Biosecurity measures on poultry farms

Biosecurity is the major factor to have poultry health and a good poultry production and it is the most cost-effective means of disease control management .
Biosecurity is ensured on a poultry farm by implementing a set of organizational and technical measures in order to prevent the introduction, persistence and spread of pathogens, as well as in order to protect animal and public health.
The key objectives of a biosecurity plan for a poultry farm:

1. preventing the penetration of pathogens (exclusion of pathogens or external biosecurity)
2. reducing the penetration / spread of pathogens already existing among animals (biomanagement or internal biosecurity).
3. preventing the penetration / spread of pathogens existing in the farm to other non-infected farms / animals (e.g. biocontamination).
4. minimizing the incidence and spread of pathogens that impact the health of the population (zoonotic infections).

The biosecurity measures are as follows:

I. Defining biosecurity zone (the farm perimeter)
II. Functional sanitary filter for the employees, visitors, vehicles and all other entries
III. Visitor guidelines to be properly mentioned outside and inside the farm.
IV. Maintenance of the facilities used for housing, feeding and watering animals
V. Feed supply
VI. Transporting live animals to and from the farm
VII. Code of good practice and good hygiene practice (training of the employees)
VIII. Practice the technological principle “all full, all empty” at the hall level