Biosecurity Practices
What is Biosecurity?
Biosecurity refers to practices designed to prevent, reduce or eliminate the introduction and spread of disease. Concerns over the spread of animal diseases, are high within the livestock industry. Livestock diseases can affect any type of operation regardless of size. Biosecurity practices tailored to each operation minimize the introduction and/or transmission of disease. Biosecurity plays a vital role in sustainable livestock production. Good biosecurity protects your flock from disease, as well as your neighbours and the sector at large from disease transmission.
What is the Risk?
Practicing good biosecurity reduces the transmission risk of avian diseases, including Avian Influenza (AI). Avian Influenza killed millions of domestic poultry in BC in 2024 and poses significant ongoing risks to the sector including to the wellbeing of your flock, your profitability, neighbouring farms that could become infected, as well as the public’s and trade partners’ trust in BC’s poultry sector. Many of the same biosecurity practices can also help prevent transmission of Marek’s Disease, Newcastle Disease, Mycoplasma, Coccidiosis, and Histomoniasis (blackhead disease).
The Importance of Biosecurity in Disease Prevention
There is no silver bullet solution to prevent disease transmission, but maintaining a range of good biosecurity practices helps prevent both the infection of your flock and others from a variety of harmful diseases. Good biosecurity practices limit the points of contact for disease transmission between species and between farms.
General Best Practices
Familiarize yourself with your flock’s regular behaviour and appearance, as well as common signs of disease. Monitor your flock closely for signs of disease and irregular behaviour/appearance.
Organize your farm into biosecurity zones and disinfect anything entering your Controlled Access Zones (where production and feed storage occurs). Do not allow pets, children, or visitors to track contaminants into Controlled Access Zones.
Limit contamination from other flocks by:
Disinfecting your vehicle when returning from high-risk locations (ex. abattoirs, hatcheries, farmers markets, feed stores).
Avoiding in-person gatherings of poultry producers
Ensuring visitors do not track contaminants to your farm and are following your biosecurity protocols
Prevent contact between your flock, wild birds, and other wildlife.
Disinfect your chicken tractor and brooder between batches of chickens, and quarantine new additions to your flock for 4-6 weeks.
Report suspected cases of AI immediately to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and BC Office of the Chief Veterinarian
Monitor emerging disease threats by staying up to date with the CFIA, BC Office of the Chief Veterinarian, and the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System
Key Biosecurity Practices
Click on each practice for more details:
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Maintain clear separation between public zones of the farm, controlled-access zones that act as a buffer for pathogen spread, and restricted-access zones used for production. There should be signage marking the different zones and stations to wash boots (first scrubbing off visible dirt, then sanitizing with a solution) and change clothes between zones.
Wear clean clothing to check on your pastured flock. Don't track matter from the pasture back to other areas of the farm or other poultry operations.
Ensure that family pets such as dogs and cats are not running around the pasture and coop tracking around pathogens
Give visitors and family members personal protective equipment to wear when they are in contact with your birds.
Define paths where trucks, vehicles, and other equipment can travel to access your poultry area. This will help limit the spread of germs and disease.
Have clear lines of separation between biosecurity zones (including outdoor spaces/pasture) with only one point in the line for entry/exit.
Install a hand and boot washing station (first scrubbing visible dirt off boots, then sanitizing with a solution) at the point of entry, as well as coveralls or a change of clothes available
Controlled Access Zone
Ensure your CAZ barrier is defined and signed
Only allow essential visitors into the CAZ
Consider receiving services requiring farm access outside of your CAZ (e.g. dumpsters, fuel & propane tanks, courier deliveries)
Establish CAZ parking and access areas for essential visitors
Restricted Access Zone
Do not allow any non-essential personnel to enter the RAZ
Train all essential personnel on enhanced biosecurity measures
When entering the RAZ change into designated boots as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as per WorkSafe BC requirements
Designate tools and equipment needed within the RAZ, disinfect them before they enter the RAZ and keep them there.
If equipment must be moved in and out of the RAZ (e.g. tractor, ATV), remove visible organic debris and disinfect tires and contaminated areas with an approved product prior to crossing the demarcation.
When exiting the RAZ leave any designated apparel and equipment on the RAZ side of the CAZ/RAZ demarcation.
Wash and sanitize your hands before entering and after exiting the RAZ.
