This document provides information and tips on backyard bird biosecurity. It discusses how to prevent the spread of diseases to backyard birds through contaminated hands, feet, equipment or other birds. It lists basic biosecurity rules like restricting access to birds, keeping areas clean, and not sharing equipment. It also provides signs of infectious diseases and emphasizes the importance of reporting any sick birds. The goal of biosecurity is to create barriers that keep disease out and protect backyard birds.

1. BirdBird
BiosecurityBiosecurity

2. Bird BiosecurityBird Biosecurity
You must prevent germs from beingYou must prevent germs from being
transported to your birds bytransported to your birds by
contaminated hands, feet, equipmentcontaminated hands, feet, equipment
or other birds.or other birds.
Here are some basic rules forHere are some basic rules for
practicing backyard biosecurity. Doingpracticing backyard biosecurity. Doing
these things will greatly decrease thethese things will greatly decrease the
risk of carrying disease to your birds.risk of carrying disease to your birds.

3. What is Backyard Biosecurity?What is Backyard Biosecurity?
Priority 1: Keep your birds healthy. Your property needsPriority 1: Keep your birds healthy. Your property needs
to be a “safe” area and biosecurity practices are theto be a “safe” area and biosecurity practices are the
barriers you can use to keep disease out!barriers you can use to keep disease out!
Biosecurity means doing everything you can toBiosecurity means doing everything you can to
protect your birds from disease. Birds exposed to even aprotect your birds from disease. Birds exposed to even a
few bacteria, viruses or parasites my become sick and diefew bacteria, viruses or parasites my become sick and die
even in just a single day.even in just a single day.
Biosecurity is informed common sense. Don’t bring germsBiosecurity is informed common sense. Don’t bring germs
to your birds and don’t bring your birds to germs. Germsto your birds and don’t bring your birds to germs. Germs
are persistent, invisible killers that survive in soil,are persistent, invisible killers that survive in soil,
droppings, and debris.droppings, and debris.
Biosecurity practices don’t have to be cumbersome orBiosecurity practices don’t have to be cumbersome or
expensive. A small tub, a gallon of bleach or disinfectant,expensive. A small tub, a gallon of bleach or disinfectant,
and a brush will go a long way toward protecting yourand a brush will go a long way toward protecting your
birds from “outside” diseases.birds from “outside” diseases.

4. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
1. Keep Your Distance1. Keep Your Distance
Restrict access to your property and birds.Restrict access to your property and birds.
Fence off the area where your birds areFence off the area where your birds are
forming a barrier between “clean” andforming a barrier between “clean” and
“dirty” areas. The clean area is the“dirty” areas. The clean area is the
immediate area surrounding your birds, andimmediate area surrounding your birds, and
the dirty or buffer area must bethe dirty or buffer area must be
considered to be infected with germs, evenconsidered to be infected with germs, even
if the birds appear healthy and diseaseif the birds appear healthy and disease
free.free.

5. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
1. Keep Your Distance1. Keep Your Distance
Allow only people who take care of your birds toAllow only people who take care of your birds to
come into contact with them. Caretakers shouldcome into contact with them. Caretakers should
not attend bird shows or other events wherenot attend bird shows or other events where
birds are present. If visitors to your propertybirds are present. If visitors to your property
want to see your birds, be sure they first washwant to see your birds, be sure they first wash
and clean their shoes, or keep clean boots forand clean their shoes, or keep clean boots for
visitors to wear. If your visitors have birds ofvisitors to wear. If your visitors have birds of
their own,their own, do notdo not let them near your birds at all.let them near your birds at all.
Game birds and migratory waterfowl should notGame birds and migratory waterfowl should not
have contact with your flock because they canhave contact with your flock because they can
carry germs and diseases. If your birds arecarry germs and diseases. If your birds are
outdoors, try to keep them in a screenedoutdoors, try to keep them in a screened
area.area.

6. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
2. Keep It Clean2. Keep It Clean
Don’t track dirt and disease into your poultryDon’t track dirt and disease into your poultry
area. Germs can be picked up on shoes andarea. Germs can be picked up on shoes and
clothing and moved from one area to another.clothing and moved from one area to another.
Keep a pair of shoes and a set of clothes to wearKeep a pair of shoes and a set of clothes to wear
only around your birds near the entrance to theironly around your birds near the entrance to their
bird area. Clean and disinfect your shoes andbird area. Clean and disinfect your shoes and
launder your clothes before you check on or worklaunder your clothes before you check on or work
with your birds.with your birds.
Scrubbing your shoes with a long-handled scrubScrubbing your shoes with a long-handled scrub
brush and disinfectant will remove droppings,brush and disinfectant will remove droppings,
mud, or debris. Wash clothes with laundrymud, or debris. Wash clothes with laundry
detergent in a washing machine.detergent in a washing machine.

7. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
2. Keep It Clean2. Keep It Clean
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, water,Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, water,
and a disinfectant before entering your birdand a disinfectant before entering your bird
area.area.
Keep cages, food, and water clean on a dailyKeep cages, food, and water clean on a daily
basis, including tools such as feed scoops,basis, including tools such as feed scoops,
shovels, rakes and brooms. Clean with soap andshovels, rakes and brooms. Clean with soap and
water to remove droppings and other debriswater to remove droppings and other debris
first. Then disinfect equipment.first. Then disinfect equipment.
Properly dispose of dead birds by burial orProperly dispose of dead birds by burial or
incineration or take them to a landfill.incineration or take them to a landfill.

8. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
3. Don’t Haul Disease Home3. Don’t Haul Disease Home
 Car and truck tires, poultry cages, and equipment can allCar and truck tires, poultry cages, and equipment can all
harbor “germs.” If you travel to a location where otherharbor “germs.” If you travel to a location where other
birds are present, or even to the feed store, be sure tobirds are present, or even to the feed store, be sure to
clean and disinfect these items before you return to yourclean and disinfect these items before you return to your
property.property.
 Taking some of your birds to a fair or exhibition? KeepTaking some of your birds to a fair or exhibition? Keep
those birds separated from the rest of your flock andthose birds separated from the rest of your flock and
watch them for at least 2 weeks after the event towatch them for at least 2 weeks after the event to
ensure that they didn’t pick up a disease.ensure that they didn’t pick up a disease.
 New birds should be kept separate from your flock for atNew birds should be kept separate from your flock for at
least 30 days before putting them with the rest of yourleast 30 days before putting them with the rest of your
birds. To prevent disease, it is best not to mix young andbirds. To prevent disease, it is best not to mix young and
old birds or birds from different speciesold birds or birds from different species
or different sources.or different sources.

9. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
4. Don’t Borrow Disease From Your Neighbor4. Don’t Borrow Disease From Your Neighbor
 Do not share birds, lawn and garden equipment,Do not share birds, lawn and garden equipment,
tools, or poultry supplies with your neighbors ortools, or poultry supplies with your neighbors or
other bird owners. If you do bring these itemsother bird owners. If you do bring these items
home, clean and disinfect themhome, clean and disinfect them beforebefore theythey
reach your property. And remember to clean andreach your property. And remember to clean and
disinfect borrowed items before returning them.disinfect borrowed items before returning them.
Never share items such as wooden pallets orNever share items such as wooden pallets or
cardboard egg cartons because they are porouscardboard egg cartons because they are porous
and cannot be adequately cleaned andand cannot be adequately cleaned and
disinfected.disinfected.

10. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
5. Know the Warning Signs of Infectious Bird5. Know the Warning Signs of Infectious Bird
DiseasesDiseases
Many bird diseases can be difficult to diagnose. The listMany bird diseases can be difficult to diagnose. The list
below includes some of the things to look for that signalbelow includes some of the things to look for that signal
something might be wrong with your birds. Earlysomething might be wrong with your birds. Early
detection of signs is very important to prevent thedetection of signs is very important to prevent the
spread of disease.spread of disease.
 Sudden deathSudden death
 DiarrheaDiarrhea
 Decreased or complete loss of egg production; soft-shelled,Decreased or complete loss of egg production; soft-shelled,
misshapen eggsmisshapen eggs
 Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughingSneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing
 Lack of energy and appetiteLack of energy and appetite
 Swelling of tissues around eyes and in neckSwelling of tissues around eyes and in neck
 Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legsPurple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs
 Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of headDepression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head
and neck, incoordination, complete paralysisand neck, incoordination, complete paralysis

11. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
6. Report Sick Birds6. Report Sick Birds
Do not wait to report unusual signs of disease orDo not wait to report unusual signs of disease or
unexpected deaths among your birds. Call yourunexpected deaths among your birds. Call your
agricultural extension agent, local veterinarian, the Stateagricultural extension agent, local veterinarian, the State
Veterinarian, or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)Veterinarian, or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Veterinary Services office. USDA operates a toll-freeVeterinary Services office. USDA operates a toll-free
hotline (1–866–536–7593) with veterinarians to help you.hotline (1–866–536–7593) with veterinarians to help you.
USDA wants to test sick birds to make sure they do notUSDA wants to test sick birds to make sure they do not
have a serious poultry disease. There is no charge forhave a serious poultry disease. There is no charge for
USDA veterinarians to work with you to conduct aUSDA veterinarians to work with you to conduct a
disease investigation. Early reporting is important todisease investigation. Early reporting is important to
protecting the health of your birds!protecting the health of your birds!

12. Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry DiseaseBiosecurity Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Disease
DisinfectantsDisinfectants
 Cleaning and disinfecting is one of the most important steps you canCleaning and disinfecting is one of the most important steps you can
take in practicing backyard biosecurity. Below are some examples oftake in practicing backyard biosecurity. Below are some examples of
disinfectants available on the market. Thoroughly clean and scrubdisinfectants available on the market. Thoroughly clean and scrub
objects before applying disinfectants. Disinfectants cannot work onobjects before applying disinfectants. Disinfectants cannot work on
top of caked-on dirt and manure, so thoroughly wash surfaces beforetop of caked-on dirt and manure, so thoroughly wash surfaces before
disinfecting.disinfecting.
 Apply disinfectants using brushes, sponges and spray units. AllowApply disinfectants using brushes, sponges and spray units. Allow
adequate contact time (follow manufacturer’s instructions.)adequate contact time (follow manufacturer’s instructions.)
 Dispose of used disinfectant according to local regulations.Dispose of used disinfectant according to local regulations.
Examples of DisinfectantsExamples of Disinfectants
 Roccal ®: Mix _ fluid oz of Roccal per gallon of water.Roccal ®: Mix _ fluid oz of Roccal per gallon of water.
 Nolvasan® (chlorhexidine diacetate 2 percent): Mix 3 fluid oz ofNolvasan® (chlorhexidine diacetate 2 percent): Mix 3 fluid oz of
Nolvasan per gallon of water.Nolvasan per gallon of water.
 Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6 percent): Mix _ cup ofHousehold bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6 percent): Mix _ cup of
household bleach per gallon of water.household bleach per gallon of water.
 Lysol ® spray for footwearLysol ® spray for footwear
 Purell® hand pump for hand disinfectionPurell® hand pump for hand disinfection

13. Why Be Concerned?Why Be Concerned?
 An outbreak of a bird disease such as exoticAn outbreak of a bird disease such as exotic
Newcastle disease or highly pathogenic avianNewcastle disease or highly pathogenic avian
influenza could not only harm or kill yourinfluenza could not only harm or kill your
birds, it could spread quickly and kill otherbirds, it could spread quickly and kill other
nearby birds.nearby birds.
 Early detection and reporting is the mostEarly detection and reporting is the most
important step in eradicating a diseaseimportant step in eradicating a disease
outbreak. Don’t be afraid of “crying wolf.”outbreak. Don’t be afraid of “crying wolf.”
State and Federal veterinarians want to hearState and Federal veterinarians want to hear
about sick and dying birds.about sick and dying birds.
You are the best protection your birds have!You are the best protection your birds have!

14. Exotic Newcastle Disease (END)Exotic Newcastle Disease (END)
What is END?What is END?
 END is a contagious and fatal viral diseaseEND is a contagious and fatal viral disease
affecting all species of birds. END isaffecting all species of birds. END is
probably one of the most infectiousprobably one of the most infectious
diseases of poultry in the world. END is sodiseases of poultry in the world. END is so
deadly that many birds die without showingdeadly that many birds die without showing
any signs of disease. A death rate ofany signs of disease. A death rate of
almost 100 percent can occur inalmost 100 percent can occur in
unvaccinated poultry flocks. Exoticunvaccinated poultry flocks. Exotic
Newcastle can infect and cause death evenNewcastle can infect and cause death even
in vaccinated birds.in vaccinated birds.

