Biosecurity is a major element for the success of any poultry farming business.
Biosecurity is implemented on farms to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful pathogens/ organisms. Service technicians, visitors, wild animals, pets and field trucks are a source of, and can spread diseases on the farm. A biosecurity checkpoint when entering the poultry farm is ideal and all visitors should make a stop here prior to entering poultry houses.
Biosecurity measures
An important step in minimizing spread of disease is limiting contact between visitors and the farm premises. This can be achieved by acquiring boot covers before visitors enter the farm . The boot covers also protects the visitors from carrying harmful pathogens off the farm.
If the visitor is driving into the farm, the tyres of the vehicle should be disinfected with a broad spectrum disinfectant but if the tyres are dirty and muddy, it is better that the car remains at the check point because dirty surfaces cant be disinfected.
Regardless of driving/ walking to the farm, it is important that visitors put on personal protective equipments like boot covers, coveralls, helmets, gloves and dust masks.
Before entering the poultry pen, the visitor should step into the foot bath containing a disinfectant. When visitors are leaving the poultry farm, their protective equipments should be removed to prevent them from carrying diseases from the farm to other places/ farms.
