by Katie Martin, UT Extension Agent
As backyard poultry flocks continue to increase in popularity and Avian Influenza continues to be a threat, good biosecurity practices are essential. Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious viral disease. As of November 29th, 399 commercial flocks and 574 backyard flocks totaling 67.79 million birds have been affected since the most recent avian influenza outbreak started in 2021.
Warning signs of Avian Influenza include sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, twisted neck, decreased feed and water intake, lethargy, and increased mortality. If your birds are showing symptoms, don’t wait to get help. Contact us at the extension office, your local veterinarian, or our State Veterinarian at the Tennessee Department of Ag.
Six basic biosecurity steps to remember include keep your distance, keep it clean, don’t haul disease home, don’t borrow disease from your neighbor, know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases, and report sick birds. Keep your distance by restricting access to your birds. Keep it clean by properly cleaning and disinfecting not only equipment that comes in contact with the birds but your hands and shoes as well. Don’t haul disease home by taking precautions when you have been near other birds and bird owners and keeping birds that have been to a fair or show separate for at least two weeks after the event. Don’t borrow disease from your neighbor by refraining from sharing lawn and garden tools as well as poultry supplies. Know the previously mentioned warning signs of sick birds and report sick or dying birds.
Backyard flocks that are free-range or have open roofs are particularly at risk. Ideally, birds should be kept in pens that are covered with roofs or tarps to prevent exposure to wild bird feces as the avian influenza virus is in the manure of wild waterfowl. Also, keep poultry away from any pond or other water source that wild waterfowl may visit. Backyard flock owners should quarantine and isolate any new or sick birds from their other birds for thirty days. Do not allow unnecessary visitors near your birds and, if you visit an area where there are waterfowl or other poultry, do not visit your birds until you change shoes/clothes, take a shower and wash your hands. Keep hand sanitizer at the coop and use it before and after visiting your birds.
Since Avian Influenza has no cure, biosecurity practices are the best option to keep birds healthy and mitigate the spread of disease. By being intentional about basic biosecurity steps, you can greatly lower your flock’s risk of becoming infected with Avian Influenza or other communicable diseases.
For further information about Avian Influenza or any other agriculture topic, please visit our website at smith.tennessee.edu or call our office at 615-735-2900.
