Visitor Guidelines: Protecting Your Flock with Biosecurity

Visitor Guidelines: Protecting Your Flock with Biosecurity

For Marek’s-positive flocks, biosecurity is especially critical. The virus spreads through feather dander, and visitors can unknowingly carry the virus to other locations.

• Be extra cautious with visitors who own chickens or who have recently visited other poultry farms.
• Limit visitor movement within the coop to reduce the spread of feather dust.
• Quarantine any birds brought onto your property, even if they come from a trusted source.

Why Visitor Biosecurity Matters

Poultry diseases like Marek’s Disease spread easily through airborne particles, feather dander, and contaminated surfaces. Visitors who have recently been around other poultry or farms may inadvertently bring germs onto your property. This walk-in contamination can occur via:

• Shoes or Boots: Dirt and droppings from other flocks can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
• Clothing: Feather dust and microscopic pathogens can cling to fabric.
• Hands or Tools: Equipment, cameras, or even hands can carry pathogens between locations.

Without proper precautions, visitors could introduce pathogens to your flock, resulting in illness, reduced egg production, or even fatalities. Biosecurity protocols for visitors are a simple and effective way to reduce these risks.

Setting Up Visitor Biosecurity Guidelines

The following steps will help you establish and communicate visitor protocols to protect your flock:

1. Limit Visitor Access

Not everyone needs to enter your coop or run. Limit access to essential visitors, such as veterinarians or trusted helpers. For others:

• Designate a viewing area outside the coop or run to observe the birds without direct contact.
• Use a clear sign at your coop entrance, such as:
  “BIOSECURITY IN PLACE – No Unauthorized Visitors.”

2. Communicate Before the Visit

Set clear expectations before visitors arrive. Let them know your biosecurity protocols, including:

• No handling of birds or entering the coop without prior approval.
• Clean clothing, footwear, and hands are required.
• Avoid contact with other poultry flocks for 24 hours before their visit.

3. Provide a Designated Cleaning Zone

Create a cleaning area near the coop entrance for visitors to prepare before entering:

• Handwashing or Sanitizing Station: Encourage visitors to wash or sanitize their hands before and after visiting.
• Shoe Covers or Coop-Only Footwear: Supply disposable shoe covers or ask visitors to wear clean, designated footwear.
• Equipment Disinfection: Have disinfectant spray available for any tools, cameras, or items brought into the coop.

Visitor Biosecurity Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure your visitor guidelines are followed consistently:

Before the Visit

• Visitors are notified of biosecurity requirements in advance.
• Visitors confirm they have not been near other poultry flocks for 24 hours.
• Visitors bring clean clothing (or are provided protective clothing).

During the Visit

• Visitors wash or sanitize their hands before entering.
• Shoe covers or coop-only footwear are worn at all times.
• Visitors handle birds only when necessary, using gloves or sanitized hands.
• Visitors remain in designated areas (e.g., coop, run, or isolation pen).

After the Visit

• Shoe covers are removed and disposed of properly.
• Visitors wash or sanitize their hands before leaving.
• Any shared tools or equipment are cleaned and disinfected.

Best Practices for Visitor Management

Follow these tips to enhance your visitor biosecurity system:

1. Post Clear Signs

At every coop entrance, post visible signs that explain your biosecurity rules. For example:

• “BIOSECURITY IN PLACE – No Unauthorized Visitors.”
• “Shoe Covers Required – Please Use the Provided Footbath.”
• “Do Not Enter Without Approval – Protect Our Flock!”

These signs serve as a reminder to visitors and discourage unintentional breaches of protocol.

2. Keep Supplies Ready

Ensure you always have the following supplies available near your coop entrance:

• Disposable shoe covers.
• Hand sanitizer or handwashing station.
• Disinfectant spray for tools and equipment.
• A visitor log (optional) to track who has visited and when.

3. Handle Visitors with Care

While biosecurity is critical, it’s also important to communicate your expectations with respect and clarity. For instance:

• Let visitors know your protocols are in place to protect your flock’s health.
• Express gratitude for their cooperation: “Thank you for helping us keep our birds safe!”

Printable Visitor Sign

Here’s an example of a biosecurity sign you can place at your coop entrance:

BIOSECURITY IN PLACE
No Unauthorized Visitors

To protect the health of our flock, please follow these guidelines:

• No entry without prior approval.
• Wear shoe covers or designated footwear.
• Wash hands and sanitize before entering.
• Do not visit other poultry flocks before your visit.
• Clean clothing only.

Thank you for protecting our flock!

This simple sign, paired with clear verbal instructions and proper cleaning supplies, reinforces your commitment to biosecurity and encourages visitors to follow the rules.

Key Takeaways

1. Visitor biosecurity is a vital step in reducing the risk of disease in your flock.
2. Limiting access, enforcing cleanliness, and clearly communicating expectations are the foundation of a strong visitor protocol.
3. Combining a designated cleaning area, visible signage, and visitor guidelines creates a professional and effective system to protect your birds.

By implementing these practices, you’ll not only safeguard your flock from contamination but also set an excellent example of responsible flock management for your visitors.