Protecting Your Poultry s Health

1. Protecting Your Poultry’s Health Jo Anna Quinn, DVM, MAM, ACPV North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division

3. BIOSECURITY Measures used to prevent the spread of disease

5. Keep Your Distance Restrict access to your birds Gates, fences, locks No unnecessary visitors on your farm Keep your birds separated from wild game birds or migratory waterfowl

7. Keep It Clean Dedicated clothing for your farm Especially shoes Visitors should wear protective clothing Wash your hands thoroughly before entering and when leaving your bird area Clean cages, and Change food and water daily

8. Keep It Clean Clean and disinfect equipment. Clean cages and tools. Remove manure before disinfecting. Properly dispose of dead birds. Clean and disinfect equipment that comes in contact with your birds. Clean off all mud, droppings, manure or anything that could house disease, then disinfect. Don’t overlook cleaning and disinfecting tools such as feed scoops, shovels, rakes, and brooms. Again, remove manure and mud with soap and water before disinfecting. Properly dispose of dead birds by burial or incineration. Check local ordinances for what is acceptable in your area. Clean and disinfect equipment that comes in contact with your birds. Clean off all mud, droppings, manure or anything that could house disease, then disinfect. Don’t overlook cleaning and disinfecting tools such as feed scoops, shovels, rakes, and brooms. Again, remove manure and mud with soap and water before disinfecting. Properly dispose of dead birds by burial or incineration. Check local ordinances for what is acceptable in your area.

9. Mortality Disposal All domesticated animals that die must be buried to a depth of 3 feet beneath the surface of the ground within 24 hours after knowledge of the death. Cannot be closer than 300 feet to any flowing stream or public body of water. May use other approved methods.

10. Don’t Bring Disease Home Other birds or bird owners Feed store Change clothes before going back into your birds Don’t borrow or lend equipment Purchase birds from reliable source

11. Don’t Borrow Disease from Your Neighbor Do not share lawn and garden equipment, tools, or poultry supplies. If you bring items home, clean and disinfect them before they reach your property and before returning them. Don’t share wood or paper products. When borrowing tools you could be borrowing disease, so, number FOUR on our list is Don’t Borrow Disease from Your Neighbors. Do not share lawn and garden equipment, tools, or poultry supplies with your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do bring these items home, clean and disinfect them before they reach your property. And once used, be a good neighbor and clean and disinfect them before returning them. Some things such as wood pallets and cardboard egg cartons can’t be disinfected. Best advice is -- Never share wood or paper products. When borrowing tools you could be borrowing disease, so, number FOUR on our list is Don’t Borrow Disease from Your Neighbors. Do not share lawn and garden equipment, tools, or poultry supplies with your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do bring these items home, clean and disinfect them before they reach your property. And once used, be a good neighbor and clean and disinfect them before returning them. Some things such as wood pallets and cardboard egg cartons can’t be disinfected. Best advice is -- Never share wood or paper products.

12. Know the Warning Signs  of Infectious Bird Diseases Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock. Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and nasal discharge. Watery and green diarrhea. Lack of energy and poor appetite. We already touched on number five: The warning signs, but it is worth recapping here: Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock; Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and nasal discharge; Watery and green diarrhea; Lack of energy and poor appetite. We already touched on number five: The warning signs, but it is worth recapping here: Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock; Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and nasal discharge; Watery and green diarrhea; Lack of energy and poor appetite.

13. Know the Warning Signs  of Infectious Bird Diseases Drop in egg production or soft- or thin-shelled, misshapen eggs. Swelling around the eyes, neck, and head. Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs (AI). Drop in egg production or soft- or thin-shelled, misshapen eggs; Swelling around the eyes, neck, and head; A specific bird flu sign is – Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs. Drop in egg production or soft- or thin-shelled, misshapen eggs; Swelling around the eyes, neck, and head; A specific bird flu sign is – Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs.

14. Know the Warning Signs  of Infectious Bird Diseases Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of the head and neck, or lack of movement (END). Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease. Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of the head and neck, or lack of movement can be a sign of END. Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of the head and neck, or lack of movement can be a sign of END.

15. Report Sick Birds

16. Diagnostic Laboratories 5 laboratories statewide Raleigh, Monroe, Rose Hill, Elkin, Arden Perform necropsies on all species of animals Bacteriology, Serology, Virus detection, Histopathology, Toxicology

17. Avian Influenza Highly transmissible viral disease Infects a wide variety of wild and domestic birds Worldwide distribution 15 hemagglutinin and 9 neuraminidase subtypes Clinical signs and lesions variable

19. Avian Influenza Virus is present in respiratory secretions and fecal material AI viruses are readily carried by people and equipment Waterfowl are reservoirs Live bird markets of the northeast are an important source of infection

20. Live Bird Markets Provide consumer opportunity to select live birds for consumption Birds typically killed and dressed at market Primarily chickens sold, but also turkeys, ducks, quail, mammals, etc. Various AI’s isolated since 1986 H7 predominate subtype since 1994

22. Avian Influenza Outbreaks Southeast Asia Human disease Netherlands (2003), Canada (2004) United States 2002: NC, VA, WV 2003: CT 2004: DE, MD, TX, PA, NJ

23. Economic Impact of AI Mortality Depopulation and disposal Lost production Cleaning and disinfection Interstate movement restrictions Trade restrictions

24. Summary Disease threat is ever present Biosecurity important in maintaining the health of your flock Farm dedicated clothing Report sick birds promptly