Poultry biosecurity

Wild birds can carry avian influenza even when they look healthy. To reduce the risk of them spreading any strain of avian influenza to your birds:

• Use netting or housing to keep your poultry away from wild birds
• Keep food and water under cover where wild birds cannot access them.
• Clean and disinfect food and water containers, equipment and the poultry house regularly.
• Use treated water sources for your poultry’s drinking water. Surface water such as from dams and lakes can be contaminated by wild birds.
• Prevent wild birds nesting or roosting on the poultry house.

• Limit visitors to your birds. People can spread diseases to your poultry on their clothing, shoes, skin and equipment. Discourage visits from people who also own poultry or other birds.
• Use signs near the poultry enclosure to warn visitors not to enter without owner permission.
• Ensure all visitors to your birds have clean clothes and shoes and have washed their hands before having contact with your birds. You can also offer essential visitors clean boots and overalls to wear while on your property.
• Do not allow visitors to enter if they have had recent contact with sick birds.
• Similarly, avoid visiting other poultry farms or backyard poultry, and ensure you clean vehicles, clothing, shoes and shower before visiting your poultry again.
• Farm workers should not have poultry on their home property if they have contact with your poultry.
• It is recommended that people working with poultry have the annual influenza vaccination.
• Always wash your hands after handling poultry or eggs.
• Keep a visitors register that includes the contact details of visitors to your birds.
• Visitors should park in a visitor parking area, and not drive over areas where poultry may roam.
• Do not share equipment with other bird owners unless it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected first.

• Only buy healthy poultry from reputable sources and check the flock history. Ask the seller for written details of their vaccinations and medications.
• Isolate new poultry and poultry returning from events for 30 days.
• Monitor new and returning poultry for signs of disease.
• Isolate sick poultry and call a veterinarian if multiple birds are affected or die.
• Care for sick poultry last after you have fed and watered the rest of your flock and ensure you wash hands, shower and change clothes and boots before having contact with your healthy birds.