• Do wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live poultry, or anything in the area where they live and roam.

• Do clean any equipment or materials associated with raising and caring for live poultry such as cages, and feed and water containers.

• Don’t let children under the age of 5, elderly persons, or people with weak immune systems handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry.

• Don’t let live poultry inside the house, bathrooms, or areas where food and drink are prepared, served, or stored (such as kitchens or outdoor patios).

• Don’t snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat and drink around live poultry.

Be cautious of who and what has access to your �ock. Consider fencing o� the area where you keep your birds and limit contact with them. Allowing visitor access, speci�cally those with their own birds, may bring germs and diseases that can harm your �ock.

1. Keep your Distance

Keep your �ock’s area clean by washing their cages and changing their food and water daily. Disinfect all equipment that comes into contact with your birds and their droppings. Wear clean clothes, scrub yourshoes with disinfectant, and wash your hands.

2. Keep it Clean

If you have been near other birds or bird owners (such as at a feed store), clean and disinfect car tires, poultry cages and equipment before going home. Birds that have been to fairs or exhibitions should be separated from the rest of your �ock for at least 2 weeks. New birds should be separated for at least 30 days.

3. Don’t Haul Diseases Home

Do not share lawn and garden equipment, tools or poultry supplies with your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do bring these items home, clean and disinfect before using them again on your property.

4. Don’t Borrow Diseases Either

Sudden increase in bird deaths in your �ock • Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, & nasal discharge • Water and green diarrhea • Lack of energy • Drop in egg production, soft or thin shelled, or misshapen eggs • Swelling around the eyes, neck, and head • Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, & legs • Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of the head and neck, or lack of movement

5. Know the Warning Signs

If your birds are sick or dying, call your local State Veterinarian’s o�ce. To learn more about reporting sick birds, go to APHIS.USDA.gov, CDC.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

6. Report Sick Birds