Biosecurity Measures – Standard Operating Procedure

• A biosecurity signboard stating “Unauthorized Access Restricted” shall be prominently displayed at the main farm entrance.
• Lime powder shall be applied at the farm gate/entry point to ensure that the footwear of all employees and visitors comes into direct contact with the disinfectant barrier upon entry.
• A visitor register/logbook shall be maintained to record the name, purpose, and duration of each visit.
• The farm-visit history of all visitors shall be collected and verified to ensure they have not visited any suspected or confirmed disease-affected farms within the last three days.
• Detailed farm-visit history shall be mandatorily recorded for high-risk personnel such as vaccinators, debeaking teams, grading crews, and service technicians.
• An In-Pass/Out-Pass system shall be maintained to document the movement of all materials, equipment, and supplies entering or leaving the farm.
• Entry of outside vehicles, including visitor vehicles, into the farm premises shall be strictly prohibited.
• All vehicles and equipment permitted to enter the farm shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using spray foggers, vehicle dips, and foot dips.
• Disinfectant footbaths shall be provided at the farm gate and at the entrance of each shed, with regular replacement of disinfectant solutions to maintain effectiveness.
• Unnecessary visitor entry shall be avoided. In unavoidable circumstances, visitors shall be provided with separate footwear or disposable slippers before entering the premises.
• Handwashing facilities shall be installed and maintained at the entrance of each poultry shed.
• During disease outbreaks, manure removal vehicles and cull bird transport vehicles shall not be allowed to enter the farm premises.
• Litter removal shall be avoided during periods of high mortality or active disease to prevent cross-contamination.
• All-weather road connectivity up to the farm premises shall be ensured to facilitate controlled movement without compromising biosecurity.
• A minimum distance of 50–60 feet shall be maintained between two sheds to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
• Waterlogging within the farm premises shall be prevented and shed floors shall be maintained at an adequate height above ground level.
• All water storage tanks, including drinking water tanks, fogger tanks, spray tanks, and sprinkler tanks, shall be kept closed at all times.
• Entry of stray animals and wild birds shall be strictly restricted. Birds subjected to post-mortem examination shall be disposed of hygienically in designated disposal pits.
• Eggs shall be stored in a separate godown located outside the farm premises to avoid entry of external vehicles into the biosecure zone.
• Paper egg trays shall be preferred during disease outbreaks to minimize contamination and avoid reuse.
• Summer management practices shall be implemented rigorously without compromise to reduce heat stress and immune suppression.
• Feed and medicines shall be stored under appropriate conditions to prevent moisture damage, contamination, spillage, and deterioration of quality.
• Following flock culling, thorough cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection of sheds and equipment shall be carried out as per protocol.
• An adequate “shed rest” period shall be observed before placement of a new flock.
• Vaccination programs shall be implemented strictly in accordance with the recommendations of breeders and poultry consultants.
• Feed silos, conveyor feeding systems, and feeders shall be cleaned and sanitized at regular intervals as per standard protocols.
• Aerial disinfection inside sheds shall be carried out 2–3 times per week, depending on the disease risk in and around the farm.
• Disinfectant spraying (e.g., phenols, bleaching compounds) shall be performed regularly around each shed up to a distance of 6–8 feet from the shed walls.
• Farm personnel shall visit young and healthy flocks first, followed by older flocks, and diseased flocks last.
• Infected birds and contaminated materials shall be kept strictly separate from healthy birds, and proper hand and foot sanitation shall be followed before entering healthy sheds.
• Medicines and vaccines shall be routinely checked for expiry or near-expiry and managed accordingly.
• Sudden changes in feed or environmental conditions shall be avoided to minimize stress.
• Farm personnel shall avoid direct contact with secretions and excretions of affected flocks.
• Entry of wild birds, domestic animals, pets, and local birds into the farm premises shall be completely prevented.
• Biofilm formation in nipple drinker lines shall be routinely checked and removed using appropriate water sanitizers.
• Drinking water quality shall be periodically tested for pH, E. coli contamination, hardness, and ORP, and suitable water acidifiers and sanitizers shall be used as required.
• Mycotoxin risks shall be managed through the use of high-quality toxin binders to prevent immunosuppression.
• Used vaccine vials and biomedical waste shall not be discarded within or around the farm and shall be disposed of safely away from the premises.
• Stress‑reduction strategies, including supplementation with Organic Chromium, Vitamin C, and 1,3 β glucans, may be used to enhance immune resilience.
• Birds shall be monitored daily for abnormal signs and symptoms to minimize mortality and production losses.
• Routine disease monitoring, including post-mortem examinations and periodic serological antibody assays, shall be conducted to assess flock health and immune status.
• Farm veterinarians or farm managers shall be immediately informed in case of abnormal mortality or disease suspicion.
• Flies, insects (including beetles), rats, and mice shall be controlled effectively through an integrated pest management program.
• Dead birds shall never be kept inside sheds and shall be removed immediately.
• Carcasses shall be disposed of by incineration or burial in designated disposal pits located at least 200 yards away from the farm premises.
• Post-mortem rooms and examination areas shall be disinfected thoroughly after use, and lime powder shall be applied as appropriate.
• Feed bags shall be stored in crates with adequate spacing and ventilation.
• FIFO (First‑In, First‑Out) principles shall be strictly followed for all materials, including feed, medicines, and vaccines.
• Hand sanitizers shall be available inside sheds for immediate use after bird handling.
• After handling birds or coming into contact with secretions or excretions, handlers shall wash hands with soap and apply hand sanitizer.
• Rearing of country birds or free-range birds, especially ducks, shall be strictly prohibited in and around the farm premises.

Conclusion

A well-planned farm and management system requires strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures covering shed design, biosecurity, rearing practices, and record-keeping. Consistent implementation of these biosecurity measures ensures optimal bird health, uniform productivity, reduced mortality, and reliable operational and research outcomes.