APHA expert identifies the crucial steps to take before colder weather returns
Poultry farmers are well aware that the threat of Avian Influenza will return with the colder weather – but there is plenty that can be done beforehand to prepare and minimise the impact.
Poultry Network reports on the Poultry Health and Welfare Group Conference, where Head of Intervention Epidemiology at the APHA, Andy Paterson, recently reviewed issues that APHA had uncovered on farms hit by AI in the most recent outbreak. Here are the main points that will help poultry farmers prepare for next winter:
One single bird dropping is potent
“There is a very small infectious dose for this virus – one single bird dropping has thousands of infectious doses,” according to Paterson. An infection can enter a shed through a single small hole in the roof or floor and spread like wildfire.
This makes it too challenging to keep the areas around buildings infection-free, so Paterson recommends focussing on protection of the poultry shed itself.
Biosecurity is crucial
Poultry farmers do not need reminding of the importance of good biosecurity at the entrance to sheds. However, many of the outbreaks last year were associated with non-routine events like staff absences, or relief managers not being sufficiently aware. Paterson recommends that:
It should be difficult to enter a shed without changing into clean, dedicated clothing and disinfected footwear, colour-coded for each area so as to be obvious.
A culture of biosecurity should be instituted, so that everyone from Directors down understands that biosecurity is as fundamental as Health & Safety.
Maximise building integrity
Disease can enter buildings through other carriers - rainwater, wild birds and rodents can all potentially carry AI and other diseases into sheds. Paterson said it had been possible to trace an infection that had entered a shed from a small hole in a ceiling and spread rapidly through a flock. This means it is important to identify and repair any entry points as quickly as possible:
Use mesh or wire wool to close any gaps that birds or rodents may use to enter the sheds
Check roofing for holes, as even small holes can allow water ingress
Remove moss which can attract wild birds to the roof, encouraging droppings which then run off in rainwater and may enter the shed.
Open bodies of water can also be vectors of disease, and should be netted where possible to avoid attracting wild birds.
Keep good records
Good record-keeping allows poultry farmers to identify and manage health challenges to their flock at an early stage, but is also essential if there is an outbreak of AI.
Peterson revealed that many hours were spent transcribing often illegible or incomplete visitor sheets during the last outbreak of AI, demonstrating that electronic records are more reliable. They can also be shared more quickly, allowing the clear tracing of bird, feed and people movements which can help to limit outbreaks.
Maximising protection from AI
Clearly, avian influenza will be a recurrent threat to poultry farmers - but APHA did find many clusters of cases last year and could not rule out that these were caused by a lack of attention to this sort of detail. As Poultry Network points out, it is wise for poultry farmers to take preventative steps before the winter brings a greater risk of AI in the UK.
If you would like advice on record-keeping or managing changes in your flock from our team of local Poultry Specialists, contact us by email on enquiries@hfandp.co.uk or call us on 01962 764555.
