BIOSECURITY FOR POULTRY DR. AUDREY MCELROY PROFESSOR AND EXTENSION SPECIALIST DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY SCIENCE 1
Dec 23, 2015
BIOSECURITY FOR POULTRYDR. AUDREY MCELROY
PROFESSOR AND EXTENSION SPECIALIST
DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY SCIENCE
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DISEASE PREVENTION
There are basically 2 types of diseases that must be considered in poultry production:
•diseases of detriment to bird health
•diseases of potential human health concerns
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CAUSES OF HEALTH ISSUES
• Pathogens
• bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoa, fungi
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Chemical poisons
• Overmedication
• Poor management
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BIOSECURITY
What is “Biosecurity”?• Protecting your birds from disease
• Preventing or controlling disease transmission by vectors
What is a vector?• Something that may transmit a disease
• Rodents, birds, insects, shoes, car tires, shared equipment, best friend, pet, feed, water, dust, air….
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BIOSECURITY
• Preventative strategies to control disease causing organisms and their carriers (vectors).
• Protection of poultry flocks from any type of infectious agent.
• Control transmission of disease from flock to flock.
Biosecurity is the cheapest, most effective
means of disease control available.5
Everyone!
•Commercial producers
•Small flock/backyard poultry owners
•Hobbyists/breeders
•Youth poultry project owners for livestock shows (4-H and FFA members)
WHO SHOULD PRACTICE GOOD BIOSECURITY?
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Because of what might happen:
•Disease and high mortality in flocks
• Infected flocks euthanized
•Loss of income for producers
•Higher prices of poultry meat and eggs•Quarantines and restricted movement/sale of birds
•Cancellation of poultry shows
WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT BIOSECURITY?
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MAJOR COMPONENTS OF BIOSECURITY
• Flock Management• Isolation
• Traffic Control • Cleaning/ Sanitation
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BIOSECURITY MONITORING POINTS
• Humans
• Equipment
• Environment
• Animals
• Contaminated eggs and chicks
• Contaminated feed9
ENVIRONMENTAL ROUTES OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION
Environmental contaminants:
•wind
•water
•dust
• feathers
•manure
Drying and sunlight are very effective at killing many disease causing organisms. 10
GOOD BIOSECURITY PRACTICES
• Keep pets, wild birds and animals and other livestock away from the flock
• No trading or purchase of untested birds – quarantine new birds
• Use dedicated footwear/clothing or disposable coveralls and boot covers when checking your birds
• Hand washing before and after handling birds, manure, coops, eggs, etc.
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ISOLATION MEASURES
• Confine flocks to controlled environment
• Screen houses to protect flock from wild birds
• Avoid contact with migratory waterfowl and other birds
• Restrict visitors
• Do not share equipment, coops or leftover feed
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REDUCE EXPOSURE RISKS
• Control vector habitat and attractants• birds• rodents• varmints• insects
• Make sure pen is animal and bird proof
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MAINTAIN FLOCK HEALTH
Minimize stressors to prevent increased susceptibility to disease
• Fresh feed
• Clean water
• Clean, dry litter
• Good ventilation
• Provide an overall comfortable environment
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CLEANING AND SANITATION
Five steps to cleaning and disinfection (C&D)
1. Dry Clean (remove all organic matter)
2. Soap
3. Rinse
4. Dry
5. Disinfect
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DISEASE/HEALTH CHECKS
• Watch for symptoms such as:
• Coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, ruffled feathers, loss of feathers, excessive picking, labored breathing and sudden drops in production and feed or water consumption
• Eliminate unhealthy or nonproductive birds
• Check birds periodically for lice, mites, and worms
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FINDING HELP
• Local Vet
• Texas Animal Health Commission
• 1-800-550-8242
• http://www.tahc.texas.gov
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories – Poultry Labs
• Gonzales – (830) 672-2834 – Dr. Ficken
• Center – (936) 598-4451 – Dr. Moore
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USDA biosecurity program
• http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/
RESOURCES
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posc.tamu.edu
• Extension • Publications
• Avian Influenza Information (subheading)• PDF materials• Links to websites
http://posc.tamu.edu/texas-agrilife-poultry-extension-specialists/publications
RESOURCES
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