15. What are the signs?What are the signs?
END affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestiveEND affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive
systems. The incubation period for the disease rangessystems. The incubation period for the disease ranges
from 2 to 15 days. An infected bird may show thefrom 2 to 15 days. An infected bird may show the
following signs:following signs:
 Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing;Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing;
 Greenish, watery diarrhea;Greenish, watery diarrhea;
 Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting ofDepression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of
head and neck, circling, complete paralysis;head and neck, circling, complete paralysis;
 Partial to complete drop in egg production;Partial to complete drop in egg production;
 Production of thin-shelled eggs;Production of thin-shelled eggs;
 Swelling of the tissues around the eyes and in the neck;Swelling of the tissues around the eyes and in the neck;
 Sudden death;Sudden death;
 Increased death loss in a flockIncreased death loss in a flock

16. How Does It Spread?How Does It Spread?
END is spread mainly through direct contactEND is spread mainly through direct contact
between healthy birds and the bodily discharges ofbetween healthy birds and the bodily discharges of
infected birds. The disease is transmitted throughinfected birds. The disease is transmitted through
infected birds' droppings and secretions from theinfected birds' droppings and secretions from the
nose, mouth, and eyes.nose, mouth, and eyes.
High concentrations of the END virus are in birds'High concentrations of the END virus are in birds'
bodily discharges. Therefore, the disease can bebodily discharges. Therefore, the disease can be
spread easily by mechanical means. The virus can bespread easily by mechanical means. The virus can be
picked up on shoes and clothing and carried from anpicked up on shoes and clothing and carried from an
infected flock to a healthy one. The disease is ofteninfected flock to a healthy one. The disease is often
spread by vaccination and debeaking crews, manurespread by vaccination and debeaking crews, manure
haulers, rendering truck drivers, feed deliveryhaulers, rendering truck drivers, feed delivery
personnel, poultry buyers, egg service people,personnel, poultry buyers, egg service people,
and poultry farm owners and employees.and poultry farm owners and employees.

17. How Does It Spread?How Does It Spread?
The END virus can survive for several weeks in aThe END virus can survive for several weeks in a
warm and humid environment on birds' feathers,warm and humid environment on birds' feathers,
manure, and other materials. It can survivemanure, and other materials. It can survive
indefinitely in frozen material. The virus isindefinitely in frozen material. The virus is
destroyed rapidly by dehydration and by thedestroyed rapidly by dehydration and by the
ultraviolet rays in sunlight.ultraviolet rays in sunlight.
Smuggled pet birds, especially Amazon parrots fromSmuggled pet birds, especially Amazon parrots from
Latin America, pose a great risk of introducingLatin America, pose a great risk of introducing
Exotic Newcastle into U.S. poultry flocks. AmazonExotic Newcastle into U.S. poultry flocks. Amazon
parrots that are carriers of the disease but do notparrots that are carriers of the disease but do not
show symptoms are capable of shedding END virusshow symptoms are capable of shedding END virus
for more than 400 days.for more than 400 days.

18. What can you do to prevent END?What can you do to prevent END?
Since END is spread by un-sanitary methods bySince END is spread by un-sanitary methods by
making biosecurity a part of your daily routine, youmaking biosecurity a part of your daily routine, you
can decrease the chance of END showing up in yourcan decrease the chance of END showing up in your
birds.birds.
Call your veterinarian or local extension agent toCall your veterinarian or local extension agent to
examine all of your sick birds or birds that dieexamine all of your sick birds or birds that die
suddenly, especially if you have been around othersuddenly, especially if you have been around other
people’s birds or brought new birds home.people’s birds or brought new birds home.
END is also a threat to pet birds. Birds that areEND is also a threat to pet birds. Birds that are
illegally brought into the United States may spreadillegally brought into the United States may spread
the END virus because they are not quarantined andthe END virus because they are not quarantined and
tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculturetested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA).(USDA).

19. ENDEND Preventions:Preventions:
Ask bird suppliers for copies of paperwork that provesAsk bird suppliers for copies of paperwork that proves
their birds are imported into the United States legally ortheir birds are imported into the United States legally or
are from U.S. stock, were healthy before being shipped,are from U.S. stock, were healthy before being shipped,
and were transported in new or thoroughly disinfectedand were transported in new or thoroughly disinfected
containers.containers.
Keep records of all sales, shipments, and movements ofKeep records of all sales, shipments, and movements of
birds.birds.
Separate all newly purchased birds from older ones forSeparate all newly purchased birds from older ones for
at least 30 days. Examine the new bird, checking it forat least 30 days. Examine the new bird, checking it for
any sign of disease or illness before introducing it intoany sign of disease or illness before introducing it into
your flock.your flock.

