If at first you don't suceed, try try again

 We have had some challenges this year with high path avian flu (HPAI).  In fact some farms have broken twice in the past five years with the flu.  Working with the USDA and state agencies, we must research on ways we can see how this disease is infiltrating farms.  A pathway to looking at separating the egg industry from the poultry meat industry in trade talks may help pave the way to vaccination programs for older flocks such as layers that need protection.  Time will tell.  In the meantime everyone is responsible for good biosecurity, and keeping HPAI at bay.

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.

Keeping your eye on the ball

 
It is important to stay ahead of the curve

2022 Looks to be a challenging year for poultry producers worldwide.  High Path avian flu has hit North America and has challenged producers and backyard enthusiasts alike.  Millions of birds were lost and hundreds if not thousands of lives of those working with poultry have been affected.  As with COVID in humans, a quick response to hold outbreaks of HPAI in the US at bay will depend on both sheer luck and everyone's attention to detail as it pertains to biosecurity.

 Biosecurity is more an attitude than a practice.  The principles have been explained by many, but it takes all doing their part to make it happen.  Make each poultry farm a compartmentalized entity while the migration is still being undertaken and hopefully we will come out of this year with more birds alive than dead.  Small efforts have big results.  Be sure to have a biosecurity plan made for your farm.  Be ahead of the curve.  (photo:collegian.psu.edu)

 

Drinker alignment as a part of leak proof strategy

 Keeping things in alignment counts to a dry floor

click to see larger drawing

 

 

I was recently in a house when I noticed wet spots under the nipple lines.  The lines were twisted in one section causing them to drip.  As birds hit and roosted on the lines the nipples were more prone to dripping.  This can lead to foot problems as well as provide moisture for fly breeding.  The ball seal in a nipple drinker depends on gravity.  Without proper alignment the seal can be broken, and the drinker could leak.  Keeping the nipple drinkers properly adjusted to the height of the bird, at proper pressure and in vertical position will help keep nipple drinkers from dripping.