Defend the Flock Newsletter / Winter Edition 2022 

Defend the Flock: Your Biosecurity Bulletin 

TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS: 

Preventing Avian Infuenza 

Introductions: Focus on 

the Big Risks 

USDA APHIS hosted a free webinar that provided 

an opportunity to learn about the introduction of 

avian infuenza into commercial focks and how to 

mitigate risks. 

The webinar featured Dr. Julie Gauthier with the 

USDA, Dr. Carol Cardona, Pomeroy Chair in Avian 

Health for the College of Veterinary Medicine at the 

University of Minnesota, and Dr. Tim Boyer, Ph.D. a 

biological scientist with the Center for Epidemiology 

and Animal Health at USDA APHIS. 

You can listen to a replay of the webinar and see the 

follow-up Q&A at the Defend the Flock Resource 

Center, under the “Webinars” tab. 

SAVE THE DATE 

BIRD HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 

February 28–March 4, 2022 

New Defend the Flock webinar and 

resources for small fock owners/enthusiasts 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and 

check the Defend the Flock website for updates 

Q&AVet for a Day: A Talk with

 Dr. Annika McKillop

We asked Dr. Annika McKillop, Veterinary Medical Offcer USDA APHIS 

Veterinary Services, what it is like to “Defend our Flocks.” 

What is your poultry background? I was 

an Animal Science Major in undergrad and lived 

and worked at the school farm for almost two 

years. We had 16,000 layers, a Japanese Quail 

breeding colony, and several research projects 

on immunology and nutrition in broilers, ducks, 

and turkeys. I got involved in the research and 

worked in the laboratory processing research 

samples. I later gained industry experience 

working as a veterinarian for Aviagen Turkeys. 

For about 7.5 years, I had my own veterinary practice in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia where approximately 95% of my clientele were small 

flocks, as well as some contract work with small breeders and egg layer 

flocks. Now I work at USDA/APHIS in Veterinary Services in Animal Products

Import and Export. 

How does biosecurity and caring for commercial poultry differ 

from small focks? Biosecurity and caring for small focks is VERY similar 

to commercial focks. The only difference is the housing and the number of 

birds. Most of the issues I saw in small focks were either related to breaches 

in biosecurity (introducing birds without proper quarantine and testing, therefore bringing diseases to existing focks) or management-related (improper 

housing, injuries due to predators, and imbalanced diet). 

With a private practice that was exclusively mobile, how did you 

handle biosecurity? I handled every visit the same exact way to make 

sure I wasn’t spreading diseases between my clients. I would visit commercial

 continued 

Report Sick Birds 

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

Veterinarian

Cooperative Extension Offce 

State Veterinarian/Animal or Poultry Diagnostic Lab 

USDA 866.536.7593 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
 

Defend the Flock Newsletter / Winter Edition 2022 

New Look! 

Refreshed Website Now Includes 

Spanish-Language Resource Page 

USDA recently refreshed the entire Defend the Flock 

website. As part of the refresh, all Spanish-language 

campaign resources can now easily be found in one 

place. Users will be able 

to download Spanish 

checklists, social graphics, and much more. 

You can explore the 

website, campaign 

resources, and more 

detailed biosecurity information at the Defend 

the Flock homepage. 

TAKE ACTION TODAY! 

The recent detection of highly pathogenic avian infuenza in wild birds serves as a reminder to all poultry 

owners and handlers to protect their focks. Review 

your biosecurity plan and enhance your biosecurity 

practices today. 

Prevent contact between your birds and wild birds. 

Report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal offcials, either through their state veterinarian or 

through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. 

Visit our resource center for more ways to defend 

your fock. 

Q&AVet for a Day: A Talk with

 Dr. Annika McKillop

 continued 

focks at the beginning of the week and then small focks towards the end. 

My car was washed before seeing every client. I wore personal protective 

equipment, including a hairnet, coveralls over my clothes, disposable booties, gloves, and facemask. Everything that came out of my car was cleaned 

and disinfected before going back into my vehicle. (Even money/checks 

were sprayed with disinfectant!) Any exposed skin was either washed or 

wiped down with a cleansing wipe, hand sanitizer was used, and my shoes 

were sprayed with disinfectants before entering my vehicle, even though 

they were covered and technically never touched the ground. Poultry can 

carry diseases and not show symptoms, so I was careful wherever I went. 

When you speak to youth groups, what do you want them to focus 

on? I emphasize that poultry diseases spread very easily. One of the best 

things they can do for their fock is to have dedicated shoes, wash their 

hands, and wear clean or dedicated clothing when working with their birds. 

I also recommend that they change their clothes and wash their hands 

afterwards for their own safety, so they do not get Salmonella, E. coli, or 

other diseases. I also advise them to stay away from auctions, bird swaps, 

Facebook, or sites like Craigslist when starting or adding to their fock. 

They should instead focus on fnding a supplier that is negative for poultry 

diseases and vaccinated for Marek’s Disease. 

What made you decide to 

specialize in poultry? I fell in 

love working with poultry since they 

are physiologically different than 

mammals; their environment has 

such an impact on their well-being 

and production. 

Dr. McKillop using personal protective 

equipment when getting to a property. 

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

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

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