Biosecurity involves implementing measures to prevent the spread of disease-causing organisms to other farms or flocks. Maintaining the biosecurity of your poultry flock is a vital responsibility. The government and the poultry industry have worked together to create biosecurity guides, which are regularly updated with new information and standards.
Key disease symptoms to watch for include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, droopiness, abnormal droppings, and sudden drops in feed consumption or egg production. If you notice any of these symptoms, isolate the sick birds and consult your local veterinarian or poultry disease diagnostic laboratory for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Severely ill birds should be humanely euthanized and disposed of according to local regulations, either by burial or incineration. If disposal pits are permitted, they should be located at least 46 meters (150 feet) from wells or springs.
To prevent disease spread, avoid mixing birds of different ages or species. Young birds are more susceptible to diseases carried by older birds, and turkeys and game birds can be affected by diseases carried by chickens. Disease control can be achieved through thorough cleaning and disinfection of facilities and equipment before introducing new birds. Proper sanitation practices will help prevent disease transmission from one flock to another.
Maintaining fresh, dry litter is essential, as wet and caked litter can incubate disease. By keeping litter clean and dry, you can minimize the risk of disease spread.