Each farm must consider its individual needs and unique circumstances when planning biosecurity zones, for example:
Proximity to other chicken farms, processing facilities, transportation routes for poultry
Proximity to wetlands
Proximity to bird migration routes
Farm biosecurity starts with identifying disease transmission risks and taking steps to reduce those risks. This can be a simple, hand-drawn diagram identifying important areas including:
Access points, gates and barriers
Driveways, lanes, walkways, visitor parking area
Brooder and other poultry housing
Pasture areas for poultry
Shipping, receiving and storage areas
Manure and deadstock management areas
Wells, other water sources and riparian areas
Restricted Access Zone (RAZ)
Controlled Access Zone (CAZ)
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Do not share tools, poultry supplies, or lawn and garden equipment with other flock owners or neighbors. If you must, be sure to clean and disinfect the items before they reach your property and before returning them.
Avoid poultry shows, fairs, and backyard flocks. If you need to attend these events, first clean off visible dirt, then sanitize clothes, boots, and your vehicle before and after.
Whenever possible, conduct activities between poultry farmers virtually
Disinfect footwear and equipment after coming into contact with other poultry or after visiting feed and supply stores.
When sourcing feed and litter for your poultry, make sure delivery trailers are covered to prevent contamination of feed, feed ingredients, and fresh litter during transport to the farm.
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Ensure visitors maintain the same biosecurity practices as farmworkers (washing and sanitizing boots and changing clothes when entering and leaving controlled and restricted access zones.
Ensure visitors and children do not kiss or snuggle birds.
Always ask visitors if they’ve been in contact with wild birds or pet birds or if they have their own poultry. If so, they should not go near your flock. Some avian disease agents can survive in a person’s nose, without actually infecting the person.
Maintain a public parking zone for visitors outside the production area of the farm.
Restrict the access of feed trucks, delivery vehicles, processors, and other services to non-production areas of the farm.
Disinfect the undercarriage of the vehicle and the bottoms of the tires when they have come in contact with your flock, another farm, or have attended a farm event with other poultry producers.
Give clear and consistent instructions to everyone who handles your equipment or vehicles.
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Wear clean clothing to feed and work with your flock. Don't track matter from the pasture back to other areas of the farm or other poultry operations.
Give visitors and family members personal protective equipment to wear when they are in contact with your birds (ex. booties, coveralls).
Dedicate a set of clothes and boots for working with your flock, change into these at the entrance of your RAZ.
If in contact with sick or dead birds, wear Personal Protective Equipment:
NIOSH Approved® particulate respirator
Fluid-resistant coveralls
Optional waterproof apron over the top of coveralls
Safety goggles (Optional face shield over the top of goggles and respirator)
Boot covers or boots
Head cover or hair cover
Disposable gloves with optional outer work gloves
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Do environmental tests for pathogens on pastures where you plan to move birds
Move birds often enough to keep the flock on fresh, clean pasture.
Incorporate natural sunlight into the daily living environment in the brooder, winter housing, and pasture.
Plan pasture rotations to avoid areas where there are cool, wet conditions.
Avoid pasturing your birds near the roadway if it is a route used to transport birds from farms to processing facilities.
Keep brooder and winter bedding dry; allow natural sunlight.
Maintain low-stress stocking densities. Based on market age flocks, those spacing requirements are typically 1.5 to 2 sq. ft. for broilers, 4 to 5 sq. ft. per laying hen, 6 to 8 sq. ft. per turkey.
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Managing dead birds
Plan ahead! Include procedures for carcass disposal in your biosecurity plan. You’ll need routine procedures for all dead birds using normal mortality numbers, along with a contingency plan for a large number of deaths.
Collect all bird carcasses as soon as possible, at least once every day.
Store or dispose of carcasses in a way which does not attract wild birds, rodents, insects, or other animals. Collection bins should have tight-fitting lids, and burial pits or compost piles should be covered adequately to deter burrowing scavengers.
It is recommended that dead bird disposal happens off-farm, whenever possible
Visit disposal sites at the end of the day to avoid carrying contaminants back to the farm.
Managing manure - mainly applies to the brooder or temporary indoor poultry housing
Germs that cause poultry diseases can survive in litter and manure for a long time. Transport, store, and dispose of it safely.
