Checklist To Protect Against 

Wild Birds, Rodents, and Insects

If you see signs of illness, take action right away! Phone Number

Veterinarian 

Cooperative Extension Office 

State Veterinarian/Animal or Poultry Diagnostic Lab 

USDA 866.536.7593

Food, water, and shelter in areas where domestic birds live are a magnet for wild birds, 

rodents, and insects. It’s crucial to protect your poultry from the germs and diseases these 

pests can carry: mites and other parasites, viruses like avian influenza, bacteria such as 

Salmonella and Campylobacter, or other disease agents. Whether you’re part of a large 

commercial enterprise or keep birds as a hobby, make sure everyone with access to your 

flock follows biosecurity practices to keep these threats away. 

If you see or suspect anything unusual, call your flock supervisor, veterinarian, or cooperative 

extension office right away. Use this form to record phone numbers for contacts in your area. 

The earlier you act, the easier it is to contain the disease to a single flock.

Report Sick Birds

Check the list on the back for tips 

to help keep your flocks healthy. √

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Be sure to:

Find out when wild bird migration season is in your 

area. Be extra careful during this time to protect 

your flock from infectious diseases. If you find 

native wild bird nests with eggs or young in them, 

contact your cooperative extension service.

Checklist:Tips To Help Keep Your Flocks Healthy

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 2235-4 • Issued November 2018

This checklist is a general guide to practicing good biosecurity, but if you have a 

site-specific biosecurity plan, please follow it. Commercial growers should be sure their 

site-specific plans follow the National Poultry Improvement Plan biosecurity principles. 

√

Understand what poses a disease risk: 

it’s not just the wild birds and pests themselves. 

Feathers, nests, feces, and other organic materials can also carry disease. These items can 

come in contact with your flock through poultry 

enclosures, feed and water supplies, and even 

vehicles at your property.

Check coops, pens, and poultry houses 

regularly for areas that allow birds to perch, 

nest, or enter. These include extended roof 

eaves, rooftop ventilation, overhead wires, torn 

screens, holes, and broken door openings. 

Concrete aprons around building walls deter 

burrowing animals.

Sweep away old nests before nesting 

season—birds will return to the same nests 

year after year.

Clean and disinfect poultry enclosures.

This includes removing soiled litter and throwing 

it away. Sick birds can easily contaminate straw 

and other bedding.

For more information about how to keep your flocks healthy, follow Defend the Flock on 

Facebook and Twitter and visit www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock.

Don’t give wild birds, rodents, and insects a 

free lunch! Remove spilled or uneaten feed right

away, and make sure feed storage units are secure 

and free of holes. 

Protect your flock’s water supply. Make sure 

wild birds, rodents, and other pests can’t access it. 

And if you can, use a municipal water supply or 

treated well water so you know it’s clean.

Don’t walk through or drive trucks, tractors, 

or equipment in areas where waterfowl or other 

wildlife feces may be. If you can’t avoid this, clean 

your shoes, vehicle, and/or equipment thoroughly to 

prevent bringing disease agents back to your flock.

Know the warning signs of poultry disease,

like changes in how much your birds eat or drink, 

increased deaths in your flock, or general malaise.