APHIS Factsheet

Veterinary Services February 2007

Questions and 

Answers: Biosecurity 

For the Birds

Q. What is Biosecurity For the Birds?

A. Biosecurity For the Birds is an outreach and 

education campaign begun in 2004, to reach out to 

backyard poultry producers and bird owners to educate them about the signs of infectious poultry 

disease, the need to practice backyard biosecurity, 

and the importance of reporting sick or dead birds.

Q. What is “backyard biosecurity?”

A. “Backyard biosecurity” means doing everything 

you can to protect your birds from disease. There are 

six basic steps you can take to protect your flocks and 

practice good “Biosecurity for the Birds”:

 1. Limit unwanted traffic to your property and 

 your birds.

 2. Keep it clean. Use bleach or other disinfec- 

 tant on your shoes, clothes, egg trays, flats, 

 and tools. Wash your hands thoroughly. 

 3. Don’t haul disease home on your truck or car. 

 Clean and disinfect car and truck tires, cages, 

 and equipment before going home if you’ve 

 been near other birds.

 4. Don’t borrow diseases from other farms by 

 using your neighbor’s equipment, cages, tools, 

 or supplies.

 5. Know the warning signs of infectious bird 

 diseases.

 6. Report any sick birds to your local coopera- 

 tive extension agent, local veterinarian, the 

 State veterinarian, State diagnostic labora-

 tory, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

 (USDA) office at 1–866-536–7593.

Q. Why should I care about biosecurity?

A. If you own poultry, keeping your birds healthy is 

a top priority. Outbreaks of bird diseases, such as 

exotic Newcastle disease (END) or avian influenza 

(AI), can spread and kill flocks quickly. An outbreak 

can happen anywhere, and these diseases can spread 

to surrounding birds if not immediately reported and 

contained. Early detection and reporting are the most 

important steps in eradicating a disease outbreak.

Q. What is AI or bird flu?

A. “Avian influenza” or bird flu is a highly contagious 

viral disease that can infect many types of birds, thus

the common name of bird flu. For more information go 

to <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity>.

Q. What is END?

A. END, or exotic Newcastle disease, is a contagious 

and fatal poultry disease that affects chickens, turkeys, 

and many other species of birds. An outbreak of END 

in California and other western States in 2002–2003 

cost Federal and State Governments more than $170 

million. Pet and poultry owners not only lost birds, but 

in some cases their livelihoods. For more information 

go to <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity>. 

Q. Can pet birds get these diseases?

A. Virtually all birds, including pet varieties, are 

susceptible to END and AI. 

Q. What are the warning signs of infectious bird 

diseases?

A. 1. Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock.

 2. Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, nasal 

 discharge.

 3. Watery and green diarrhea.

 4. Lack of energy and poor appetite.

 5. Drop in egg production or thin-shelled mis - 

 shapen eggs. 

 6. Swelling around the eyes and neck and head.

 7. Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and 

 legs (AI).

 8. Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of 

 head and neck, or lack of movement (END).

Q. Who should you call?

A. Don’t wait. If your birds are sick or dying, call your 

local cooperative extension office, local veterinarian, 

the State veterinarian, the State animal diagnostic

laboratory, or USDA’s Veterinary Services office to 

report it. USDA operates a toll–free hotline 

(1–866–536–7593) with veterinarians who can help 

you. There is no charge to conduct a disease investigation.

Q. Should I report a sick bird even if I am not sure 

it is END or AI?

A. Yes. Let the experts make the determination. 
United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital 

status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, 

genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part 

of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance 

program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons 

with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) 

should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice 

and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, 

Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. , 

Washington , D.C. 20250–9410 , or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or 

(202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and 

employer. 

It is better for people to be cautious than to let one of 

these highly contagious diseases go unreported. 

Q. How can I get more information on backyard 

biosecurity?

A. You can find out more information by visiting 

USDA’s Biosecurity For the Birds Web site at 

<www.aphis.usda.gov/vs>. 

Q. What is APHIS?

A. APHIS stands for the Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service of USDA. The agency has the 

responsibility for protecting American agriculture from 

foreign animal diseases and for eradicating those diseases should they enter the country.