For Biosecurity, Keep Doors Closed
By Sean Clougherty, Delmarva Farmer, November 3, 2023
Leaving end doors open between flocks only invites curious wildlife, and whatever pathogens that may be carrying with them into the house, poultry specialists say. “It’s become less common but we’re still seeing it a lot,” said Jon Moyle, Extension poultry specialist for the University of Maryland.
Jon Moyle, Extension Poultry Specialist for the University of Maryland, shares a photo during recent presentations at poultry meetings. It’s a picturesque, well-kept poultry farm in front of the evening colors of the setting sun.
But there’s one problem: All the houses’ end doors are open.
Left unattended, when houses are between flocks, Moyle said the open doors invite curious wildlife, and whatever pathogens they may be carrying, into the house.
Moyle said he’s seen wildlife such as raccoons, vultures and eagles, walk into houses through unattended open end doors. “It’s become less common but we’re still seeing it a lot,” he said. “With biosecurity so high, you want to do everything you can to prevent anything from coming in that shouldn’t be.”
The issue has come up a few times in recent presentations from specialists who all say the better option is to keep the doors closed and run minimum ventilation to remove excess ammonia, and some moisture, but most importantly, keep wildlife out.
Moyle said the practice of leaving the doors open goes back to a time when sidewall curtains were widely used in housing and after birds were taken out, growers dropped the curtains and opened the doors to “air out the house.”
With curtains phased out, Moyle said the only way to get any benefit from leaving the end doors open would be if the wind blew directly through the house.
“Even then, it’s minimal. They’re better off shutting the doors and running minimum ventilation,” he said.
For longer layouts, Moyle said periodical venting, not running continuous will keep ammonia from building up again after an initial ventilation.
Growers typically ventilate again ahead of setting up houses for the next flock as well, he added.
Moyle added on sunny days, using minimum ventilation with open attic vents to draw in warmer air radiating from the exterior roof can help, too, without the risk of wildlife entering.
Moyle said he’s seen a difference of 40 degrees between roof temperatures and the air at ground level. “It’s a great time for attic vents,” he said.
Electricity use is minimal too, Moyle said, costing a few dollars a day to run what is turned on via minimum ventilation.
“You just need something to keep the air moving,” he said. “I know it’s a pain in the butt, but unless you’re working in there, there’s no reason to have them open.”