If you own birds or know someone who does ... you need to read this! : you are the best protection your birds have

2005·0.17 MB·English

by  United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Historic, Archive Document
Do assume
not content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

Ag84Pro
you own birds
If
or know someone
who
does...
You need to
read this!
Youarethebestprotectionyourbirdshave.
LOOK
forSigns.
Knowthewarning signs of infectious bird
diseases.
•Sudden increase in bird deaths in yourflock
•Sneezing, gasping forair, coughing, and nasal
discharge
•Wateryand green diarrhea
•Lack ofenergyand poorappetite
•Drop in egg production orsoft- orthin-shelled,
misshapen eggs
•Swelling around the eyes, neck, and head
•Purple discoloration ofthewattles, combs, and
legs (Al)
•Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of
the head and neck, or lackof movement (END)
Earlydetection is importantto preventthe
spread ofdisease.
REPORT
SickBirds.
Don'twait. Ifyourbirdsares\ckordying, call
•Yourlocal cooperative extension office, or
•Localveterinarian, or
•The StateVeterinarian, or
•USDA-Veterinary Services'toll-free hotline
(1-866-536-7593).
PRACTICE
BackyardBiosecurity.
Protectyour birds:
•Limittrafficto and from your property.
• Ifvisitors have birdsoftheirown, do not let
them nearyourbirds.
•Wash handsthoroughly beforeenteringthe bird
area. Clean and disinfectyourshoes, clothes,
hands, egg trays, orflats often.
• Do notshare lav\/n and garden equipment, tools,
or poultrysupplies with yourneighbors orother
bird owners.
•Avoid visiting otherpoultryfarms or bird owners
when possible.
• Keep new birds separatefromthe restofyour
flock.
• Ifyou have been nearother birds orbird owners
(e.g., atafeed store), clean and disinfectcar
and trucktiresand wheel wells, poultrycages,
and equipment before going home.
You arethe bestprotectionyourbirds have.

WHY BE CONCERNED?
END (exotic Newcastle disease) isadeadly
diseasethatcan spread quicklyand kill mostbirds.
—
"Birdflu" (avian influenza Al) isacontagious
viral diseasethatcan infect manytypesof birds.
Notonly could an outbreak ofabirddiseasesuch
as END orthe highly pathogenicform ofAl harm
orkillyourbirds, itcould spread quicklyand kill
othernearby birds. Earlydetection and reporting
arethe most importantsteps in eradicating a
diseaseoutbreak.
Stateand Federalveterinarianswantto hearabout
sickand dying birds.
There is no chargefor U.S. Departmentof
Agriculture (USDA) veterinarianstoworkwith
you to conductadisease investigation.
For more information, visit
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs
on the Web.
^^
^^ UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture
^^^^1
Animaland PlantHealth InspectionService
USDAisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer.
ProgramAidNo.1804
IssuedFebruary2005.