Biosecurity Principles
In agriculture, the term biosecurity encompasses all the procedures and management practices used that prevent disease causing germs from entering or leaving your farm or contacting your animals. Practicing good biosecurity at the farm level is the single most important factor in keeping your birds healthy.
The fact sheets that are linked to this page (on the right) outline 7 important principles of biosecurity. Remember, that disease causing agents have to enter your barn in order to infect your birds. A well designed biosecurity program should include: procedures to control who and what might enter your barn (people, wildlife and other critters); regular scheduled clean out and disinfection of animal holding facilities; proper handling and disposal of manure and dead stock; well-designed quarantine facilities; purchase of disease-free birds from a reputable source; an effective flock health program; and a carefully thought out emergency response plan.
The principles of biosecurity are explained in greater detail in the fact sheets linked to this page. Remember that control and prevention of disease is complex. All of the principles that are listed here are important for a comprehensive biosecurity program. Implementing one without considering the others leaves holes in your biosecurity program. Disease causing organisms will find there way into your barn through the weakest link. Read through these basic principles and consider them carefully as you design a biosecurity program for your farm.
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