Winter biosecurity tips and tricks for your flock
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EmailWinter weather can make practicing biosecurity more challenging; here are some practical ways to continue protecting your flock.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to be a concern in Michigan poultry flocks, making it important for bird owners to continue to practice good biosecurity and remain vigilant in monitoring their birds’ health. Michigan’s winter weather can make basic biosecurity practices more challenging, however the practices are important to follow. This article will focus on a few tips that can help chicken owners continue to practice good biosecurity to protect their flocks.
HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can be spread directly by infected wild birds/animals or indirectly through items that have come into contact with the virus such as equipment, vehicles, feed and the clothing and shoes of animal caretakers. Biosecurity practices can help reduce the risk of exposure and infection. Michigan State University Extension suggests the following on-farm practices:
Eliminate points of cross-contamination between wildlife and domestic birds
- Make sure that food sources are secure from wildlife looking for an easy meal. Putting feed in sealed containers can help to reduce feed sources being a point of cross-contamination.
- Remove any feeders or water sources that are outside.
- Secure the coop so that wildlife cannot gain access to the inside while ensuring that there is still good ventilation.
Clean and disinfect equipment
- Invest in two sets of waterers. Battling frozen water is common in the Michigan winter temperatures. Chicken owners can capitalize on frozen water by having a stand-by waterer available and while rotating non-frozen and frozen waterers, take the opportunity to clean and disinfect the waterer not in use.
- Colder temperatures may be a hindrance to cleaning and disinfecting items using a hose and scrub brush as you might during the months when temperatures are above freezing. Using premoistened, disposable water wipes can help you clean surfaces, remove all organic material, and then use a spray bottle with a bleach solution to disinfect the surface. Always allow items to dry thoroughly before use.
Have dedicated clothing for working with animals
- Identify one set of winter outerwear including a coat, winter coveralls/bibs, hat, pair of gloves or mittens and boots that you will exclusively use while working with animals. Store those items together, away from other clothing and shoes that are worn away from your home.
- Launder outerwear such as coats, coveralls/bibs, hats and gloves/mittens regularly and dry on high in a dryer
Monitor birds for illness
- Monitor the flock for signs of illness such as poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, nasal discharge and coughing. Detecting illness early and separating affected animals can help stop illness from quickly spreading through the coop.
Michigan winters can increase the level of challenge in keeping animals. It is still important to practice good biosecurity to reduce the occurrence of illness.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) notes that HPAI is not evidenced by one bird showing symptoms or dying while the remaining flock continues acting normally. Small flock and backyard poultry owners should take notice when two or more birds die within a 24-hour period and the rest of the flock is exhibiting symptoms of HPAI. Bird owners should contact MDARD if they suspect an HPAI infection in birds at 1-800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).
If unusual or unexplained wild birds deaths are noticed, cases should be reported to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by using the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app, choose the “Diseased Wildlife” option in the “Observation Forms,” or by calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.
Properly prepared and cooked poultry products remain safe to consume. The chance of infected poultry or egg products entering the food chain is extremely low due to the rapid onset of symptoms of HPAI and the USDA flock monitoring and inspection safeguards that are in place.
