Protect backyard flocks from avian influenza

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new outbreaks of avian influenza (flu) have been detected in U.S. aquatic birds, commercial poultry and backyard flocks since January. Although avian influenza is not a threat to human health or food safety in Georgia, avian flu presents a risk to all poultry operations, from hobbyist flocks to the state's $22.8 billion commercial industry.

The key to preventing the spread of the disease is biosecurity.

Often heard but frequently misunderstood, biosecurity refers to a set of practices that all poultry owners should know and implement to protect their poultry flocks from disease.

Birds that are raised under pastured or free-range management systems need added attention due to birds’ increased exposure to environmental disease sources. Symptoms of avian flu can be found at preventai.uga.edu.

 

Biosecurity is the practice of minimizing the spread of disease into a flock of birds or, in the event of disease occurrence, preventing the spread of disease-causing organisms off the premises. This is accomplished through practical, common-sense prevention measures.

 

Of all the possible breakdowns in biosecurity, the introduction of new birds into an existing flock and contaminated foot traffic pose the greatest risks to bird health. Properly managing these two factors should be a top priority for poultry owners.