small flock biosecurity Flashcards
Biosecurity common goal
to have healthy birds no matter what size or species
how many broilers, layers, or turkeys can you have without quota?
- 300 broilers (Farmgate sales only, after inspected slaughter)
- 50 turkeys (Can sell, after inspected slaughter)
- 99 layers (Farmgate sales only, if not graded)
- no quota for other birds eg. ducks
Why Should I Care if My
Birds Are Healthy?
l Bird Welfare
l Optimum Growth and Production
l Optimum Reproduction
l Movement – only healthy birds or chicks and eggs from healthy birds can cross borders
Recipe for Disease
- pathogen, host, route of transmission
“The Wall of Protection” - what general things protect poultry from disease?
- management
- biosecurity
- sanitation
- vaccination
- nutrition
nutrition for small flocks
- what do we need?
- common problems? what will we see?
- Make sure your birds are fed a balanced diet designed to meet the needs of the bird for its species and type (e.g. laying hen or meat type bird)
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Common Problems
1. Not providing commercially prepared starter feed
2. Not using a fortified supplement in the right proportions when grain is added to the diet
<><><><> - Improper diets: poor feathering, slow growth, leg problems, increased fatness, cannibalism, egg eating, thin shelled eggs, etc.
Biosecurity for small flocks
- simple but most effective principles
- Be careful who visits your farm!
- signage
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Simple but most effective: - Washing hands
- Having designated clothes and boots
- Restricting access/handling of birds
How disease agents can move from one farm to another…
- wild birds
- rodents, pests, and predators
- people
- wind
- etc…
mouse and rats - how much space do they need?
dime and quarter
Quarantine principles, time
Quarantine new birds or birds that have been in contact with other birds (at a show, auction, etc.) for 14 - 28 days.
strategies for preventing contact with wild birds
Minimize contact with wild birds and wildlife through netting and covered feed and water bins
Avian Influenza- What Is It? types?
- Avian influenza (AI), often called “bird flu,” is caused by the Type “A” influenza virus. This virus can affect several species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet and wild birds.
- Avian influenza viruses can be broadly classified into 2 types, based on the severity of the illness caused in birds:
> low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)
> highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) - Most avian influenza viruses are low pathogenic. These typically cause little or no signs of illness in infected birds.
- However, highly pathogenic viruses can cause severe illness and death in birds.
- We are dealing with an H5N1 HPAI Eurasian Strain of Avian Influenza
clinical signs of AI in chickens
- severe illness 1-2d post exposure: ruffled feathers, severe lethargy
- Day 3: cyanotic/necrotic combs and wattles, periorbital edema, lathargy
turkeys signs of AI
- not apparent until close to death
- severe lethargy, huddling, ruffles feathers
- trouble walking, neurological signs
HPAI Also Infects:
l Also impacted Commercial Ducks-
l Gamebirds
l Wild birds- Ducks, Geese, Swans, Colonial
Nesters
l Including Scavengers- Raptors like Hawks,
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Eagles, Owls and Turkey Vultures and Corvids like Crows and Ravens
l Including Scavenger Mammals- Skunks, foxes, raccoons, mink, otter, a Bear in PQ and Seals
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l And a dog and numerous cats (mostly feral)
l And potentially humans….
