Technical Service Personnel and allied trades (hatchery, feed, veterinarians, inspectors, government regulators, equipment representatives, etc.) serve an important function in poultry husbandry, trouble shooting, sales and communication but at the same time may pose a significant threat to the biosecurity of the farm and poultry industry. Movement from farm to farm is a requirement for technical service personnel.

Vehicles can potentially transmit poultry pathogens when manure containing disease agents is adhered to tires or the vehicle frame. The majority of poultry pathogens are spread by contaminated vehicles and the movement of people. For this reason, service personnel and allied trades should be particularly diligent in adhering to their biosecurity protocol. The producer should monitor this to ensure it is happening.

The following are recommended practices relating to truck traffic that would enhance biosecurity for egg collection, feed deliveries, and other supply deliveries on non-supply managed poultry operations:

Greet Service Vehicles At Primary Access Gate

• Vehicles and the drivers of the vehicles can potentially transmit poultry pathogens. Producers should meet all service trucks at the primary access gate and ensure that the allied trade protocols and the farm’s biosecurity protocols are followed.

Following an avian influenza outbreak, the BC Poultry Association (BCPA) leveraged the knowledge of both local practitioners and leading international experts to develop a comprehensive set of biosecurity standards and protocols in the following areas: barn management, bird management, visitor protocols, allied trade protocols, and emergency protocols. These were distributed to producers in all poultry sectors (chickens, broiler breeders, egg layers, turkeys, and non-regulated).  The allied trades include feed mills, hatcheries, processing plants, poultry hauling/catching companies, egg grading/processing stations, and layer breeders.  It would be very helpful if both you and any service providers are aware of these allied trade protocols.

Feed Delivery

• It would be ideal if feed truck drivers not have access to barns during deliveries.

Feed storage bins should be laid out to give clear, clean and dry access to feed delivery drivers. Feed should be delivered to the barn(s) away from the fan exhausts, to reduce the risk of airborne pathogens being introduced to the barn.

If at all possible given your regional circumstances, it is best to source feed from a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certified feed mill.

Designated Delivery Locations

• Delivery persons should be directed to set packages in a designated location away from the barn. The designated delivery location should be clearly marked.

Inspection Of Vehicles

• Vehicles can potentially transmit poultry pathogens when manure containing disease agents is adhered to tires or the vehicle frame. Producers should meet all service trucks at the primary access gate, which is recommended be locked. Service vehicles should be inspected before entering the Controlled Access Zone.

The majority of poultry pathogens are spread by contaminated vehicles and the movement of people. Producers should reject visibly dirty trucks and require them to be washed and disinfected prior to entering past the farm gate.

Service Driver Clothing

• Service truck drivers should be required to wear clean company coveralls and new disposable booties or rubber pull-ons for each delivery.