ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

Avian influenza viruses and other pathogens that impact domestic poultry often 

cause little or no illness in wildlife. For this reason, apparently healthy wild birds 

and mammals could spread disease onto farms when they are attracted to areas 

with abundant food, water, and/or shelter.

You can build on and enhance your farm biosecurity by putting wildlife 

management practices in place. There are several nonlethal ways to make 

farms less welcoming to wildlife. 

Waterfowl, as well as other birds and mammals, are attracted to water for 

drinking, bathing, feeding, and loafing. The practices below can help you manage 

water resources at your farm to prevent wildlife from coming into direct 

contact with your poultry, as well as to avoid accidentally transporting wildlife 

fecal material and secretions into your facilities on boots, equipment, and food. 

Removing Standing Water

Even small, shallow pools of standing water, such as those found in tire ruts, 

can attract waterfowl and other wildlife. So grade your property to avoid 

pooling water. We recommend a minimum slope of half an inch per foot. You 

should fill and/or grade all areas where standing water is seen for more than 

24 hours after a heavy rainfall. Where standing water is unavoidable, make sure 

workers don’t walk or move equipment in or near the area. This prevents 

possible contamination of boots and equipment.

Managing Ponds and Basins

Wildlife are attracted to ponds, catchment basins, and manmade irrigation 

structures. To make these areas less desirable to most wildlife species, you 

may want to manage vegetation on the banks. However, this may make the 

area more attractive to geese. You may need to obtain a permit to manage 

vegetation around ponds and other water sources per the Clean Water Act. 

Please consult with a wildlife or wetlands professional before removing 

such vegetation. 

Fencing can also be used to separate natural ponds or vegetation areas from 

active areas around poultry facilities. You can grid ponds with wires or ropes to 

discourage waterfowl from landing on the water. Floating a boat or bird 

deterrent balls on the pond and using predator decoys or other scare devices 

may also be effective, but the decoys should be moved frequently to prevent 

wildlife habituation.

Improving Biosecurity With 

Wildlife Management Practices: 

Reducing Water Access

There are several nonlethal 

management methods for 

reducing wildlife’s potential 

spread of disease on farms.
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, 

employer, and lender.

Program Aid No. 2209 

Issued October 2016

Filtering Surface Water

Avian influenza viruses can be spread through contaminated water. Never use 

untreated surface water to water poultry or clean equipment, barns, or other 

facilities. If you must use surface water, treat the water or install filtration to 

remove pathogens. Test the water quality regularly to make sure the water 

treatment or filtration is effective. 

Recommended Actions

• Conduct a wildlife assessment at your farm. Do wild animals have access 

to food, water, and shelter on your site? If so, learn about and use wildlife 

management methods to improve your biosecurity. 

• Keep waterfowl and other wildlife off of your farm by removing standing 

water and preventing access to ponds and basins. 

• Do not use untreated or unfiltered surface water to wet poultry or clean 

equipment, barns, or other facilities.

• Do not walk or drive trucks, tractors, or other equipment through areas 

where waterfowl or other wildlife fecal material may be present. 

Please note that the lethal removal of native wildlife is regulated under Federal and 

State laws. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other experts do not 

recommend lethally removing native wild birds to prevent the spread of highly 

pathogenic avian influenza or other diseases. Because wild birds are abundant and 

constantly moving, using lethal methods is not practical or environmentally sound. It is 

much more effective to remove sources of wildlife attraction than to manage wild 

animals after they have arrived on your property.

Learn More

If you have specific questions about wildlife management on your farm or need 

help conducting a wildlife assessment, call your nearest USDA Wildlife Services 

office toll free at 1-866-4USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297). 

For general information on avian influenza and emergency response, go to 

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/aiupdates.