Chapter 16 - Introduction

The grower will be the first to see signs of illness that may be a serious infectious disease in the flock. If an infectious disease were to break through the farm’s biosecurity protocols, then that farm becomes a serious risk to the rest of the industry. It is the early recognition of that first case that will be critical in containing and eliminating the disease quickly.

Flock mortality records will alert the producer of a potential problem, which should trigger the appropriate responses, the first of which will be to find the cause of the problem. The grower should not try to diagnose the condition but instead should consult with his or her service person. Once the diagnosis has been made, a response strategy will be designed in consultation with the company’s veterinarian. This response may be as simple as a management adjustment or administration of a treatment. If a foreign animal disease is discovered (such as Avian Influenza or Exotic Newcastle Disease), then the appropriate response will occur in accordance with various emergency response plans that will be followed by the industry.

Dead broilers may be a high-risk source of infectious disease and must therefore be handled and disposed of through appropriate methods on the premise where they died or at a central facility with appropriate permits (see Chapter 17.)