bird biosecurity

Bird Bird BiosecurityBiosecurity

Bird Bird BiosecurityBiosecurity

You must prevent germs from being You must prevent germs from being transported to your birds by transported to your birds by contaminated hands, feet, contaminated hands, feet, equipment or other birds.equipment or other birds.

Here are some basic rules for Here are some basic rules for practicing backyard biosecurity. practicing backyard biosecurity. Doing these things will greatly Doing these things will greatly decrease the risk of carrying decrease the risk of carrying

disease to your birds.disease to your birds.

What is Backyard What is Backyard Biosecurity?Biosecurity?Priority 1: Keep your birds healthy. Your property Priority 1: Keep your birds healthy. Your property

needs to be a “safe” area and biosecurity practices needs to be a “safe” area and biosecurity practices are the barriers you can use to keep disease out!are the barriers you can use to keep disease out!

Biosecurity means doing everything you can to Biosecurity means doing everything you can to protect your birds from disease. Birds exposed to protect your birds from disease. Birds exposed to even a few bacteria, viruses or parasites my become even a few bacteria, viruses or parasites my become sick and die even in just a single day.sick and die even in just a single day.

Biosecurity is informed common sense. Don’t bring Biosecurity is informed common sense. Don’t bring germs to your birds and don’t bring your birds to germs to your birds and don’t bring your birds to germs. Germs are persistent, invisible killers that germs. Germs are persistent, invisible killers that survive in soil, droppings, and debris. survive in soil, droppings, and debris.

Biosecurity practices don’t have to be cumbersome Biosecurity practices don’t have to be cumbersome or expensive. A small tub, a gallon of bleach or or expensive. A small tub, a gallon of bleach or disinfectant, and a brush will go a long way toward disinfectant, and a brush will go a long way toward protecting your birds from “outside” diseases. protecting your birds from “outside” diseases.

Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry

DiseaseDisease 1. Keep Your Distance1. Keep Your Distance

Restrict access to your property and Restrict access to your property and birds. Fence off the area where your birds. Fence off the area where your birds are forming a barrier between birds are forming a barrier between “clean” and “dirty” areas. The clean “clean” and “dirty” areas. The clean area is the immediate area surrounding area is the immediate area surrounding your birds, and the dirty or buffer area your birds, and the dirty or buffer area must be considered to be infected with must be considered to be infected with germs, even if the birds appear healthy germs, even if the birds appear healthy and disease free.and disease free.


DiseaseDisease 1. Keep Your Distance1. Keep Your Distance

Allow only people who take care of your birds to Allow only people who take care of your birds to come into contact with them. Caretakers should come into contact with them. Caretakers should not attend bird shows or other events where not attend bird shows or other events where birds are present. If visitors to your property birds are present. If visitors to your property want to see your birds, be sure they first wash want to see your birds, be sure they first wash and clean their shoes, or keep clean boots for and clean their shoes, or keep clean boots for visitors to wear. If your visitors have birds of visitors to wear. If your visitors have birds of their own, their own, do notdo not let them near your birds at let them near your birds at all.all.

Game birds and migratory waterfowl should not Game birds and migratory waterfowl should not have contact with your flock because they can have contact with your flock because they can carry germs and diseases. If your birds are carry germs and diseases. If your birds are outdoors, try to keep them in a screened outdoors, try to keep them in a screened area.area.


DiseaseDisease 2. Keep It Clean2. Keep It Clean

Don’t track dirt and disease into your poultry Don’t track dirt and disease into your poultry area. Germs can be picked up on shoes and area. Germs can be picked up on shoes and clothing and moved from one area to clothing and moved from one area to another. Keep a pair of shoes and a set of another. Keep a pair of shoes and a set of clothes to wear only around your birds near clothes to wear only around your birds near the entrance to their bird area. Clean and the entrance to their bird area. Clean and disinfect your shoes and launder your clothes disinfect your shoes and launder your clothes before you check on or work with your birds.before you check on or work with your birds.

