Biosecurity for

Poultry Flocks

Dr. Andreas HerrmannMerial S.A.S., Lyon

Biosecurity

• Biosecurity is a practice designed to prevent the spread of disease onto your farm.

• It is accomplished by maintaining the facility in such a way that there is minimal traffic of biological organisms across its broder.

Biosecurity

• Biosecurity is the cheapest, mosteffective means of disease control available.

• No disease prevention program willwork without it.

BiosecurityInfectious diseases spread by:• Diseased birds• Recovered but carrier birds• Shoes and clothing of visitors and workers• Contaminated objects (equipment)• Dead birds (not disposed of)• Contaminated water (surface)• Rodents, wild birds and animals, insects• Contaminated feed and feed bags• Contaminated cars, trucks, other vehicles• Contaminated soil and old litter• Air (dust, feather)• Eggs

BiosecurityTransmission of agents

Biosecurity

The 3 main components:

1. Isolation.

2. Traffic Control.

3. Sanitation.

Isolation

• Locate the farm in an isolated area.• Fence the farm properly.• Separate rearing flocks from flocks in

production, by placing them on different farms.

• Separate birds by age groups for all-in/all-out management.

• Make the chicken houses tight for rodents, insects, wild animals and birds.

Farm Location Construction• It is best to build the farm in an isolated area, at least

1.6 kilometers (1 mile) away from the nearest poultryor other facility that may contaminate the farm

• Build the farm away from major roadways that may be used to transport poultry

• Fence the perimeter of the farm to prevent unwanted visitors

• Test the water source(s) for mineral, bacterial and chemical contamination

• The design and construction of the chicken house should prevent wild birds and animals from entering thebuilding. All openings should be covered with 2.0 cm (3/4 inch) plastic coated poultry wire. It is preferable to have a concrete foundation and floor to prevent rodents from burrowing into the house.

• Clear and level an area 15 meters (50 feet) around all houses so that vegetation can be cut quickly and easily.

A Guide on biosecurity buffer distances

5000Duck, waterfowlDuck or waterfowl farms

2000 - 5000Fowl/turkeys or other avian species

Breeder farms

> 2000Fowl/turkeys or other avian species

Farm complexes

200 - 500Fowl/turkeys or other avian species

Units in large Farm complex

1000Fowls/turkeys/other avian species eg. ratites, quail

New farm

Buffer (m)SpeciesFarm type

Rodent and Pest Control

• Building requirements to make facilities rodent proof (metal doors and concrete floors)

• Eliminating potential harborage inside and outside the poultry houses (high grass,shrubs, garbage, broken equipment, burrows, etc.)

• Prompt and secure disposal of dead birds and unused/spilled feed

• Appropriate house management and sanitation• Regular inspections for pests• Rodent baiting and trapping• Control of flys and insects (flybaits,

insecticides)

Traffic Control

Traffic Control includes everything going onto the farm and moving on the farm:

• All vehicles• All human• All animals• All equipment• All items brought onto and taken from

the farmReduce it to the minimum!

Preventing Diseases Transmitted byHumans

• Minimize the number of visitors to the poultry farm bylocking the entry gates and posting no trespassing/novisitors signs.

• If supervisory personnel must visit more than one farm per day, they should make an effort to visit the youngest flocks first. Always visit flocks with disease problems last

• All persons entering the farm should follow a Biosecurity procedure. The requirement that all workers and visitors shower and use clean farm clothes is one of the bestprocedures to prevent cross contamination between facilities. If this is not possible, all workers and visitors should put on clean coveralls and boots upon arrival at the farm.

• Maintain a record of visitors, including name, company,purpose of visit, previous farm visited and next farm tobe visited.

• When entering and leaving each poultry house, workers and visitors must wash and sanitize their hands andboots.

Preventing Diseases Transmitted by Animal

• Whenever possible, place the farm on an "all in/all out" placement cycle. Multiple age chickens on the same siteprovide a reservoir for disease organisms.

• Downtime between flocks will reduce contamination of the farm. Downtime is defined as the time between completion ofthe cleaning/disinfection process and placement of the next flock. A minimum downtime of 2 weeks between flocks is recommended.

• Keep all vegetation 15 meters (50 ft) away from the buildings to provide an entry barrier to rodents and wild animals.

• Keep all equipment, building materials trash picked up toreduce cover for rodents and wild animals.

• Clean up feed spills as soon as they occur.• Store wood shavings and rice hulls for use as litter material in

bags or inside a storage building or bin.• Keep wild birds out of all buildings.• Maintain an effective rodent control program. Baiting

programs are most effective when followed continuously. • Use an effective integrated pest management program to

control pests through biological, mechanical and chemical means.

