Biosecurity is the only effective defense against avian influenza. There are no feed or water additives that prevent or treat the virus, so strict prevention practices are essential to protect your flock of poultry.
What is Avian Influenza?
Avian Influenza (AI) has been a major concern in the poultry industry for a number of years. There are two primary strains of avian influenza – low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI). Birds infected with Low Pathogenic AI may become ill, but they usually recover. The real danger is when birds are infected with Highly Pathogenic AI. This is a severe, very contagious, and usually fatal strain of AI.
How Do I Prevent Avian Influenza in My Flock?
Biosecurity is your #1 defense against avian influenza. Once a flock has been exposed to avian influenza, there is nothing you can feed to your birds or put in their water that can treat the virus. Preventing exposure is paramount to protection.
Is There Anything I Can Do To Keep My Flock Healthy During Challenges?
There are no feed or water additives that can prevent or treat Avian Influenza. However, there are products that we can use to help support the overall health of our flock. Just like we, as humans, try to take preventative measures to keep ourselves healthy, chickens can benefit from those same preventative measures.
Good Nutrition Fuels the Body.
Good nutrition is arguably the most important step that you can take to keep your flock strong and healthy. A high-quality, properly-balanced diet is fuel for every single function and structure in your bird’s body. This includes the digestive tract, the reproductive tract where eggs are formed, and the immune system. Vitamins A, D, and E are essential nutrients for immune function and health. B vitamins provide support for energy and production. Selenium and other essential trace minerals support cell health and keep your body functioning efficiently. A high-quality complete poultry feed will provide all of these nutrients in the correct proportions. Remember, most nutrients need some help from their friends to be used efficiently - calcium needs Vitamin D, Vitamin E needs selenium, etc. Having these nutrients in the correct proportions is paramount to proper functionality.
Gut Health is Directly Related to Your Immune System.
We have all heard the terms “gut health” and “healthy microbiome.” Focusing on gut health is a great way to help support your flock’s immune system before periods of stress or challenges. LifeGuard® for Poultry is a proprietary blend of prebiotics, probiotics, essential oils, and digestive enzymes that focus on supporting a healthy gut. Anytime you know your flock may be challenged or stressed, LifeGuard is available as a support supplement and can easily be used in conjunction with your complete feed. At Kalmbach Feeds, we understand the importance of focusing on gut health from the very start. That is why most of our Kalmbach poultry feeds contain LifeGuard. LifeGuard is one of the best tools that we can use to support the immune system of your flock. When needed, the LifeGuard for Poultry supplement can safely be used in conjunction with a Kalmbach complete poultry feed that also contains LifeGuard.
Essential Oils Support Immune Function.
Essential oils are also a popular supplement used to support immune function in both humans and poultry. Oregano oil is arguably the most recognized and well researched essential oil that is available in agriculture today. Oregano oil contains two active compounds that provide most of the functional benefit– carvacrol and thymol. The oils from these active compounds can be extracted from oregano and distilled into a powerful product that really supports the health and function of your flock. The essential oils in oregano are powerful antioxidants, but they are also gentle enough to be used on a daily basis.
Kalmbach Oregano Oil is a product that we recommend all poultry keepers have on hand. It is a water additive that can be used at low levels on an everyday basis. Moreover, Kalmbach Oregano Oil can be added to the water at higher levels during times of stress or challenge to help support the immune system of your flock. If you’re a keep-it-simple poultry keeper, it’s still a good idea to have some Kalmbach Oregano Oil in your pantry just in case your flock needs some support during those challenging and stressful times.
Do These Supplements Treat or Prevent Avian Influenza?
No. There are no feed or water additives that can prevent or treat Avian Influenza. The aforementioned products fuel the body and support overall immune function. However, prevention through biosecurity is the best defense against AI.
What Are the Signs of Avian Influenza?
Signs of Avian Influenza
- Sudden death without any prior symptoms of illness
- Lack of energy and appetite
- A drop in egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs
- Swelling of the eyelids, comb, wattles, and shanks
- Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
- Gasping for air (difficulty breathing)
- Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing
- Twisting of the head and neck (torticollis)
- Stumbling or falling down
- Diarrhea
How Do I Prevent Avian Influenza in My Flock?
Avian Influenza is a virus and is spread through direct bird-to-bird contact. The primary carrier of avian influenza is wild birds, but domesticated birds with the virus can also infect neighboring flocks. Any contact with droppings, feathers, dander, bedding, used egg cartons, cages, or common areas has the potential to spread the virus.
How to Prevent Avian Influenza
- Avoid contact with wild birds.
- Keep your flock away from areas where wild birds congregate (ponds, fields, bird feeders, nesting areas, etc.). Direct contact with manure or dander from wild birds can spread AI.
- Keep feeders, waterers, and poultry blocks in secure areas that do not attract wild birds or pests.
- Avoid sharing equipment with other poultry keepers
- Sharing cages, transportation equipment, feeders, waterers, incubators, or egg cartons with other poultry keepers may inadvertently expose your flock to infected dander or respiratory secretions. Any shared equipment, including vehicles, should be thoroughly washed and sanitized prior to use.
- Follow quarantine recommendations.
- If you decide to add a new member to your flock, make sure to quarantine any new birds for at least 30 days so you can observe for any signs of illness.
- If you decide to add a new member to your flock, make sure to quarantine any new birds for at least 30 days so you can observe for any signs of illness.
- Keep dedicated boots and clothing.
- Disinfect your boots and clothing on a regular basis. Have a pair of boots that are used only to tend your flock. Don’t wear them to other farms or in public. Wash your hands and disinfect your boots every time you work with your flock.
Building a Reliable Feeding Program
A reliable feeding program supports flock health while reinforcing strong biosecurity practices. Consistency in nutrition helps birds maintain body condition and immune function, but how and where you feed matters just as much as what you feed.
Start with a complete, properly balanced poultry feed that meets your birds’ life stage and production needs. Store feed in sealed containers to prevent contamination from rodents, wild birds, and moisture. Clean feeders and waterers regularly to reduce the buildup of droppings, dirt, and debris that could harbor pathogens. Always remove wet or spoiled feed promptly.
Position feeders and waterers in covered runs or secure areas where wild birds cannot access them. Avoid placing feed near ponds, open fields, or other locations where wild waterfowl gather. Limiting exposure to outside birds is one of the most essential biosecurity steps you can take.
Maintain dedicated equipment for your flock. Do not share feeders, buckets, or scoops with neighboring poultry keepers. Disinfect footwear before and after entering the coop area, and wash hands thoroughly after handling birds or equipment.
When combined with strict biosecurity, a consistent feeding routine helps support overall flock health and reduces unnecessary risk.
Keeping poultry is such a wonderful experience, and the rewards are many! At Kalmbach Feeds, we are always here to help. If you have any questions about the nutrient needs of your birds, feed options, or general poultry keeping, please let us know. We are so excited to continue writing about all of the topics that are important to you, and can’t wait to continue learning about your flocks. Stay tuned, and thank you for choosing Kalmbach Feeds!
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