Avian influenza is a disease found in wild and domestic 

birds. Although wild waterfowl rarely show signs of the 

disease, they can shed the virus into the environment 

through their oral and nasal secretions and feces. The 

viruses can cause severe illness and death in domestic 

birds. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal 

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working 

closely with State and local officials and industry experts 

to assist poultry producers in the surveillance, reporting, 

and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). 

Experts are still evaluating how HPAI is spreading in the 

United States.

Biosecurity is Key 

The best way to prevent HPAI at your farm is by 

consistently using appropriate biosecurity measures. 

The USDA and its industry partners provide a list of 

recommended biosecurity measures at www.aphis.usda.

gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/biosecurity.

You can build upon and enhance these measures with 

the addition of simple wildlife management practices 

around your farm. The following management practices 

can help you prevent wild birds and other wildlife from 

coming into direct contact with your poultry, as well 

as wild bird fecal material and secretions from being 

accidentally transported on boots, equipment, and food to 

your birds. 

Prevent Avian Influenza at Your Farm 

Improve Your Biosecurity with Simple Wildlife Management Practices

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service July 2015 

Remove 

standing water

• Grade property to avoid pooling of water.

• Fill areas where water stands for more than 48 hours. 

• Workers should avoid walking or moving equipment in or near 

 standing water used by wildlife. 

• Consider French drains and culverts to carry water away from 

 poultry houses.

Manage risks at 

ponds and basins

• Do not use untreated surface water for watering poultry or

cleaning poultry barns and other facilities as it may be contaminated.

• Consider removing vegetation from the banks of man-made

water structures.

• Use deterrent techniques (e.g. wire grids, predator decoys, and

 scare devices) to keep waterfowl from using water bodies near

 poultry barns. 

• Use fencing to separate natural ponds or vegetation areas from the

 active area around barns.

Reduce food 

sources

• Do not feed wildlife.

• Locate feed structures on a clean pad.

• Inspect pipes and connections regularly for leaks.

• Keep a broom and lidded garbage container at every feed storage

 area for quick clean-ups. 

• Natural wildlife feed such as grass seeds, insects and fruit trees, 

 may also be present:

− Mow frequently

− Do not pile used litter near barns

− Remove fallen fruit

1. Reduce wildlife attractants
Cover waste • Keep carcasses covered at all times.

• Close and latch dumpster and trash can lids. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

2. Prevent wildlife access

Remove perches, 

plug holes

• Repair holes and tears in barn walls.

• Remove unnecessary ledges or horizontal surfaces.

• Install exclusionary netting, screens, and perch deterrents, such as

 repellent gel or bird spikes.

• Before nesting season begins, wash away or remove old nests in

 accordance with state and federal regulations. Please note it is 

 unlawful to remove nests with eggs or young in them at any time of

 year. 

• Inspect foam installation for signs of rodent or bird digging, chewing

 or pecking.

3. Add wildlife deterrents

Move and replace 

scare devices 

frequently

• Move decoys and scare devices frequently to improve effectiveness.

• Pyrotechnics can be effective, but require dedicated and trained

 personnel and may be stressful to poultry. 

NOTE: USDA and other experts do not recommend the lethal removal 

of wild birds in order to prevent the spread of HPAI. Because of the 

high number and constant movement of wild birds, the use of lethal 

methods is neither practical nor environmentally sound. 

Producers who are concerned about wildlife accessing areas near their poultry facilities can contact their USDA-APHIS 

Wildlife Services’ state office at 1-866-4USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297) for assistance. They can also visit the USDA website 

at www.usda.gov/avianinfluenza to learn more about avian influenza and recommended biosecurity practices.