Scrubbing your shoes with a long-handled Scrubbing your shoes with a long-handled scrub brush and disinfectant will remove scrub brush and disinfectant will remove droppings, mud, or debris. Wash clothes with droppings, mud, or debris. Wash clothes with laundry detergent in a washing machine.laundry detergent in a washing machine.


DiseaseDisease 2. Keep It Clean2. Keep It Clean

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, water, and a disinfectant before entering your water, and a disinfectant before entering your bird area.bird area.

Keep cages, food, and water clean on a daily Keep cages, food, and water clean on a daily basis, including tools such as feed scoops, basis, including tools such as feed scoops, shovels, rakes and brooms. Clean with soap shovels, rakes and brooms. Clean with soap and water to remove droppings and other and water to remove droppings and other debris first. Then disinfect equipment. debris first. Then disinfect equipment.

Properly dispose of dead birds by burial or Properly dispose of dead birds by burial or incineration or take them to a landfill.incineration or take them to a landfill.


DiseaseDisease 3. Don’t Haul Disease Home3. Don’t Haul Disease Home Car and truck tires, poultry cages, and equipment Car and truck tires, poultry cages, and equipment

can all harbor “germs.” If you travel to a location can all harbor “germs.” If you travel to a location where other birds are present, or even to the feed where other birds are present, or even to the feed store, be sure to clean and disinfect these items store, be sure to clean and disinfect these items before you return to your property.before you return to your property.

Taking some of your birds to a fair or exhibition? Taking some of your birds to a fair or exhibition? Keep those birds separated from the rest of your Keep those birds separated from the rest of your flock and watch them for at least 2 weeks after the flock and watch them for at least 2 weeks after the event to ensure that they didn’t pick up a disease.event to ensure that they didn’t pick up a disease.

New birds should be kept separate from your flock New birds should be kept separate from your flock for at least 30 days before putting them with the rest for at least 30 days before putting them with the rest of your birds. To prevent disease, it is best not to mix of your birds. To prevent disease, it is best not to mix young and old birds or birds from different speciesyoung and old birds or birds from different speciesor different sources.or different sources.


DiseaseDisease 4. Don’t Borrow Disease From Your 4. Don’t Borrow Disease From Your

NeighborNeighbor Do not share birds, lawn and garden Do not share birds, lawn and garden

equipment, tools, or poultry supplies with equipment, tools, or poultry supplies with your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do bring these items home, clean and disinfect bring these items home, clean and disinfect them them beforebefore they reach your property. And they reach your property. And remember to clean and disinfect borrowed remember to clean and disinfect borrowed items before returning them. Never share items before returning them. Never share items such as wooden pallets or cardboard items such as wooden pallets or cardboard egg cartons because they are porous and egg cartons because they are porous and cannot be adequately cleaned and cannot be adequately cleaned and disinfected.disinfected.


DiseaseDisease 5. Know the Warning Signs of Infectious 5. Know the Warning Signs of Infectious

Bird Bird DiseasesDiseases Many bird diseases can be difficult to diagnose. The Many bird diseases can be difficult to diagnose. The

list below includes some of the things to look for that list below includes some of the things to look for that signal something might be wrong with your birds. signal something might be wrong with your birds. Early detection of signs is very important to prevent Early detection of signs is very important to prevent the spread of disease.the spread of disease.

Sudden death Sudden death Diarrhea Diarrhea Decreased or complete loss of egg production; soft-Decreased or complete loss of egg production; soft-

shelled, misshapen eggs shelled, misshapen eggs Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing Lack of energy and appetite Lack of energy and appetite Swelling of tissues around eyes and in neck Swelling of tissues around eyes and in neck Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of

head and neck, incoordination, complete paralysishead and neck, incoordination, complete paralysis


DiseaseDisease 6. Report Sick Birds6. Report Sick Birds Do not wait to report unusual signs of disease or Do not wait to report unusual signs of disease or

unexpected deaths among your birds. Call your unexpected deaths among your birds. Call your agricultural extension agent, local veterinarian, the agricultural extension agent, local veterinarian, the State Veterinarian, or U.S. Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian, or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services office. USDA operates a (USDA) Veterinary Services office. USDA operates a toll-free hotline (1–866–536–7593) with veterinarians toll-free hotline (1–866–536–7593) with veterinarians to help you. USDA wants to test sick birds to make to help you. USDA wants to test sick birds to make sure they do not have a serious poultry disease. sure they do not have a serious poultry disease. There is no charge for USDA veterinarians to work There is no charge for USDA veterinarians to work with you to conduct a disease investigation. Early with you to conduct a disease investigation. Early reporting is important to protecting the health of reporting is important to protecting the health of your birds!your birds!


