No bird flu: protect your farm!

Protecting our farms from infectious diseases starts with awareness and prevention. With the EU-wide campaign #NoBirdFlu, we are providing essential information on farm biosecurity to help prevent the introduction and stop the spread of avian influenza. Whether you work on a farm, care for a backyard flock, or visit farms as part of your job, following a few key steps can make a big difference in protecting animal health.

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Keep bird flu out

Access Control

People, vehicles, and equipment should only enter farms when absolutely necessary. Apply disinfection measures thoroughly to anyone or anything entering a farm, especially after recent contact with poultry, poultry waste, or wild birds. Even small traces of contamination can transfer germs from one place to another, so it is important to disinfect people, vehicles, tools and crates when moving between farms.

Always wear clean clothes and wash your hands and footwear when entering a farm. Use disinfectant footbaths at the entrance or wear clean disposable overshoes. If possible, keep dedicated clothing only for farm work to prevent contamination.

All-in, all-out

This approach means that all birds of the same age are brought in together and removed together at the end of the production cycle. This not only improves production efficiency but reduces the number of visits to the farm, lowering the risk of disease entering the flock.

If you have a backyard farm and are unable to follow the all-in all-out approach, it is important to quarantine any new animals before mixing them with the rest of the flock. This helps to make sure they’re healthy and don’t introduce any diseases. When bringing new birds or hatching eggs to a farm, check their health documents first.

Full clean-out

After each production cycle, clean and disinfect all facilities, equipment, and housing areas thoroughly. Regular cleaning and disinfection are essential for high biosecurity. Clearly separate “clean” (in contact with animals) and “dirty” (in contact with external areas) sections of the farm. Remove all waste and sanitise the environment to protect the next group of birds.

Safe Shelter

Ensure drainage systems work properly, rodent control is in place, and insulation and ventilation systems are well-maintained. A clean, secure environment not only improves animal welfare but also reduces the chance of possible animal diseases entering the farm.

Waste handling

Dispose of manure, leftover feed, and dead birds promptly and safely to prevent wild animals or pests from spreading diseases.

Feed and water

Provide clean water and uncontaminated feed. Avoid feed that has been exposed to dirt, droppings, or moisture. Water should not be obtained from open water supplies; only use water from clean sources.

Know the risks

When everyone—from daily staff to occasional visitors—understands the risks and follows the correct procedures, they protect the whole farm. To make these rules easy to follow, use signs, physical barriers, or color-coded zones that clearly separate “clean” areas (with direct contact with animals) from “dirty” areas (exposed to the outside). These reminders guide staff and visitors to follow the proper steps, like changing clothes or washing hands when moving between zones.

No room for wild birds

Wild birds and other animals can carry diseases onto farms. Always store feed in closed or waterproof containers and bedding in closed or covered areas to avoid contamination. Avoid moving feed between different flocks, and make sure there’s no standing water around the farm, as this can attract wild birds.

Install solid roofs, sealed walls, and tight fencing in poultry housing. Outdoor housing for birds should be protected with netting or wire enclosures of an adequate mesh to keep wild birds out. Make sure that any grass or other vegetation near the fences is kept neat and short to prevent wet areas and foraging of wild birds. Regular inspections are essential to check for holes or gaps in barriers. Using scare devices or deterrents can also help discourage wild birds from approaching the farm area.

One species, one space

House separately

Different types of poultry—like chickens, ducks, and turkeys—should be kept apart from each other. This is because mixing species increases the risk of disease spreading and diseases can spread unnoticed in certain species. Other animals, including pets or livestock, should also be kept away from poultry.

Spot the signs, act quickly

Spot it to stop it

If you notice anything unusual— a decrease in food or water intake, sudden deaths in the flock, breathing difficulties, strange behaviour, or other signs of disease—report it immediately. The sooner action is taken, the better the chance of stopping a serious outbreak and protecting you and other flocks nearby. This is especially true if you suspect avian influenza or find dead wild birds or mammals in or near your farm.

Don’t wait or guess, contact your veterinarian or local animal health authorities as soon as possible.

And don’t forget that avian influenza can spread to people as well. Avoid contact with potentially infected animals or handle them with protective equipment in line with good hygiene practices.

Biosecurity is not complex, but it is essential and requires rigorous, continuous and consistent application. Simple actions can go a long way in stopping animal diseases before they spread.

Be a biosecurity champion! This toolkit includes infographics, posters, stickers and ready to use social media posts, whether you’re a farmer, you care for a backyard flock, you’re a veterinarian or you visit farms for work. Feel free to use these materials to improve biosecurity and help prevent the spread of avian influenza and protect animal health.