Post by Kickingbird on Jan 15, 2004 8:55:57 GMT -5
This is an issue that is of great importance if you are developing a flock of birds that you intend to keep for a long period of time.
Bio-security is the keeping of biological hazards (bacteria and viruses) AWAY from your flock.
There are several easy things you can do to prevent your birds from becomming sick.
1) Have a quarenteen area for any birds that you bring into the flock. If possible I would keep new birds in this area for about 6 weeks.
When you have birds quarantined prior to introduction to the flock OR because they are sick, feed them LAST. After you feed them you should have time to go wash up before you handle any more of your birds.
2) Keep visitors to a minimum. If possible don't let anyone near your birds if they have been in contact with other birds within two days. I know this sounds hard but it is not realy. You just have to learn to be kind of a hard nose
If I have ppl that I want to show birds to I put them in show cages in my garage and let them look at them there but they are not allowed to go into the chicken yard.
Also keep a can of Lysol spray around and have visitors spray the bottoms and sides of their shoes. This kills most bacteria and is a method used by some of the biggest genetics companies in the poultry industry.
Bio-security applies to EVERYONE that enters your yard. If you have feed delivered, have the guy stop the truck at the end of the drive if possible and transfer the feed yourself. The driver may have just been at another poultry farm and could be delivering more than feed!
3) Sparrow proof your brood pens (all pens if possible). Your brood pens represent ALL of the future generations of your flock. Protect them as much as possible. Keep sparrows and other nucience birds OUT of your brood pens! At the very least they will bring lice, at the most CRD or some other disease. Even if they can't get the disease themselfs. Some organisms have been found to live on feathers for up to 48 hours. The sparrow living in your barn could be building a nest with infected feathers from the neighbors.
More to come....stay tuned.
KB
Bio-security is the keeping of biological hazards (bacteria and viruses) AWAY from your flock.
There are several easy things you can do to prevent your birds from becomming sick.
1) Have a quarenteen area for any birds that you bring into the flock. If possible I would keep new birds in this area for about 6 weeks.
When you have birds quarantined prior to introduction to the flock OR because they are sick, feed them LAST. After you feed them you should have time to go wash up before you handle any more of your birds.
2) Keep visitors to a minimum. If possible don't let anyone near your birds if they have been in contact with other birds within two days. I know this sounds hard but it is not realy. You just have to learn to be kind of a hard nose
If I have ppl that I want to show birds to I put them in show cages in my garage and let them look at them there but they are not allowed to go into the chicken yard.
Also keep a can of Lysol spray around and have visitors spray the bottoms and sides of their shoes. This kills most bacteria and is a method used by some of the biggest genetics companies in the poultry industry.
Bio-security applies to EVERYONE that enters your yard. If you have feed delivered, have the guy stop the truck at the end of the drive if possible and transfer the feed yourself. The driver may have just been at another poultry farm and could be delivering more than feed!
3) Sparrow proof your brood pens (all pens if possible). Your brood pens represent ALL of the future generations of your flock. Protect them as much as possible. Keep sparrows and other nucience birds OUT of your brood pens! At the very least they will bring lice, at the most CRD or some other disease. Even if they can't get the disease themselfs. Some organisms have been found to live on feathers for up to 48 hours. The sparrow living in your barn could be building a nest with infected feathers from the neighbors.
More to come....stay tuned.
KB