It's great to see folks starting up addressing bio-security. I have a TON of info and links from my FB page worth spending the time reading - really. Couple of things. First of all ALL NPIP checks for is Pullorium/Typhoid - maybe AI IF requested, it should NOT be relied on to guarantee birds clear of ANYTHING else. MS/MG/CRD are epidemic and MOST flocks are not clear of it. At this juncture poultry officials have taken the position of breeding for resistance rather than depopulating. So all these people asking about their birds having a cold, sniffles, bubbly eyes - it's more than likely one of those three. More experienced breeders tend on the whole to accept it and keep their mouths shut. A very few are taking heroic measures attempting to keep flocks clear. There is effective treatment, Denagard w or without LA200 that may or may not be able to prevent creations of carriers. Even hatching eggs can include unwanted bonus's so learn about warm/cold tylan dipping them. More on all this and more on my page.
Wind can carry disease up to a MILE or MORE. Feed sacks, wild birds and rodents, tires, shoes, clothing and even your hair can carry for up to 3 days. Simply put there is only so much you can do and you will still have risk. Not allowing people where your birds are will help. Quarantine is a must. Practicing bio-security will help ALOT. Educating yourself, testing, treating and culling when necessary will help keep your flock healthier - but still no guarantee.
Mareks and coccidia can live in the soil for years - fortunately vaccines and treatment are effective. Important to note IF chicks are immunized do NOT feed medicated feed as they will cancel each other out. Most everything else will only last a day to a few months. Sunshine is very effective, peroxide is a good second, oxcine third and bleach or amonia bring up the rear.
Worm your birds at least twice a year, a month apart each time - not 10 days. South of I70 monthly is not too often. Pumpkin, DE, ACV all that good stuff has it's uses - and while it may help with retarding infestation will NOT effectively worm your birds. Safegard drench or even horse wormer paste will work on everything but tape worms unless the Gold formula. Ivomectin will do some internal parasites but works well for mites. Valbazin worms over a 3+ day period so if never worming before or heavy infestation helps avoid dead fall of worms blocking up birds and potentially killing them. Wazine only treats round worms but it's safe to use on chicks for first wormings.
Anyway, hope folks find the info helpful.
