Despite model response, flu concerns remain (Poultry Specialist)
(Editor’s note: Jennifer Timmons is an Assistant Professor, University of Maryland Eastern Shore.)As a chicken grower we are always hearing about the importance of bio-security. This has been especially the case this past winter, when cases of avian influenza were detected in some U.S. poultry flocks. According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, since July 2022 there have been 395 cases of avian influenza in the United States which includes about 40 million birds. The disease has infected turkeys, laying chickens and some backyard flocks with mixed birds. The last reported case was July 22, which affected a backyard flock in Oregon.
There have been four recorded outbreaks of avian influenza (1924, 1983, 2004 and 2014) in the United States. The 1924 and 2004 outbreaks were quickly controlled, however the 1983 outbreak was much larger and affected 17 million chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl. The 2014-15 outbreak of avian influenza affected about 48 million birds. In past outbreaks, the virus was spread by the movement of people and equipment from farm to farm. It was also suspected that several farms were infected via airborne transmission.
The Delmarva broiler industry response to the current avian influenza outbreak was proactive, well-planned and well-executed. However there is continued concern that the avian influenza virus will return to the broiler industry on Delmarva this fall and winter. As a grower, it is imperative to implement and practice good bio-security to reduce the spread of disease. It is evident that the benefits of bio-security programs have long been recognized, but these programs are only effective if they are implemented properly by everyone involved with raising the flock.
Some components of a good bio-security program are limiting visitors to your farm, and don’t visit any other poultry farms. Other practices to consider are keeping clothing such as boots, gloves and hats separate from those worn off the farm. It is critical to have a pair of shoes/boots for each chicken house and maintaining a disinfectant station for shoes in each chicken house prior to entering. Keep in mind, footbaths are only beneficial if they are maintained and kept free of dirt and debris. A poorly managed footbath can increase the spread of disease rather than prevent it. Clean and disinfect all equipment before it is allowed on the farm and again after it leaves the farm. Properly dispose of dead birds as to not invite flies and scavengers on your farm. In addition, keep wild birds and pests out of chicken houses by maintaining a good rodent and insect control program and keeping the farm free of debris and high grass as to prevent rodents and wild birds from feeding and living on the farm.
One innovative method to reduce the number of wild birds on farms is the use of automated lasers. Lasers have been used around airfields, landfills, crop fields, and on oil rig platforms to keep wild birds away from these areas. Wild birds perceive the rapid movement of the laser beam across the ground to be a threat and therefore will leave the area. There have been studies in Europe investigating the efficacy of lasers to repel wild birds, and most reported that wild birds avoided these areas in response to the laser beams.
In addition, it is important to establish and maintain an emergency contact list. This is a list of individuals who should be contacted if a significant infectious disease occurs. Communication is a key component of any bio-security program.
Remember it is everyone’s job to maintain bio-security. A strong bio-security program is worthless if everyone does not comply with the program. It is important to educate and train everyone involved in order to assure your bio-security program is successful. Hopefully this fall and winter will be free of any poultry health emergencies, but if one does occur a strong bio-security program will provide you with the tools necessary to prevent infection onto your farm.
There have been four recorded outbreaks of avian influenza (1924, 1983, 2004 and 2014) in the United States. The 1924 and 2004 outbreaks were quickly controlled, however the 1983 outbreak was much larger and affected 17 million chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl. The 2014-15 outbreak of avian influenza affected about 48 million birds. In past outbreaks, the virus was spread by the movement of people and equipment from farm to farm. It was also suspected that several farms were infected via airborne transmission.
The Delmarva broiler industry response to the current avian influenza outbreak was proactive, well-planned and well-executed. However there is continued concern that the avian influenza virus will return to the broiler industry on Delmarva this fall and winter. As a grower, it is imperative to implement and practice good bio-security to reduce the spread of disease. It is evident that the benefits of bio-security programs have long been recognized, but these programs are only effective if they are implemented properly by everyone involved with raising the flock.
Some components of a good bio-security program are limiting visitors to your farm, and don’t visit any other poultry farms. Other practices to consider are keeping clothing such as boots, gloves and hats separate from those worn off the farm. It is critical to have a pair of shoes/boots for each chicken house and maintaining a disinfectant station for shoes in each chicken house prior to entering. Keep in mind, footbaths are only beneficial if they are maintained and kept free of dirt and debris. A poorly managed footbath can increase the spread of disease rather than prevent it. Clean and disinfect all equipment before it is allowed on the farm and again after it leaves the farm. Properly dispose of dead birds as to not invite flies and scavengers on your farm. In addition, keep wild birds and pests out of chicken houses by maintaining a good rodent and insect control program and keeping the farm free of debris and high grass as to prevent rodents and wild birds from feeding and living on the farm.
One innovative method to reduce the number of wild birds on farms is the use of automated lasers. Lasers have been used around airfields, landfills, crop fields, and on oil rig platforms to keep wild birds away from these areas. Wild birds perceive the rapid movement of the laser beam across the ground to be a threat and therefore will leave the area. There have been studies in Europe investigating the efficacy of lasers to repel wild birds, and most reported that wild birds avoided these areas in response to the laser beams.
In addition, it is important to establish and maintain an emergency contact list. This is a list of individuals who should be contacted if a significant infectious disease occurs. Communication is a key component of any bio-security program.
Remember it is everyone’s job to maintain bio-security. A strong bio-security program is worthless if everyone does not comply with the program. It is important to educate and train everyone involved in order to assure your bio-security program is successful. Hopefully this fall and winter will be free of any poultry health emergencies, but if one does occur a strong bio-security program will provide you with the tools necessary to prevent infection onto your farm.
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