Biosecurity and housing requirements for chicken and turkey keepers

AVIAN INFLUENZA PREVENTION ZONE

Essential biosecurity and housing requirements for chicken and turkey keepers:

• Keep your chickens and turkeys housed. If you do not have a purpose-built building you could use a garden shed, garage or polytunnel provided there is adequate light and ventilation.
• If there are any gaps in your poultry housing where wild birds could get in, block them or cover with netting.
• If it is impossible for you to house your birds you must keep them separate from wild birds in a totally netted enclosure. Feed and water must be indoors.
• Do not keep your birds in the same buildings or enclosures as ducks or geese.
• Make your premises unattractive to wild birds. Use bird scarers, foils or streamers.
• Store bedding inside to reduce the risk of contamination.
• Clean and disinfect footwear before and after tending to your birds. If you own more than 50 birds, place foot dips containing government approved disinfectant at all entry and exit points. Ensure disinfectant is at the correct concentration.
• Clean and disinfect hard surfaces regularly.
• Clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles to avoid disease spread between premises.
• Minimise the movement of people, vehicles and equipment to and from bird areas and keep records of movements.
• Keep records of poultry, captive bird and egg movements.
• Maintain buildings that house birds to prevent water ingress.
• Ensure pest control is effective.

Non-compliance with these biosecurity measures may be an offence. Read full details of the housing measures and biosecurity requirements at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai