Defend The Flock Newsletter / Summer Edition 2019

Defend the Flock: Your Biosecurity Bulletin 

 

 

Q&A 

Vet for a Day: A Talk with

 Dr. Chrislyn Wood Nicholson 

We asked Dr. Chrislyn Wood Nicholson, DVM, 

Veterinary Medical Offcer/Poultry Specialist in USDA 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary 

Services what it’s like to “Defend our Flocks.” 

1. Why did you specialize in poultry medicine?

I’ve always loved animals and cared about human

health. I became a Veterinary Medical Offcer because

the work I do protects poultry and keeps people safe.

Poultry meat and eggs are an important food protein

source around the world.

2. How do you know when there is an outbreak?

We find out because the laboratory confirms avian

influenza virus through routine testing surveillance or

when someone reports sick or dead birds, and follow

up testing is done.

 continued 

Defend the Flock Campaign: 

Biosecurity Protects Our Birds 

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) brings 

commercial and backyard poultry growers together in the Defend the Flock 

campaign to keep our flocks healthy. 

Diseases like avian influenza are the number one threat against our nation’s 

poultry. This campaign gives anyone who works with birds the biosecurity tools 

they need to protect our flocks. Checklists, videos, webinars and other educational resources can be found 24/7 at the Resource Center. Follow Defend the 

Flock on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute news and information. 

Become a Flock Defender and keep our nation’s flocks – and people – safe from 

infectious diseases. 

Seasonal Tips for Biosecurity 

Spring and summer are the time to introduce new birds. Follow these guidelines to 

prevent the spread of disease: 

Choose Wisely: Purchase replacement birds from National Poultry 

Improvement Plan (NPIP)-participating breeders, hatcheries and/or dealers.

Travel Safely: Clean and disinfect all equipment used for transport. Dispose 

of empty cages safely or clean and decontaminate them if being taken to 

another site. 

continued 

Report Sick Birds 

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

Veterinarian 

Cooperative Extension Offce 

State Veterinarian/Animal or Poultry Diagnostic Lab 

USDA 

Phone Number 

 866.536.7593 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
Defend The Flock Newsletter / Summer Edition 2019 

Q&AVet for a Day: A Talk with

 Dr. Chrislyn Wood Nicholson 

continued 

3. What’s the first thing you do when there’s an

outbreak? We get as much information as possible to

limit the spread of disease by placing a quarantine to

restrict movement from the affected farm. We notify the

USDA, the state department of agriculture, and other

involved parties (feed trucks, service technicians, area

poultry industry groups, etc.). Our staff may go door to

door in an infected area to examine birds for testing to

make sure other poultry farms in the area are safe.

4. What should I do if there’s an outbreak in my

area? The most important thing is communication.

Listen and share news with your neighbors, state

department of agriculture and the USDA APHIS

personnel who will be in the area.

5. What do you want poultry growers to know?

I want them to understand the severity of avian influenza.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza can kill more than half

a flock in one to two days. We have a shared responsibility for defending our flocks.

6. What’s the best part of your job? I love getting to

work one on one with poultry owners, teaching them

biosecurity/disease prevention strategies to show them

how to keep their birds healthy.

“ We raise awareness among commercial and backyard

 bird owners by providing information about biosecurity

 through programs such as Defend the Flock, and 

we continuously conduct crisis scenarios in the field.” 

 —Dr. Chrislyn Wood Nicholson 

Guidance for Commercial Growers 

Always transport replacement poultry in equipment and vehicles that 

are regularly cleaned, disinfected and inspected. 

Seasonal Tips for Biosecurity 

continued 

Standardize Tests: Test your new poultry for the same diseases for which 

your current flock has been tested. 

Separate Newcomers: Quarantine new birds from the rest of your flock 

for at least 30 days and watch carefully for signs of sickness. If you see 

sneezing, coughing, nasal drainage, swollen eyes, mites, lice or other 

issues, report them immediately to your state veterinarian or call the USDA 

toll-free hotline: 1-866-536-7593. 

Keep Clean: Whether it’s a commercial operation or backyard coop, always 

adhere to the highest standards of cleanliness and safety for birds. 

For more information, visit the Defend the Flock Resource Center. It’s updated 

all the time and will help you keep your poultry safe and healthy. 

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. 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.