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Biosecurity Tips for Flock Owners

  • Restrict access to your property and your birds
  • Consider a “buffer zone” or barrier zone - an area between your birds and the rest of the property
  • Only allow those that care for your birds to come in contact with your birds
  • Restrict access of wild birds to your flock
  • Have clean shoes and clean clothes when entering your flock. We recommend that you designate a pair of clothes and shoes to only be worn when in contact with the flock.
  • When cleaning shoes, make sure to scrub off all of manure and use disinfectant to thoroughly clean the shoes
  • Clean cages and change food and water daily
  • Clean and disinfect equipment, tools and cages that come in contact with other birds or bird droppings. Remove manure before disinfecting.
  • Properly dispose of dead birds
  • Clean and disinfect car and truck tires after driving to places where birds or bird owners have been before returning home
  • Isolate the birds that have been taken to a fair or exhibition from your flock for at least 10-14 days after the event. Keep the birds in a separate location (different fenced area or garage/barn) and monitor them for signs of illness. Only return the birds to the flock if they do not show signs of illness.
  • Isolate new birds from your flock for at least two weeks
  • Avoid mixing young birds with older birds, if possible
  • Avoid sharing birds, lawn or garden equipment, tools or poultry supplies with friends or neighbors
  • If you do share or borrow equipment, make sure to clean and disinfect the equipment before you bring it to your own property
  • Never share wooden pallets or cardboard egg cartons
  • Know what a sick bird looks like. Here are a few signs of illness to watch for in your birds:
    • A sudden increase in bird deaths
    • Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and nasal discharge
    • Watery or green diarrhea
    • Lack of energy and poor appetite
    • Drop in egg production, or soft/thin shelled misshapen eggs
    • Swelling around the eyes, neck, and head
    • Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs
    • Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of the head and neck, or lack of movement
  • Report dead birds:
    • If your birds are sick or dying, please call the Colorado Help Line at:
      1(877) 462-2911