POULTRY

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Protect your backyard chickens from disease by following proper safety precautions

If you’re thinking about starting your own backyard flock of chickens – or if you recently have – you’re not alone. As homesteading gains popularity nationwide, more consumers are producing their own food. Chickens can provide an excellent source of protein without requiring a large amount of land.

Self-Sustaining Safely

“There has been an increasing desire to be more self-supporting and sustainable. One way to do this is to have your own source of fresh eggs and meat,” says Dr. Samantha Beaty, Tennessee state veterinarian. “Some owners want an organic product, so personal ownership allows them more control over how their birds are managed or they enjoy keeping poultry as pets.”

Before making the leap into raising chickens, it’s important to learn about food safety precautions and biosecurity, which refers to the measures aimed at preventing the spread of disease. For starters, baby chicks need an appropriate housing environment to prevent illness and death. Before buying chickens, research your local ordinances to see if they are allowed in your area, and find out how many birds you’re allowed to keep on your property.

“As with any new animal, people should research necessary feeding, housing and living requirements for chickens,” says Jamie McClellan, animal health technician for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. “Although chickens can be family-friendly, they can also spread diseases, even to humans, if they are not properly managed. It is ideal to limit the number of people handling the chickens or eggs, and make sure to always thoroughly wash hands after handling.”

Resources are available to learn

more about biosecurity. “USDA’s Defend the Flock program is an excellent resource for poultry owners, providing information on the best biosecurity practices to protect the health of your birds,” Beaty says.

Protecting People and Poultry

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tract of poultry, and cases have been rising among backyard poultry flocks. While salmonella does not usually make chickens sick, it can make humans very ill. Poultry owners must understand the risks and practice proper handling techniques to keep their families safe.

“In live birds, salmonella is not always obvious, so poultry owners should consider any poultry or poultry product to be a source of salmonella,” Beaty explains. “Wash hands frequently and wear dedicated shoes and clothing that are only worn when handling the birds. Owners should not wear them indoors or around other birds.”

Cooking poultry products thoroughly and keeping kitchen surfaces and counters clean is imperative to keep salmonella at bay. Poultry litter can also be a source of salmonella since birds may transmit disease in feces.

“I cannot stress the importance of biosecurity for birds and owners enough,” Beaty says. “Always wash hands after handling live birds, litter and poultry products. Do not kiss or hold birds near your face.”

Sourcing Healthy Stock

It’s also important to purchase birds from sellers who can provide proof their flock is free of diseases and parasites. Responsible producers are certified by the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), a voluntary state and federal cooperative testing and certification program for poultry owners and breeders. NPIP certification ensures a flock has been tested and found free of infectious diseases including pullorum-typhoid and avian influenza. The cost is $40 annually.

However, Beaty notes that more common diseases such as mycoplasma, coccidia and Marek’s disease are not included by NPIP certification. Still, it is beneficial for new chicken owners to become NPIP certified as one way of protecting their flock, no matter the size.

“Participation in the program grants access to animal health technicians, which is a good resource for poultry owners who have questions and concerns of illness within their flock,” McClellan says.

– Jessica Mozo

Find more online

For more information, visit tn.gov/ agriculture, aphis.usda.gov/

animalhealth/defendtheflock

or poultryimprovement.org.