Protecting Your Flocks Health
• Keep unnecessary people off of your farm and out of the poultry houses
o Lock doors
o Use fences and signs to keep people away
• Do not allow visitors in or near the poultry houses
• Growers and employees should keep clothing (including shoes, boots, hat and gloves) separate from those worn off the farm
o It can also be beneficial to have a set of boots for each house that never get outside of the chicken house
• Never visit any other poultry farms
o Employees should not have other poultry at home
• After work, change clothes completely and wash hands and arms before heading home
• Hunters or others who come in contact with wild birds should change clothes (and shoes) and shower before returning to work, this is especially important when coming into contact with waterfowl
• Keep wild birds and pests out of the chicken houses
o Keep end doors shut between flocks
o Have a good rodent and insect control program
o Maintain vegetation and no debris around the houses
o Clean up feed spills
• Essential visitors must wear protective clothing, including boots and headgear, before being allowed near the birds
o Keep some protective clothing on hand for when problems arise
o Have a place to dispose of clothing when visitors leave
• Monitor who comes on the farm
• Clean and disinfect all equipment before it is allowed on the farm and again as it leaves
• Remove and properly dispose of dead birds
o Poor disposal can lead to disease and increase the number of flies and scavengers
• Growers should contact their flock supervisor immediately if high mortality is experienced
o Sick or dying birds should be sent to a state laboratory for diagnosis
o Do not visit other farms or places that growers frequent if experiencing high mortality
For more information, go to https://extension.umd.edu/poultry
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