NPIP = National Poultry Improvement Program. The contact for information and to set up testing is
Sarah M. Millonig
Colorado State University
Colorado Avian Disease Surveillance Program
Poultry Program Specialist
(970)297-4008
[email protected]
The main purpose of the program is protection of commercial flocks from Pullorum Typhoid and Avian Influenza, and some states also test for MG - Mycoplasma gallisepticum. NPIP certification is required for legal shipment of birds or eggs across state lines. Many ship without it, and the Post Office personnel rarely check, but if they do, and the birds or eggs have been shipped without certification, they can be confiscated or returned to the shipper, and fines may be levied against both the shipper and the receiver. It is rare, but I'm not willing to take the chance. I've only shipped eggs out of state a few times, and I don't think I'll ever be a big-time shipper of eggs, but prefer to know I'm safe to do so. I also don't expect to ever show much, if at all, but if I do I don't have to worry about the birds being tested on site, as they've already been tested as part of annual re-certification. While they are doing that testing they can also test for salmonella, which I did the first year, and all birds were clean.
The cost for annual testing is $12, and the additional test for salmonella was, I believe, $15. Cheap peace of mind. The people who do the testing are easy to work with, good with birds, and are not allowed to have birds of their own. They suit up to prevent cross contamination of flocks, and are incredibly fast.
Sarah M. Millonig
Colorado State University
Colorado Avian Disease Surveillance Program
Poultry Program Specialist
(970)297-4008
[email protected]
The main purpose of the program is protection of commercial flocks from Pullorum Typhoid and Avian Influenza, and some states also test for MG - Mycoplasma gallisepticum. NPIP certification is required for legal shipment of birds or eggs across state lines. Many ship without it, and the Post Office personnel rarely check, but if they do, and the birds or eggs have been shipped without certification, they can be confiscated or returned to the shipper, and fines may be levied against both the shipper and the receiver. It is rare, but I'm not willing to take the chance. I've only shipped eggs out of state a few times, and I don't think I'll ever be a big-time shipper of eggs, but prefer to know I'm safe to do so. I also don't expect to ever show much, if at all, but if I do I don't have to worry about the birds being tested on site, as they've already been tested as part of annual re-certification. While they are doing that testing they can also test for salmonella, which I did the first year, and all birds were clean.
The cost for annual testing is $12, and the additional test for salmonella was, I believe, $15. Cheap peace of mind. The people who do the testing are easy to work with, good with birds, and are not allowed to have birds of their own. They suit up to prevent cross contamination of flocks, and are incredibly fast.
