control. 

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Contract poultry growers should be familiar with the specifics of their company’s biosecurity protocols and work closely with company representatives to implement those programs. Before implementing any biosecurity programs, contract producers should check with poultry company personnel to be sure the measures taken are consistent and compatible with their company’s policies.