Sanitation

Disinfection of:• All materials• All people• All equipmentwhich enters the farmand cleanliness of:• Farm• Personnel

Common infectious diseases of poultry

Years

Weeks

Hours to days

Days to weeks

Weeks

Days

Days to weeks

Hours to days

Weeks

Months

Months

Lifespan away from birds

Avian tuberculosis

Salmonellosis

Mycoplasmosis

Newcastle disease

Marek’s disease

Infectious laryngotracheitis

Influenza

Fowl coryza

Fowl cholera

Coccidiosis

Infectious Bursal

Disease

House Cleanout and Disinfection(during 4-6 weeks down time)

• Insect and rodent control• Litter removal and disposal • Washing using a high

pressure washer with hotwater and detergent– Ceiling– Walls– Curtains– Feeders, drinkers and other

equipment– Concrete floor from back to

front

• Cleaning of external areas• Repairs and maintenance

• Inspection and securing of the farm

• Disinfection (inside and outside)

• Fumigation• Bacteriological

monitoring for salmonellas

• Laboratory approval("passing" status before re-stocking)

• Placement of newbedding material

• Litter treatment

Cleaning & DisinfectionApply sufficent service period betweenproduction cycles and use the time!

First clean (farm, house, feed silos):

1. Remove all equipment,bedding, feed, litter, manure

2. Sweep out dirt, dust, etc.

3. Scrub all surfaces with detergent (house & equipment)

4. Rinse all detergent and organic matter from surfaces with high power pressure sprayer using hot water

Second disinfect house and equipment:

1. Apply the disinfectant2. Let it dry completely3. Reapply disinfectant and

let it dry4. Put fresh litter material

and rinse water and feeding equipment before refilling them

Don’t forget permanent control of rodents and insects!

The main types ofdisinfectants

• Aldehydes (i.e., formalin,formaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde)

• Chlorine-releasing agents (i.e., sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sodiumdichloroisocyanurate, and chloramine-T)

• Iodophors (i.e., povidone-iodine and poloxamer-iodine)

• Phenols and bis-phenols (i.e., triclosan and hexachlorophene)

• Quaternary ammonium compounds • Peroxygens (i.e., hydrogen peroxide

and peracetic acid).

15 Biosecurity guidelines for commercial poultry farms

1. Maintain lockable gates or barriers and post "Restricted Entry," "Authorized PersonnelOnly," or "Do Not Enter- Biosecurity inEffect" signs at driveway entrances.

2. Keep poultry houses locked; fasten from inside while inside.

3. Resident flock manager should have clothing(including shoes, boots, hat and gloves)when caring for flocks separate from clothing worn off the farm.

15 Biosecurity guidelines for commercial poultry farms

4. Flock manager and other caretakers shouldnot visit any other poultry flocks.

5. Do not allow visitors in or near the poultryhouses.

6. Essential visitors such as poultry catchers,repairmen, and service personnel must put on protective outer clothing, including bootsand headgear, prior to being allowed near the flocks. Tools and equipment carried into the poultry houses should be cleaned and disinfected before they enter and upon leaving.

15 Biosecurity guidelines for commercial poultry farms

7. Keep a record (log) of visitors indicating their names, company or affiliation, address,telephone, and place last visited.

8. After caring for the flock, change clothes completely and wash hands and arms before leaving premises.

9. Monitor vehicles entering premises forpoultry pickup or delivery, feed delivery, fueldelivery, etc., to determine if they have been scrubbed down and the undercarriage and tires spray-disinfected prior to entering. If vehicle does not appear to be properly sanitized, do not admit the vehicle to the property.

15 Biosecurity guidelines for commercial poultry farms

10. Do not go to auctions or sales where chickens and other poultry species are being displayed or sold. These birds could carry AI, LT, MG, MS, and other infectious and economically devastating diseases.

11. Avoid contact with wild water-fowl and backyard chicken flocks.

12. All coops, crates, and other poultrycontainers or equipment must be cleaned and disinfected prior to use and followinguse.

13. Sick or dying birds should be submitted to a laboratory for diagnosis. Contact your flock supervisor.

15 Biosecurity guidelines for commercial poultry farms

14. Dead birds must be properly disposed of bycomposting or incineration.

15. When attending essential grower meetings or seminars:After your last poultry house visit, shower and change your clothing and footwear before attending meeting. Travel to the seminar in a vehicle that is notused on your farm. After returning from the meeting, disinfect footwear and vehicle floor mats and changeyour clothing. Use different clothing,footwear, and vehicle to re-enter your poultry operation.