Not Out of the Woods Yet

 HPAI is a summer threat now; data is backing this up

Photo by Negative Space from Freerange Stock

 

For most diseases, dry hot weather helps suppress the incidence seen in the field.  Fall and spring wild bird migration has shown patterns that depress outbreaks in summer as seen in the reports from USDA.  However, this year with the jump to cattle, continuing cases in poultry and resulting infection in humans we have to assume that HPAI is now part of the environmental background, and all who care for poultry need to pay heed and practice good biosecurity year-round.  Feet and Hands are the areas we need to pay attention to as this is the most common way of passing things forward (Fomites).  Washable footwear and designated clothing for the farm/house will go a long way to help keep virus out of the house.  It is the little things that add up to big results when dealing with disease.  Do your part to keep you and your neighbors safe.

Be sure to follow through to stay alive this fall

 

Halfway is not the best outcome.

 As we hear migrating waterfowl overhead it is a sound reminder that there is always pressures from the outside world that can intrude to your farm.  Wild birds that share feeder and watering equipment or floorspace in your housing is something you can not afford to allow.  Only disinfecting the bottom of your boots instead of the entire shoe means that bacteria and viruses can make it into your pens.  Making sure you do the right thing all the time is best since it is the right thing to do.  Do your best to keep your poultry safe.

The Boomerang Effect

 

Staying Ahead of the Curve

After a spring of dealing with HPAI in the US, many states are returning to normal operations.  While this may seem logical, a new sense of  wonder is starting to be discussed.  What is it going to be like in the fall when waterfowl will be returning on their migration south?

 The answer is "it all depends"...  Farms that have prepared for high levels of biosecurity in the fall should weather the storm ahead.  Take the time to look at the farm and tighten up those loose ends that could help reduce HPAI exposure.  This would include setting exclusion lines over rain retention ponds and wastewater lagoons to prevent waterfowl from landing.  Continue to check and repair netting in rafters and inlets to reduce any access by wild birds into the house.  Mow grass near the housing to prevent rodents from getting too close.  And, fix leaky feed bin boots that spill feed drawing wild birds to a house.

Review your Farm Biosecurity plans for people and vehicle movement onto the farm.  This could include building a package drop hut at the farm lane or a danish entry point in the entrance to a poultry house.  Adding on now while it is warm is better than building in the middle of winter.  By keeping ahead of migration you may be able to bypass any major disease from coming onto your farm.