Disease prevention is much less stressful and costly than disease control and recovery. Biosecurity measures are a critical component of disease prevention. Use this list to rate your disease prevention practices and preparedness. Check the box for all questions to which you can answer ‘yes’. A score of 80 or better is outstanding, 70 to 79 excellent, 60 to 69 good, 50 to 59 just fair, and 49 or less indicates a definite need for improvement.

A. Score 5 points for each ‘yes’ answer.

• My farm is isolated from other poultry facilities.
• My poultry houses are set back at least 200 feet from public roads.
• Access deterrents are in place such as warning signs at entrances, perimeter fencing or gated driveways.
• My buildings are secured with locks.
• My employees do not own poultry.
• No other avian species are kept on my property.
• I have a pest management programme to control mice, rats and other pests.

B. Score 4 points for each ‘yes’ answer.

• My birds are observed every day for abnormal symptoms and overall flock health.
• I routinely analyse my poultry production, feed consumption, and mortality records for signs of problems.
• Dead birds are picked up daily from the houses for appropriate disposal.
• My farm has secure dead bird disposal, with no access to birds or animals.
• Vehicles or people cannot enter my farm or poultry houses without my permission or knowledge.
• Visitors must park vehicles in a designated area and sign a logbook.

Score 3 points for each ‘yes’ answer.

• My poultry housing is animal- and wild bird-proof.
• All tools and equipment are cleaned and disinfected before coming on my farm.
• Production houses are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between flocks.
• Production house entryways are routinely cleaned and disinfected.
• Disinfectant footbaths are at each entryway of every facility and are routinely cleaned and recharged.
• Debris and vegetation are cleaned up and kept clear of the production facilities.
• Feed spills are cleaned up quickly when they occur.
• For necessary visitors, I provide clean coveralls and boots.
• My employees do not travel to other poultry premises not under my control.

Score 2 points for each ‘yes’ answer.

• All utility and service vehicles entering my farm are properly sanitised before entry and the drivers do not enter the poultry houses.
• Farm employees work only in assigned areas; they do not go to other areas of the farm.
• Dead birds are not carried from house to house.
• Poultry waste from other farms is never spread on the fields adjacent to my farm.
• I have instructed my employees and service personnel about poultry disease and on-farm prevention measures.

Score 1 point for each ‘yes’ answer.

• Household pets are kept away from the poultry buildings.
• I have implemented a fly control programme for my farm.
• I follow all company-implemented disease prevention measures on my farm.
• I regularly attend educational programmes to keep abreast of new developments in disease control.

----------- Total (Perfect score = 100)