American Pastured Poultry Producers Association www.apppa.org

You Are The Key To Preventing Avian Diseases- USDA 1980 Issue 16

No matter what kinds of birds or poultry you own, you are the key to preventing infectious avian disease.

• People can introduce disease. Anyone going near a flock should wear sanitized clothing and footwear.
• Vehicles can introduce disease. All cars and trucks that can’t be kept off the premises should be cleaned and disinfected first.
• Equipment can harbor disease agents. Houses, cages, and all other items should be washed and disinfected between flocks.
• All poultry should come from official NPIP tested flocks.
• Buy replacement stock from proven disease-free hatcheries and breeders.
• Fighting cocks, pigeons, ducks, pheasants, fancy fowl and cage birds all need the same disease-prevention care as commercial chickens and turkeys.
• Follow a plan of preventative medicine, including timely vaccinations with USDA-licensed products.
• Isolation is important to avian health—put as much distance as possible between your birds and other birds, vermin, and traffic.
• If unusual health problems develop, take samples of blood, organs or birds to your veterinarian or State avian disease diagnostic laboratory.
• Laboratory tests can unmask disease conditions before a devastating epidemic can get out of hand.
• Quick action in the face of an epidemic can save a flock or an entire industry. Remember, you are the key.

Because of the heavy losses suffered from contagious disease outbreaks . . . USDA veterinarians strongly urge poultry producers, fancy poultry breeders, and exotic bird breeders to improve their sanitation in every phase of husbandry.

The suggested procedures are applicable in the prevention of any disease that can be transmitted by the movement of people, birds, and equipment.

What can you do?

Find out where your current or potential disease problems are. Take a good look at the movement of people, equipment, and birds on your farm.

Analyze your situation. Get expert advice from your veterinarian, county agent, or State or Federal animal health officials.