Define the scope: What kinds of manure and litter do you need to manage at your site, and how much is produced over a given timeframe?
Set up standard procedures that cover these basics:
Collecting, transporting, storing, and/or using manure
Any provincial or local laws that apply
Environmental concerns
Wildlife, insect, and rodent control
Develop a backup plan for long-term storage in a prolonged outbreak. Spreading or storing manure and litter offsite may not be allowed depending on the risk of virus spread.
Remove all manure and litter from the poultry house and do a complete cleaning and disinfection before adding any birds.
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Whenever you are cleaning and disinfecting, be sure to first scrub the surface clean of dirt, then apply a sanitizer/disinfectant. Sanitizers only work on clean surfaces.
Procedure for disinfecting poultry tractors and brooders
Wear PPE for disinfection and change PPE between poultry houses
Empty brooders and poultry tractors of all bedding, poultry, manure, and other debris before beginning sanitization
“Dry clean” by brushing and scraping off all visible organic materials (feathers, manure, etc.)
“Wet” clean all surfaces—scrub with water and detergent. Work from top to bottom and back to front.
Rinse all surfaces carefully with water
Apply disinfectant according to the directions on the label.
Leave the enclosure empty until it is completely dry. Use fans and/or open doors and windows to help speed the drying process. Wet surfaces can be harmful to poultry.
When you’re done, remove and discard your protective gear. If using dedicated clothing and boots, change clothing and clean and disinfect your boots.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wash and dry your dedicated clothing.
Be sure to clean and disinfect tools, cages, and any other equipment used for transporting new chicks to the farm. Return empty cages to the trailer and then clean and decontaminate the cages before taking them to another site.
Be careful when moving stored feed, feed ingredients, and fresh litter into poultry houses. Use only cleaned and disinfected equipment, or better yet, equipment dedicated only to handling feed and fresh litter.
Clean and disinfect any tools, equipment, or vehicles if you need to bring them into your RAZ.
After hunting, do not allow poultry to come in contact with your hunting clothes, footwear, equipment, dogs, or vehicle, which may be contaminated.
Common disinfectants that are effective against Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, and other pathogens include:
Bleach (diluted at a rate of 1:32). This is often acceptable in organic systems. Be sure to confirm with your certification agency
Accelerated hydrogen peroxide disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide is an approved organic disinfectant)
Phenolic disinfectants (such as pine sol)
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against Avian Influenza by the US Environmental Protection Agency can be found here.
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against African Swine Fever by the National Institute of Health can be found here (starting on page 6).
A list of disinfectants approved for use under Canadian Organic Standards can be found here (starting on page 40).
If you are certified organic, be sure to check with your certifying agency before using a new disinfectant
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Practice an all-in, all-out rotation and sanitize your brooder and chicken tractor between batches. This means sending one entire batch of poultry to the abattoir, then sanitizing your chicken tractor before moving the next batch in from the brooder. Similarly, this means moving an entire batch of chickens to pasture from the brooder before bringing a new batch of chicks into the brooder. If proper sanitization occurs between batches, this will significantly reduce the risk of transmission between batches.
Work from youngest to oldest when doing chores and move batches from brooder to chicken tractor following a cycle of youngest-oldest.
Keep new poultry quarantined from the flock for 4 to 6 weeks to monitor them for disease before introducing them to the rest of your birds
Ensure the quarantine area is as physically distant as possible from other poultry, that it does not share any air with the rest of the flock, and that it has all its own dedicated equipment, feed and water sources.
Younger poultry are the most susceptible to common diseases.
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Consider where you are sourcing your chicks. Local chick swaps and auction markets are extremely high-risk compared to reputable suppliers with good biosecurity protocols.
Confirm that the poultry you purchase have been tested clean for the same diseases your current flock is tested for.
Ensure chicks are vaccinated for Marek’s Disease, and ask about other vaccination options, such as for coccidiosis, if you are at high risk.
When purchasing poultry in person, check for signs of good health and approximate age. Do not purchase birds that appear old or unhealthy.
Always transport replacement or new poultry in equipment and vehicles that are regularly cleaned and disinfected. For larger operations, the tractor/trailer carrying the birds should follow premises entry biosecurity protocols when entering the farm.