20. Avian Influenza (AI)Avian Influenza (AI)
Worldwide, there are many strains of avianWorldwide, there are many strains of avian
influenza (AI) virus that can cause varyinginfluenza (AI) virus that can cause varying
amounts of clinical illness in poultry. AI virusesamounts of clinical illness in poultry. AI viruses
can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail,can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail,
ducks, geese and guinea fowl, as well as a wideducks, geese and guinea fowl, as well as a wide
variety of other birds. Migratory waterfowl havevariety of other birds. Migratory waterfowl have
proved to be a natural reservoir for the lessproved to be a natural reservoir for the less
infectious strains of the disease known as lowinfectious strains of the disease known as low
pathogenicity avian influenza.pathogenicity avian influenza.

21. Avian Influenza (AI)Avian Influenza (AI)
AI viruses can be classified into low pathogenicity (LPAI) andAI viruses can be classified into low pathogenicity (LPAI) and
high pathogenicity (HPAI) based on the severity of the illnesshigh pathogenicity (HPAI) based on the severity of the illness
they cause. HIGH is an extremely infectious and fatal form ofthey cause. HIGH is an extremely infectious and fatal form of
the disease that, once established, can spread rapidly fromthe disease that, once established, can spread rapidly from
flock to flock. However, some LPAI virus strains are capableflock to flock. However, some LPAI virus strains are capable
of mutating under field conditions into HPAI viruses.of mutating under field conditions into HPAI viruses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal andThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to keep HPAIPlant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to keep HPAI
from becoming established in the U.S. poultry population.from becoming established in the U.S. poultry population.

22. What are the signs?What are the signs?
The clinical signs of birds affected with all forms of AI mayThe clinical signs of birds affected with all forms of AI may
show one or more of the following:show one or more of the following:
 Sudden death without clinical signsSudden death without clinical signs
 Lack of energy and appetiteLack of energy and appetite
 Decreased egg productionDecreased egg production
 Soft–shelled or misshapen eggsSoft–shelled or misshapen eggs
 Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocksSwelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
 Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legsPurple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs
 Nasal dischargeNasal discharge
 Coughing, sneezingCoughing, sneezing
 Lack of coordinationLack of coordination
 DiarrheaDiarrhea

23. How is AI Spread?How is AI Spread?
Exposure of poultry to migratory waterfowl and theExposure of poultry to migratory waterfowl and the
international movement of poultry, poultry equipment, andinternational movement of poultry, poultry equipment, and
people pose risks for introducing AI.people pose risks for introducing AI.
Once introduced, the disease can be spread from bird toOnce introduced, the disease can be spread from bird to
bird by direct contact. AI viruses can also be spread bybird by direct contact. AI viruses can also be spread by
manure, equipment, vehicles, egg flats, crates, and peoplemanure, equipment, vehicles, egg flats, crates, and people
whose clothing or shoes have come in contact with thewhose clothing or shoes have come in contact with the
virus. AI viruses can remain viable at moderatevirus. AI viruses can remain viable at moderate
temperatures for long periods in the environment and cantemperatures for long periods in the environment and can
survive indefinitely in frozen material. One gram ofsurvive indefinitely in frozen material. One gram of
contaminated manure can contain enough virus to infectcontaminated manure can contain enough virus to infect
one million birds.one million birds.

24. What can you do to prevent AI?What can you do to prevent AI?
Materials that carry the AI virus can be pickedMaterials that carry the AI virus can be picked
up on shoes and clothing and moved from an areaup on shoes and clothing and moved from an area
with sick birds to an area with healthy ones.with sick birds to an area with healthy ones.
Moving birds from one place to another can alsoMoving birds from one place to another can also
spread diseases, especially because some birdsspread diseases, especially because some birds
can carry disease without looking sick. By makingcan carry disease without looking sick. By making
biosecurity a part of your daily routine whilebiosecurity a part of your daily routine while
caring for your birds, you decrease the chance ofcaring for your birds, you decrease the chance of
AI showing up in your birds.AI showing up in your birds.
Import RestrictionsImport Restrictions

25. Remember . . . .Remember . . . .
REPORT SICK BIRDS!!!!REPORT SICK BIRDS!!!!
1-866-536-75931-866-536-7593
(toll free)(toll free)