Practice Good Biosecurity

Establish a biosecurity perimeter around your turkey area by restricting visitor access, disinfecting footwear and equipment, and quarantining all new birds for at least 30 days. Most poultry diseases enter a flock through contaminated shoes, clothing, equipment, or newly purchased birds.

Why It Works

Pathogens like avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, and Mycoplasma species travel on fomites — contaminated surfaces, clothing, and equipment. A structured biosecurity protocol creates physical and chemical barriers that interrupt these transmission routes. The 30-day quarantine exceeds incubation time for most common turkey diseases, allowing symptoms to appear before exposure to the main flock.

Tips

• Keep dedicated boots and clothing for the turkey area and never wear them near other poultry
• Disinfect shared tools and equipment with a poultry-approved disinfectant (e.g., Virkon S) between uses
• Prevent wild bird access to feed and water sources, as waterfowl are major carriers of avian influenza