DiseaseDisease DisinfectantsDisinfectants Cleaning and disinfecting is one of the most important steps Cleaning and disinfecting is one of the most important steps

you can take in practicing backyard biosecurity. Below are you can take in practicing backyard biosecurity. Below are some examples of disinfectants available on the market. some examples of disinfectants available on the market. Thoroughly clean and scrub objects before applying Thoroughly clean and scrub objects before applying disinfectants. Disinfectants cannot work on top of caked-on dirt disinfectants. Disinfectants cannot work on top of caked-on dirt and manure, so thoroughly wash surfaces before disinfecting.and manure, so thoroughly wash surfaces before disinfecting.

Apply disinfectants using brushes, sponges and spray units. Apply disinfectants using brushes, sponges and spray units. Allow adequate contact time (follow manufacturer’s Allow adequate contact time (follow manufacturer’s instructions.)instructions.)

Dispose of used disinfectant according to local regulations.Dispose of used disinfectant according to local regulations.Examples of DisinfectantsExamples of Disinfectants Roccal ®: Mix _ fluid oz of Roccal per gallon of water. Roccal ®: Mix _ fluid oz of Roccal per gallon of water. Nolvasan® (chlorhexidine diacetate 2 percent): Mix 3 fluid oz of Nolvasan® (chlorhexidine diacetate 2 percent): Mix 3 fluid oz of

Nolvasan per gallon of water. Nolvasan per gallon of water. Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6 percent): Mix _ cup of Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6 percent): Mix _ cup of

household bleach per gallon of water. household bleach per gallon of water. Lysol ® spray for footwear Lysol ® spray for footwear Purell® hand pump for hand disinfection Purell® hand pump for hand disinfection

Why Be Concerned?Why Be Concerned? An outbreak of a bird disease such as An outbreak of a bird disease such as

exotic Newcastle disease or highly exotic Newcastle disease or highly pathogenic avian influenza could not only pathogenic avian influenza could not only harm or kill your birds, it could spread harm or kill your birds, it could spread quickly and kill other nearby birds.quickly and kill other nearby birds.

Early detection and reporting is the most Early detection and reporting is the most important step in eradicating a disease important step in eradicating a disease outbreak. Don’t be afraid of “crying wolf.” outbreak. Don’t be afraid of “crying wolf.” State and Federal veterinarians want to State and Federal veterinarians want to hear about sick and dying birds.hear about sick and dying birds.

You are the best protection your birds You are the best protection your birds have!have!

Exotic Newcastle Disease (END)Exotic Newcastle Disease (END)

What is END?What is END? END is a contagious and fatal viral END is a contagious and fatal viral

disease affecting all species of birds. disease affecting all species of birds. END is probably one of the most END is probably one of the most infectious diseases of poultry in the infectious diseases of poultry in the world. END is so deadly that many birds world. END is so deadly that many birds die without showing any signs of die without showing any signs of disease. A death rate of almost 100 disease. A death rate of almost 100 percent can occur in unvaccinated percent can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. Exotic Newcastle can poultry flocks. Exotic Newcastle can infect and cause death even in infect and cause death even in vaccinated birds. vaccinated birds.

What are the signs?What are the signs?

END affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive END affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. The incubation period for the disease systems. The incubation period for the disease ranges from 2 to 15 days. An infected bird may show ranges from 2 to 15 days. An infected bird may show the following signs:the following signs:

Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing; Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing; Greenish, watery diarrhea; Greenish, watery diarrhea; Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings,

twisting of head and neck, circling, complete twisting of head and neck, circling, complete paralysis; paralysis;

Partial to complete drop in egg production; Partial to complete drop in egg production; Production of thin-shelled eggs; Production of thin-shelled eggs; Swelling of the tissues around the eyes and in the Swelling of the tissues around the eyes and in the

neck; neck; Sudden death; Sudden death; Increased death loss in a flock Increased death loss in a flock

How Does It Spread?How Does It Spread?END is spread mainly through direct contact END is spread mainly through direct contact between healthy birds and the bodily discharges between healthy birds and the bodily discharges of infected birds. The disease is transmitted of infected birds. The disease is transmitted through infected birds' droppings and secretions through infected birds' droppings and secretions from the nose, mouth, and eyes. from the nose, mouth, and eyes.

High concentrations of the END virus are in birds' High concentrations of the END virus are in birds' bodily discharges. Therefore, the disease can be bodily discharges. Therefore, the disease can be spread easily by mechanical means. The virus spread easily by mechanical means. The virus can be picked up on shoes and clothing and can be picked up on shoes and clothing and carried from an infected flock to a healthy one. carried from an infected flock to a healthy one. The disease is often spread by vaccination and The disease is often spread by vaccination and debeaking crews, manure haulers, rendering debeaking crews, manure haulers, rendering truck drivers, feed delivery personnel, poultry truck drivers, feed delivery personnel, poultry buyers, egg service people, buyers, egg service people, and poultry farm owners and employees.and poultry farm owners and employees.

How Does It Spread?How Does It Spread?The END virus can survive for several weeks in a The END virus can survive for several weeks in a warm and humid environment on birds' feathers, warm and humid environment on birds' feathers, manure, and other materials. It can survive manure, and other materials. It can survive indefinitely in frozen material. The virus is indefinitely in frozen material. The virus is destroyed rapidly by dehydration and by the destroyed rapidly by dehydration and by the ultraviolet rays in sunlight.ultraviolet rays in sunlight.

Smuggled pet birds, especially Amazon parrots Smuggled pet birds, especially Amazon parrots from Latin America, pose a great risk of from Latin America, pose a great risk of introducing Exotic Newcastle into U.S. poultry introducing Exotic Newcastle into U.S. poultry flocks. Amazon parrots that are carriers of the flocks. Amazon parrots that are carriers of the disease but do not show symptoms are capable disease but do not show symptoms are capable of shedding END virus for more than 400 days.of shedding END virus for more than 400 days.

What can you do to prevent What can you do to prevent END?END?Since END is spread by un-sanitary methods by Since END is spread by un-sanitary methods by

making biosecurity a part of your daily routine, making biosecurity a part of your daily routine, you can decrease the chance of END showing up you can decrease the chance of END showing up in your birds.in your birds.Call your veterinarian or local extension agent to Call your veterinarian or local extension agent to examine all of your sick birds or birds that die examine all of your sick birds or birds that die suddenly, especially if you have been around suddenly, especially if you have been around other people’s birds or brought new birds home.other people’s birds or brought new birds home.END is also a threat to pet birds. Birds that are END is also a threat to pet birds. Birds that are illegally brought into the United States may illegally brought into the United States may spread the END virus because they are not spread the END virus because they are not quarantined and tested by the U.S. Department quarantined and tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). of Agriculture (USDA).

END END Preventions:Preventions:Ask bird suppliers for copies of paperwork that Ask bird suppliers for copies of paperwork that proves their birds are imported into the United States proves their birds are imported into the United States legally or are from U.S. stock, were healthy before legally or are from U.S. stock, were healthy before being shipped, and were transported in new or being shipped, and were transported in new or thoroughly disinfected containers. thoroughly disinfected containers.

Keep records of all sales, shipments, and movements Keep records of all sales, shipments, and movements of birds. of birds.

Separate all newly purchased birds from older ones Separate all newly purchased birds from older ones for at least 30 days. Examine the new bird, checking for at least 30 days. Examine the new bird, checking it for any sign of disease or illness before introducing it for any sign of disease or illness before introducing it into your flock. it into your flock.

