Backyard Poultry & Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Keeping Your Flock Safe
go.ncsu.edu/readext?904580
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲As we prepare for the upcoming 4-H poultry shows, we must address the elephant in the room. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a disease that is very detrimental to domestic poultry including ducks, turkeys, and chickens. Wild birds such as waterfowl are also susceptible to HPAI, but they do not see the mortality domestic birds have with this disease. This disease causes mortality in a flock (up to 95%) in a short period of time, so poultry producers and backyard hobbyists should try their best to keep their flocks safe using strict biosecurity measures.
Biosecurity involves putting measures in place to prevent the introduction, or the spread of diseases and other harmful pathogens to animals. Poultry owners, both large and small, should implement a biosecurity plan to protect their flock. Some of the measures you can take to protect your flock include quarantining new birds, preventing contact with wild birds, and preventing foot and vehicle traffic from other farms. If you go to another farm, or go bird hunting, shower and change clothes before interacting with your own flock. To learn more about biosecurity, follow the link below to an article written by one of the North Carolina Area Specialized Poultry Agents.
As we continue through the remainder of the winter until migratory birds return north, here are a few of the clinical signs of HPAI so you can monitor the health of your flock:
- Sudden death without clinical signs;
- Lack of energy and appetite;
- Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs;
- Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles, and hocks;
- Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs;
- Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing;
- Incoordination; or
- Diarrhea
(USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service(APHIS))
The need for biosecurity does not go away when the migratory birds head back to their nesting grounds. Diseases are always present and a producer should always keep biosecurity at the front of their mind.
For 4-H members who are planning to participate in upcoming poultry events, it is important to keep your current flock separate from your 4-H birds you receive for shows and other projects. We do not want to introduce either group of birds to pathogens that could make them sick. House these birds in a separate coop or pen if possible.
USDA APHIS article To learn more about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.