Chapter 16 - Biosecurity Plan

Poultry producers operate within a complex global food system and are the first line of defense in our food security system. Biosecurity refers to procedures used to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms in poultry flocks.

The benefits of biosecurity include:

• Helps keep out diseases
• Reduces the risks
• Limits the spread of disease
• Improves overall health of the flock
• Reduces mortality losses
• Improves profitability

Developing and practicing daily biosecurity procedures as best management practices on poultry farms will reduce the possibility of introducing infectious diseases. 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 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.

In developing a biosecurity plan, consider the five W’s

• Who is on your farm?
• What is brought on to your farm?
• When are they there?
• Where have they been?
• Why are they there?

Remember: “Doing the little things now may prevent the need to do major things later.”

Keep visitors to a minimum

Human transportation of disease-causing organisms is one of the more serious threats to biosecurity.

• Growers should restrict visitors and make sure that any visitor to their farm has a good reason to be there. Lock buildings. Do not be afraid to ask any visitors where they have been. They should not have been on a poultry farm within 48 hours before visiting yours.
• Growers should provide protective covering such as boots, coveralls, and headgear to any visitors that work with, or have had recent contact with poultry. This would include friends, neighbors, relatives, equipment and utility service personnel.
• Visitors should never enter poultry houses unless approved by the grower or company personnel.
• Traffic through poultry houses should always flow from younger to older birds.
• Keep records of visitors that have been on the farm. If a problem arises, knowing who was there will help in limiting additional flock infections.
• Post signs at the entrance to the farm indicating that entry to the farm and facilities are restricted.

Limit your visit to other poultry farms

Poultry growers should refrain from visiting other poultry operations unless absolutely necessary. When ever it is necessary to visit another farm, growers should be sure to exercise additional precautions such as showering and changing clothes before arriving and washing any vehicle before entering a farm. It will be very important for growers to wear protective clothing including boots, coveralls and headgear and to clean and disinfect all clothing and equipment before returning to their facilities. Showering and changing into clean clothes will also be necessary. If your vehicle is used when visiting another poultry operation make sure it is cleaned and disinfected before and after the visit.

In addition to precautions before and after visiting other poultry farms, take care when:

• Hunting, especially if you will be around waterfowl
• Zoos
• Pet birds
• Parks where there are wild birds, especially waterfowl
• Flea markets

Keep all animals out of poultry houses

Animals can be carriers of poultry disease-causing organisms. Growers should not allow pets such as dogs, cats or other animals in their houses. Some growers will allow their dogs to walk the houses with them, but this is risky because the dogs may have been exposed to other animals or birds that have been contaminated with disease organisms. Poultry houses should be kept as closed as possible to prevent wild birds from getting inside. Wild birds utilizing the feeders and defecating in the houses can be a source of disease.

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 and insect control programs. Eliminating or reducing as many of these pests as possible will reduce the risk of contracting or spreading a disease. See Chapter 13 for more information on pest control.

Keep areas around houses and feed bins clean

Keeping grass and weeds cut around poultry houses and removing used equipment or trash is beneficial in keeping rodent and insect populations under control. Thick grass or weeds and old equipment provide refuge and habitat for rats, mice and insect pests that can spread disease. Spilled feed should be cleaned up regularly and not allowed to collect for long periods of time. Spilled feed around the feed bins will attract birds, rats, mice and insects.