The ultimate goal of an animal disease response is to get you, the 

producer, back in business. Restocking is your final step, and it 

must be done carefully. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

and State animal health officials need to make sure your property 

is free from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus so 

new birds don’t get the disease. 

Cleanup and Testing

The HPAI virus must be eliminated from the barn or poultry 

house, equipment, and all affected areas of the property. Effective 

methods include, among others: “dry” cleaning and then heat 

treatment, wet cleaning, or chemical treatments. USDA pays a 

standard amount for virus elimination costs and will give you a 

written summary of the available options so you can make the 

best choice for your facility. You are responsible for handling 

cleanup work, either on your own or by hiring contractors. 

After cleaning and disinfection, your site must stay empty for 

at least 14 days. During this time, USDA will collect and test 

environmental samples from your property to confirm the virus 

has been eliminated. 

We’ll also review the conditions in the surrounding area to make 

sure there’s no risk of new birds being exposed to the HPAI virus. 

Some States may have further criteria you must meet, like putting 

in place a specific biosecurity measure, before you are approved 

to restock.

Approval To Restock

You will receive written approval to restock when USDA and 

your State confirm that your property is virus-free and that 

you’ve met all other criteria.* This document will include specific 

requirements you must follow for restocking, testing new birds, 

and continued biosecurity. You will need to review and sign 

the agreement.

After approval, it’s up to you to decide how and when to restock. 

When purchasing birds to restock, you must have them tested 

for HPAI, and they must test negative before you can move them 

onto your property. It is your responsibility to arrange and pay 

for this testing. Your case manager can advise you on who to 

contact for testing. 

Maintaining Biosecurity

As you move forward, everyone who enters your property 

must follow the biosecurity measures you have in place. 

General requirements for all restocked sites are listed below. 

Your restocking approval document may also include other 

requirements specific to your facility or local area. 

 Have cleaning and disinfection procedures in place for all 

movement onto your property and into and between barns.

 Enforce personnel-specific biosecurity measures.

 Keep wild birds and rodents out of barn structures.

 Make sure feed and water are not contaminated by wild birds 

or their feces.

 Immediately fix things like standing water or feed spills that 

may attract wild birds.

 Stop visits by non-essential personnel.

To complete a biosecurity self-assessment, go to uspoultry.org/

programs/poultry-health/biosecurity (click on “USDA Biosecurity 

Self-Assessment”). USDA developed this assessment with States 

and industry to help commercial poultry owners understand and 

put in place enhanced biosecurity measures. You can also contact 

your industry organization for more biosecurity resources.

Questions?

Talk with your case manager or call the nearest USDA Veterinary 

Services office (www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health; click on 

“Contact Us”). 

Restocking Your Poultry Flock

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Learn more about how to protect your flock from HPAI and other diseases: 

aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock ▪ cdc.gov/flu/avianflu

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. APHIS-22-014 | Issued April 2022

* Restocking may not be approved if there is an active infection and a current 

 control zone in place near you.