Practice good biosecurity

Prevent disease introduction by quarantining new animals for 2-4 weeks before adding them to your existing flock or herd. Limit visitor contact with your animals, clean equipment between uses, control rodents and wild bird access, and wash hands before and after handling.

Why It Works

Most infectious diseases enter backyard flocks through new animals, contaminated equipment, or wild bird contact. A quarantine period allows symptoms of common diseases (Marek's, coccidiosis, respiratory infections) to appear before the new animal can spread them.

Tips

• Dedicate separate boots and clothing for your animal area
• Never share equipment with other animal keepers without disinfecting first
• Control rodent access to feed storage — rodents carry salmonella and leptospirosis