Poultry Disease Prevention Checklist

Dr Casey Ritz of the University of Georgia presents a checklist for poultry farmers for assess the biosecurity risk on their farm.

4 August 2014

4 minute read

By: Jackie Linden

Disease prevention is much less stressful and costly than disease control and recovery. Biosecurity measures are a critical component of disease prevention.

Use the list below to rate your disease prevention practices and preparedness.

Check the box for all questions to which you can answer “yes”. A score of 80 or better is outstanding, 70 to 79 excellent, 60 to 69 good, 50 to 59 just fair, and 49 or less indicates a definite need for improvement.

Score	A. Score 5 points for each “yes” answer.
	My farm is isolated from other poultry facilities.
	My poultry houses are set back at least 200 feet from public roads.
	Access deterrents are in place such as warning signs at entrances, perimeter fencing or gated driveways.
	My buildings are secured with locks.
	My employees do not own poultry.
	No other avian species are kept on my property.
	I have a pest management programme to control mice, rats and other pests.

Score	B. Score 4 points for each “yes” answer.
	My birds are observed every day for abnormal symptoms and overall flock health.
	I routinely analyze my poultry production, feed consumption, and mortality records for signs of problems.
	Dead birds are picked up daily from the houses for appropriate disposal.
	My farm has secure dead bird disposal, with no access to birds or animals.
	Vehicles or people cannot enter my farm or poultry houses without my permission or knowledge.
	Visitors must park vehicles in a designated area and sign a logbook.

Score	C. Score 3 points for each “yes” answer.
	My poultry housing is animal and wild-bird proof.
	All tools and equipment are cleaned and disinfected before coming on my farm.
	Production houses are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between flocks.
	Production house entryways are routinely cleaned and disinfected.
	Disinfectant footbaths are at each entryway of every facility and are routinely cleaned and recharged.
	Debris and vegetation are cleaned up and kept clear of the production facilities.
	Feed spills are cleaned up quickly when they occur.
	For necessary visitors, I provide clean coveralls and boots.
	My employees do not travel to other poultry premises not under my control.

Score	D. Score 2 points for each “yes” answer.
	All utility and service vehicles entering my farm are properly sanitized before entry and the drivers do not enter the poultry houses.
	Farm employees work only in assigned areas; they do not go to other areas of the farm.
	Dead birds are not carried from house to house.
	Poultry waste from other farms is never spread on the fields adjacent to my farm.
	I have instructed my employees and service personnel about poultry disease and on-farm prevention measures.

Score	E. Score 1 point for each “yes” answer.
	Household pets are kept away from the poultry buildings.
	I have implemented a fly control programme for my farm.
	I follow all company-implemented disease prevention measures on my farm.
	I regularly attend educational programmes to keep abreast of new developments in disease control.
	TOTAL (Perfect score = 100)