Section 2. Prevention

Setup

• Poultry housing should be away from public roads.
• Avoid setting up near ponds or stagnant water sources as they attract wild birds. Housing area should also drain well.
  
• Houses or pens should have a solid roof and sides to prevent contact with infected wild birds or their droppings.
• If your birds are outside, try to keep them in a screened area. Consider placing a tarp or mesh netting over the fence to protect your poultry from wild birds and the elements.
  
• Food and water should be provided only in the covered area.
• Limit the amount of free standing food that may attract wild animals and keep stored food covered.
• A fence with locks should be set up around the housing as another barrier.
• Ensure birds have adequate space, light, and ventilation.

• Different species and ages should be kept separate if possible as certain diseases may be more aggressive in one group.
  
• Avoid introducing new birds to your old flock. Depending on your flock size, “All In - All Out” is a good approach to prevent disease. This means that one flock is brought in and no more birds are added until that flock is taken out.
• When purchasing new birds, ensure they are from a reputable seller who participates in the USDA's National Poultry Improvement Plan. This ensures birds are free of avian influenza and other devastating diseases.
• If new birds are introduced, they should be isolated in quarantine for 30 days before being added to the rest of the flock.
• Sick birds should be isolated in quarantine for 30 days as virus can be shed for up to four weeks after infection.
• Avoid live bird markets.

• Practice rodent and insect control, such as mouse traps, baits, and insecticides, as these pests can carry viruses. They may also transmit other diseases in their feces or bites.
• Line gravel around the outside of the poultry house and keep the grass short to discourage rodents from nesting.