If you raise chickens in your backyard as a hobby then you may not think biosecurity applies to you. However, with the recent outbreaks of avian influenza, now is the perfect time to look at your backyard flock and see what you can do to protect them.
Biosecurity is defined as "procedures intended to protect humans or animals against disease or harmful biological agents". What it means is doing everything in your control to keep your flock happy and healthy, by potentially stopping the spread of disease before it even starts.
Maybe the word "biosecurity" seems a bit... daunting. We get that. It does sound like something only large scale operations would consider. Why then would you need to follow biosecurity practices if you only have, let's say, three hens in your backyard? The reason is because every bird can get sick.
Let me repeat that- every bird can get sick.
Did you know that strains of avian influenza can be transmitted by migratory waterfowl? Other poultry? Other farms? Or even beetles and pests?
Diseases can be transmitted to your backyard, whether you like it or not. That's why it's best to take safety precautions now to lower your birds' risk of catching the flu or any other contagious disease just waiting to get at your flock.
Following the steps listed below will keep your hobby farm biosecure and help prevent the transmission of disease to your flock:
For more information check out our page on biosecurity. You may be thinking that this is all a big inconvenience. However, taking precautions now is much better than losing your flock down the line to a disease that could have been prevented. Take care of your flock today and make sure your backyard is biosecure.
Mosquito season is here. We've had a wet spring and mosquitoes are thriving. And these pests are more than annoying.
They're a threat to farms everywhere. They carry disease. They annoy animals. They even affect your livestock operation's bottom line.
In this article, you'll learn about mosquitoes, the harm they cause, and ways to control them on your farm.
Many of us in the United States are bracing ourselves for record cold temperatures this week.
Small animal owners are warned to keep their pets indoors during subzero temperatures, but severe wind and cold present different challenges for livestock owners. You can't fit your cattle or horses in the living room to hang out on the couch and wait out the winter storm with you.
Hog producers around the globe are on high alert following the recent outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in China. Here in the United States, you need to know how this disease affects you and your pigs.
Take action now to educate yourself on African Swine Fever. Here is everything you need to know about ASF.
Caitlyn Andrews
Author