20 February 2025

Heightened levels of biosecurity needed on poultry units

The need to implement strict biosecurity measures on poultry units has heightened due to the circulation of avian influenza in the wild bird population in the Republic of Ireland and the confirmation of a positive case in a poultry unit in Northern Ireland.

Although a compulsory housing order came into effect on Monday, February 17, Poultry Advisor at Teagasc, Rebecca Tierney has encouraged poultry keepers – whether commercial, small scale or hobby – to continue to implement strict biosecurity measures on their units.

“Avian influenza can have devastating impacts on poultry flocks and a positive confirmation of HPAI will result in total flock destruction. With birds now housed, the risk hasn’t abated and poultry keepers must endeavour to implement the highest levels of biosecurity to protect their flocks,” Rebecca Tierney advised.

Biosecurity is essential, as it’s the barrier to protect your business and flock from harmful diseases, and it extends further than just keeping the flocks indoors. The housing order is only another measure of biosecurity in a much larger biosecurity plan.

To aid poultry keepers in ensuring the highest levels of biosecurity are maintained during this trying time, Rebecca Tierney has developed a Poultry Biosecurity Checklist. This document, available to view on the Teagasc website, summarises the key measures poultry keepers need to implement – from building maintenance, bedding, rodent control, site and vehicle access, as well as staff and visitor considerations.

“Avian Influenza, a virus, is spread by close contact with infected birds” Rebecca Tierney added, “and keepers need to ensure that their buildings are secure, bedding is covered and disinfected before use, staff don’t inadvertently carry the disease from another poultry unit and that only essential visitors attend poultry units. Wild birds are not the only risk, the disease can be transmitted via equipment, vehicles and people.”

For more information and to access the Poultry Biosecurity Checklist (PDF), visit here.