Wear site-specific clothing, including footwear, when loading or delivering poultry. People loading poultry cages into the trailer should wear site-specific clothing or not enter the Restricted Access Zone in which poultry are being raised at the hatchery.
Pick a hatchery that is close enough to minimize transportation time to reduce impacts on health and welfare.
Ask questions about travel time and condition. Remember that chicks that are under 7 days of age cannot regulate their body temperature, so maintaining warmth is critical.
Seek recommendations from trusted sources such as your local feed store, poultry clubs, or veterinarians to find reputable hatcheries.
Always ask questions about health records of the breeder flocks. Many diseases such as Salmonella and Mycoplasmosis can be transmitted vertically through eggs. Once these diseases are introduced to a flock, it is very difficult to eliminate, so it is crucial to avoid introducing them in the first place.
Look for certifications, lab reports, or participation in health programs. Generally, federally, and provincially regulated hatcheries are required to participate in hatchery screening programs.
Ensure breeder sources are free of parasites or have an integrated pest management program established to reduce risk of lice and mites.
Inquire about the hatchery and breeder flock biosecurity protocols - how they minimize the risk of disease transmission in their facilities. Some examples of good biosecurity practices include: limited visitor access, regular cleaning & disinfection of equipment, proper feed storage, health monitoring of breeder flocks.
Ask whether the hatchery conducts regular health testing and inspections of breeder flocks, especially for diseases like infectious coryza, and Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), as well as other contagious diseases.
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Offer regular training on biosecurity practices to current employees and any new hires. Training increases compliance and helps make sure everyone follows procedures consistently.
Post biosecurity instructions and reminders at key locations on your farm (ie: zone transitions, boot washing & disinfection station)
Closely monitor your flock health for decreased feed and water intake, increased mortality, unusual behaviour, and the signs of AI listed above. Train and mandate employees to do the same.
Wildlife Management for Biosecurity
Additional Information About Wildlife and Pest Management
Role of Wild Birds in Disease Transmission:
Contact between waterfowl or wild birds and their manure is a key risk for transmission of AI to domestic poultry. Avoid contact between your flock and waterfowl and wild birds because they often carry diseases that are deadly if transmitted to domestic poultry (ex. AI) without showing signs of sickness.
Understand what poses a disease risk: it’s not just the wild birds and pests themselves. Feathers, nests, feces, and other organic materials can also carry disease. These items can come in contact with your flock through poultry enclosures, feed and water supplies, and even vehicles at your property.
Exclusion Strategies:
Utilize physical barriers where possible to reduce contact between your flock and wild birds (e.g. enclosed mobile housing, netting, shade cloth)
Consider measures such as predator decoys and reflective strips on pasture to scare away wild birds
Check coops, pens, and poultry houses regularly for areas that allow birds to perch, nest, or enter. These include extended roof eaves, rooftop ventilation, overhead wires, torn screens, holes, and broken door openings.
Design feeders and waterers that are not attractive to wild birds.
Keep feeders and waterers under a roof to keep wild birds out.
Employ livestock guardian dogs to chase wild birds from your pastures.
Controlling Rodents, Insects, and Other Pests:
Rodents and small mammals can also spread HPAI (either by picking up infectious material and tracking it into your poultry enclosure, or by carrying and transmitting AI themselves). Use effective fencing and storage practices to keep rodents and small mammals away from poultry, poultry enclosures, and feed/water supplies.
Dispose of dead poultry to discourage feeding by and contamination from crows, scavengers, and raptors.
Add concrete aprons around building walls deter burrowing animals
Keep feed stored securely so wild birds and mammals cannot access and contaminate it.
Keep any bagged feed above the floor and have rodent control measures in place.
Clean up any feed spills as soon as possible to minimize the chance of attracting wildlife and rodents.
Do a daily feed spill check. Identify where feed spills happen and work to reduce them.
Managing Wetlands and Standing Water:
Wetlands and standing water on the farm are significant attractants for wild birds and are therefore hotspots of risk for avian influenza introduction on your farm.
Keep flocks from accessing farm ponds, sloughs, and other bodies of water.
Remove standing water on the farm - even water pooling in tire ruts can attract wild birds. If removing or draining these water pools is impossible, avoid walking or driving equipment through them.
Make ponds and wetlands less attractive to wild birds by removing plants growing on the banks and replacing them with sharp rocks.