Avian Influenza (AI)Avian Influenza (AI)

Worldwide, there are many strains of avian Worldwide, there are many strains of avian influenza (AI) virus that can cause varying influenza (AI) virus that can cause varying amounts of clinical illness in poultry. AI amounts of clinical illness in poultry. AI viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl, as well as a wide variety of other birds. fowl, as well as a wide variety of other birds. Migratory waterfowl have proved to be a Migratory waterfowl have proved to be a natural reservoir for the less infectious strains natural reservoir for the less infectious strains of the disease known as low pathogenicity of the disease known as low pathogenicity avian influenza.avian influenza.

Avian Influenza (AI)Avian Influenza (AI) AI viruses can be classified into low AI viruses can be classified into low pathogenicity (LPAI) and high pathogenicity pathogenicity (LPAI) and high pathogenicity (HPAI) based on the severity of the illness they (HPAI) based on the severity of the illness they cause. HIGH is an extremely infectious and fatal cause. HIGH is an extremely infectious and fatal form of the disease that, once established, can form of the disease that, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to flock. However, spread rapidly from flock to flock. However, some LPAI virus strains are capable of mutating some LPAI virus strains are capable of mutating under field conditions into HPAI viruses.under field conditions into HPAI viruses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to keep HPAI from becoming (APHIS) works to keep HPAI from becoming established in the U.S. poultry population.established in the U.S. poultry population.

What are the signs?What are the signs? The clinical signs of birds affected with all forms of AI The clinical signs of birds affected with all forms of AI

may show one or more of the following:may show one or more of the following: Sudden death without clinical signs Sudden death without clinical signs Lack of energy and appetite Lack of energy and appetite Decreased egg production Decreased egg production Soft–shelled or misshapen eggs Soft–shelled or misshapen eggs Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs Nasal discharge Nasal discharge Coughing, sneezing Coughing, sneezing Lack of coordination Lack of coordination Diarrhea Diarrhea

How is AI Spread?How is AI Spread? Exposure of poultry to migratory waterfowl and the Exposure of poultry to migratory waterfowl and the

international movement of poultry, poultry international movement of poultry, poultry equipment, and people pose risks for introducing AI. equipment, and people pose risks for introducing AI.

Once introduced, the disease can be spread from Once introduced, the disease can be spread from bird to bird by direct contact. AI viruses can also be bird to bird by direct contact. AI viruses can also be spread by manure, equipment, vehicles, egg flats, spread by manure, equipment, vehicles, egg flats, crates, and people whose clothing or shoes have crates, and people whose clothing or shoes have come in contact with the virus. AI viruses can remain come in contact with the virus. AI viruses can remain viable at moderate temperatures for long periods in viable at moderate temperatures for long periods in the environment and can survive indefinitely in the environment and can survive indefinitely in frozen material. One gram of contaminated manure frozen material. One gram of contaminated manure can contain enough virus to infect one million birds. can contain enough virus to infect one million birds.

What can you do to prevent What can you do to prevent AI?AI?

Materials that carry the AI virus can be picked Materials that carry the AI virus can be picked up on shoes and clothing and moved from an up on shoes and clothing and moved from an area with sick birds to an area with healthy area with sick birds to an area with healthy ones. Moving birds from one place to another ones. Moving birds from one place to another can also spread diseases, especially because can also spread diseases, especially because some birds can carry disease without looking some birds can carry disease without looking sick. By making biosecurity a part of your sick. By making biosecurity a part of your daily routine while caring for your birds, you daily routine while caring for your birds, you decrease the chance of AI showing up in your decrease the chance of AI showing up in your birds.birds.

Import RestrictionsImport Restrictions

Remember . . . .Remember . . . .

REPORT SICK BIRDS!!!!REPORT SICK BIRDS!!!!1-866-536-75931-866-536-7593

(toll free)(toll free)

bird biosecurity

Education

birds healthy

game birds

dead birds

biosecurity tips

poultry disease

clean area

poultry area

bird area