Biosecurity Basics for Poultry Farmers

[Kvet Forum]

The cheapest and most-effective method of disease control is through implementing biosecurity.

Biosecurity ensures that the health and well being of your birds is protected hence improving the immunity and performance of your flock.

Biosecurity is a management practice designed to prevent entry of diseases into a farm. This in turn helps in limiting spread of diseases. It is an essential element to good animal husbandry process.

It is important that every poultry farmer monitors if their biosecurity plans are strong enough to keep out diseases.

Infectious diseases are introduced on farms through:

1. Introducing diseased or carrier birds - From infected parent stock or buying old birds from other farmers etc.
2. Visitors, suppliers, vets and farmers' clothing, shoes, vehicles etc.
3. Poor disposal of dead birds’ carcasses, feathers and litter.
4. Contaminated drinking water provided to the birds. Contamination can occur at the water source, in the reservoir tank or in the water pipes.
5. Rodents and wild birds. Rats and wild birds can move from farm to farm. Cats moving house to house, Mites & fleas introduced by wild birds etc.
6. Egg transmission: e.g. Setting contaminated eggs with clean eggs in one hatchery.
7. Contaminated feeds and feeding equipment.
8. Farmer’s ornamental birds and pets - Keeping pet birds like pigeons on a commercial poultry farm should be avoided.
9. Airborne infections - Diseases that cause flu-like symptoms can be transmitted through the wind.

For an effective biosecurity plan, there are three aspects that should be considered:

1. Isolation,
2. Human traffic control and
3. Sanitation.

Isolation:

This is done through confining the birds in a controlled environment and keeping all other animals out. This is achieved through:

• Construction of fences and placement of a gate - to control traffic in and out of the farm.
• Practicing all-in-all-out poultry management. Rearing birds of different age groups in one poultry house is highly risky.

If you have to introduce any bird or birds into the farm, ensure that there is an isolation unit as far as possible from the resident birds

These new birds should be isolated for 2-4 weeks. During this period the birds should be observed for signs of diseases and treated if any is seen. They should also be vaccinated before introducing them close to other flocks at the farm.

A vet carrying out farm visits should not visit any other farm after visiting a sick farm!
When a vet visits, he should start with the youngest flock at the farm.
Remember, a vet who never follows biosecurity guidelines is a vector.

Farmers should handle the new birds last after all the others. Ensure you obtain new birds from a reliable source.

Rodents and wild birds should be kept away. Rodents spread diseases into the farm through their droppings or secretions. They are kept out through placing wire nets and avoiding spillage of feeds outside the poultry house. Also ensure there are no dams near the poultry house as this attracts water birds.

In addition, clear the surroundings of bushes and shrubs as these provide hiding areas for rodents , mosquitoes and other wild animals.


Human Traffic Control:

Humans are the biggest threat to spread of diseases. Humans transfer diseases through their clothing, shoes, hands, equipment and vehicles. Every farmer should control the number of people that come into the farm.

Additionally, movement of farmhands in and out of the farm should be controlled.


Sanitation:

The poultry house should be kept clean to ensure that there is no spread of diseases. Chicken litter should be dry at all times as wet and dirty litter predisposes the birds to coccidiosis among other infections.

Visitors should have their cars and shoes disinfected at the entrance to the farm and poultry house respectively. Everyone should wash their hands with a disinfectant and wear protective clothing, a dust coat and gumboots, before they enter into the poultry house.

There should be a foot-bath at the entrance of every poultry house where all visitors must dip their foot wear. The disinfectant in the foot bath should be changed regularly.


Vaccination

This is an important way to prevent entry of diseases into a farm. Vaccines aid in providing your birds with a strong immune system that is able to resist infections.
Never vaccinate sick birds. Vaccines are only meant for prevention and not treatment.


Always keep good and up to date records. Records are an essential tool in monitoring whether biosecurity measures have been attained.