Place fences around ponds and wetlands to prevent dogs, mammals, and visitors from tracking contaminants onto the pasture.
Place floating balls and predator decoys on ponds to prevent wild birds from landing. Move decoys regularly to prevent birds from getting accustomed to their placement.
Bird’s water should come from contained sources (ex. well water) or if surface water must be used, it should be disinfected.
Keep yourself, dogs, other animals and children out of ponds and wet areas of the farm to prevent the spread disease from wetlands to your flock
Don’t walk through or drive trucks, tractors, or equipment in areas where waterfowl or other wildlife feces may be. If you can’t avoid this, clean your shoes, vehicle, and/or equipment thoroughly to prevent bringing disease agents back to your flock.
Emergency Response if you Suspect Avian Influenza
Initial Steps
Contact the Office of the Chief Veterinarian (604-556-3003) and the CFIA (403-338-5225) and follow their instructions.
CFIA testing, depopulation and disposal teams are able to reach most locations in BC within 24hrs. While waiting for the CFIA: If dead birds are indoors, keep them in place in a double plastic bag or sealed container. If dead birds are outside, put carcasses in double plastic bags or sealed containers, and in an indoor place not accessible to wildlife (ideally within your RAZ). This could be a fridge or freezer.
Wear personal protective equipment whenever handling dead/sick birds: respirator, fluid-resistant coveralls, disposable gloves, goggles, boot covers, hair cover (follow detailed instructions on proper PPE in the section above).
Strictly avoid unnecessary off-farm travel. Change clothes and disinfect boots and vehicles if leaving the farm is unavoidable.
Remember that sick birds and eggs from sick birds must be disposed of properly and do not enter the food chain.
Cleaning and Disinfection Post-Outbreak
Follow extensive cleaning and disinfection instructions laid out in section 5, along with any additional instructions given by the CFIA, Chief Veterinarian, or other authorities
General best practices for disinfection
Wear PPE for disinfection and change PPE between spaces you are disinfecting
Empty brooders and poultry tractors of all bedding, poultry, manure, and other debris before beginning sanitization
“Dry clean” by brushing and scraping off all visible organic materials (feathers, manure, etc.)
“Wet” clean all surfaces—scrub with water and detergent. Work from top to bottom and back to front.
Rinse all surfaces carefully with water
Apply disinfectant according to the directions on the label.
Leave the enclosure empty until it is completely dry. Use fans and/or open doors and windows to help speed the drying process. Wet surfaces can be harmful to poultry.
When you’re done, remove and discard your protective gear. If using dedicated clothing and boots, change clothing and clean and disinfect your boots.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wash and dry your dedicated clothing.
Common disinfectants that are effective against Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, and other pathogens include:
Bleach (diluted at a rate of 1:32). This is often acceptable in organic systems. Be sure to confirm with your certification agency
Accelerated hydrogen peroxide disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide is an approved organic disinfectant)
Phenolic disinfectants (such as pine sol)
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against Avian Influenza by the US Environmental Protection Agency can be found here.
An extensive list of disinfectants that have been tested and proven effective against African Swine Fever by the National Institute of Health can be found here (starting on page 6).
A list of disinfectants approved for use under Canadian Organic Standards can be found here (starting on page 40).
If you are certified organic, e sure to check with your certifying agency before using a new disinfectant
Control Zones and Animal Movement
Primary Control Zones (PCZ) are established in the immediate areas around farms with an active outbreak. Restrictions on movement of birds and mandates or recommendations to bring birds inside exist within Primary Control Zones
Keep up to date with existing PCZs on the CFIA website
If your flock is in an active PCZ, you will need a permit to move your birds, their products, and by-products. Permits are required for both small and commercial flocks. Use CFIA’s interactive tool to find information on permits and conditions.
Important Phone Numbers and Websites:
CFIA Sick Bird Line (call immediately if you suspect Avian Influenza in your flock): 403-338-5225
Find your local CFIA branch here (contact if you suspect reportable diseases in your flock).
Contact the BC Office of the Chief Veterinarian for veterinary information and if you suspect reportable diseases in your flock: 604-556-3003
Find a complete list of reportable diseases in BC here.
Wild Bird Mortality Investigation Program (call to investigate suspicious wild bird mortality): 1-866-431-BIRD (2473)
