This document discusses biosecurity practices for poultry farms. It defines biosecurity as measures taken to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases in poultry flocks. The objectives of biosecurity are to minimize disease risks and prevent the spread of disease within and between flocks. Key biosecurity practices include controlling human, vehicle, equipment and livestock movement; sanitation procedures; and vaccination/testing programs. Potential disease carriers include birds, rodents, insects, equipment, vehicles, feed, water and waste. The document outlines three levels of biosecurity - conceptual, structural and operational.

1. Biosecurity
Dr Waseem Ahmed
Broiler Manager Golden Chicken Farms co, KSA
+966 54 3978891

2. Bio-Security purpose
Biosecurity is an integral part of successful
poultry production system. It refers to those
measures taken to prevent or control the
introduction and spread of infectious agents to
a flock. Such as diseases, whether clinical or
sub-clinical., significantly reduce the
productivity and profitability of poultry
operation.

3. Objectives of bio-security
 To minimize the risk of the introduction of disease agents in to
our poultry( that may have a measurable impact on
performance)
 To prevent the spread of disease from an infected area to an
uninfected area.
 To limit the general environment pathogenic load, so that bird
do not have to expand emery in responding to environmental
pathogenic challenges.
 To minimize the incidence and spread of organism of public
health concern, e.g. salmonellae, campylobacter's and E. coli,
etc.

4. Overview of biosecurity practices
 Bio-security requires
1. Control of human traffic.
2. Control of rodents, insects, and wild birds.
3. Control of vehicular traffic.
4. Control of equipment movement.
5. Control of stock movement.
6. Control of inputs(e.g. feed, water)
7. Efficient clean-down and sanitation procedures.
8. Use of suitable vaccination/medication program.
9. Use of suitable sampling and testing program.
10.Implementation of suitable action plan, should any infection agent become evident
in a flock.

5. Sources or carriers of disease agents
 Transfer of birds
 Dead bird disposal
 Vertical transmission from chicks.
 Domestic and wild birds.
 Pets and domestic animals.
 Insects, e.g. flies and litter beetles
 Rodents.
 All peoples moving onto and within the site.
 Disease can be transmitted by hands, boots, clothing, dirty
hairs etc.

6.  Equipment's, tool boxes, wheel barrows, buckets etc.
 All vehicles entering and moving with in the site, e.g. feed delivery,
chick delivery, dirty litter removal, water delivery etc.
 Transmission as an aerosol or dust.
 Untreated water
 Surface water
 Source of litter or litter delivery.
 Contaminated feed.
 Waste and waste water.
 Laboratory used by company
 The site environment.

7. Four pillar's of Bio-security
Prevention of vertically transmitted pathogens.
Appropriate bio-security program
Increasing the poultry population resistance to
diseases or reducing the multiplication of
organism.
Early detection of diseases by monitoring
program.

8. 3 levels of bio-security
 Conceptual bio-security: includes selection of the location of operation. Factors that
are considered are bio density of region, layout of farm etc. generally defects in
conceptual bio-security can not be changed in response to disease emergence with
out considerable financial implications.
 Structural Bio-security: It includes considerations such as feed storage, bio-security
facility for visitor and laborer and managers, fence etc. these elements can be
improved in the medium term with some capital investment. Remedial action may be
possible with the sudden emergence of a disease but often will be too late.
 Operational Bio-security:It comprises the daily management steps to reduce
introduction and dissemination of organism that may cause disease. These activities
can be adjusted at short notice in response to a disease challenge. This level of bio-
security requires ongoing staff training and review of procedures.