NPIP Question

[Poultrybreeder]

Hello! Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I was just wondering, if you become NPIP certified, can you still allow people on your property? Or are you closed off to the public after that? Thanks!

 

[DiYMama540]

Great question! I would love to hear more of what it means to be NPIP certified!

 

[JadeFarms]

@DiYMama540
Agreed!

 

[Folly's place]

NPIP regs vary by state, and you can look them up for where you live. Also the testing varies by state, so look it up.
Mary

 

[333113]

NPIP is a state-national program, and states do have differing ways of promoting it. Here in Missouri, for example, I don't have to pay for testing, and you will find most Missouri shows have someone available to test the birds on arrival at the show. Other states require paying the tester, or going to a veterinarian.

You might want to check the website for the program at
http://poultryimprovement.org

You will see that a lot of the visitor rules have to do with biosecurity. In the most extreme case, you don't want someone with sick birds to visit and handle your birds. But we all share the same air, mosquitoes, etc., so exposure happens.

The NPIP brochures have good suggestions for keeping birds disease-free, but you can tell by reading them that the focus is on large-scale flocks, not so much backyard breeders or raisers. You have to figure out what applies to your situation. I have about 250 chickens and ducks on average, more in spring, less in winter, so I am not at all in the same size league as Tyson or Cargill. Most backyarders have flocks much smaller than mine. My state inspector suggests doing as much as you can, practically, to keep your flock free of disease. If there are reports of diseases nearby, then you can step up the biosecurity.

The program requires all poultry to be tested in the initial inspection, and a percent of them the next year. Also, new birds are tested before joining the flock. I maintain a few "quarantine" cages isolated from the rest of the flock for new birds or birds that have gone to shows. I personally like having my birds tested and an inspector to validate that I am making good sanitation decisions. I do restrict visitors to the chicken areas, and I require handwashing before and after visits. I keep separate clothes and boots for working with the chickens (feeding, watering, cleaning up, etc.).

I go to a lot of shows too, and I like the peace of mind knowing that the birds have been tested ahead of time.

I know some people think that the sanitation advice is overkill. But, honestly, who would really want me to go straight from shoveling poop in the barn to shaking their hand at the grocery store? Most of the biosecurity and sanitation is just good common sense.

 

[DiYMama540]

Thank you @ConnieA!

 

[JadeFarms]

NPIP is a state-national program, and states do have differing ways of promoting it. Here in Missouri, for example, I don't have to pay for testing, and you will find most Missouri shows have someone available to test the birds on arrival at the show. Other states require paying the tester, or going to a veterinarian.

You might want to check the website for the program at
http://poultryimprovement.org

You will see that a lot of the visitor rules have to do with biosecurity. In the most extreme case, you don't want someone with sick birds to visit and handle your birds. But we all share the same air, mosquitoes, etc., so exposure happens.

The NPIP brochures have good suggestions for keeping birds disease-free, but you can tell by reading them that the focus is on large-scale flocks, not so much backyard breeders or raisers. You have to figure out what applies to your situation. I have about 250 chickens and ducks on average, more in spring, less in winter, so I am not at all in the same size league as Tyson or Cargill. Most backyarders have flocks much smaller than mine. My state inspector suggests doing as much as you can, practically, to keep your flock free of disease. If there are reports of diseases nearby, then you can step up the biosecurity.

The program requires all poultry to be tested in the initial inspection, and a percent of them the next year. Also, new birds are tested before joining the flock. I maintain a few "quarantine" cages isolated from the rest of the flock for new birds or birds that have gone to shows. I personally like having my birds tested and an inspector to validate that I am making good sanitation decisions. I do restrict visitors to the chicken areas, and I require handwashing before and after visits. I keep separate clothes and boots for working with the chickens (feeding, watering, cleaning up, etc.).

I go to a lot of shows too, and I like the peace of mind knowing that the birds have been tested ahead of time.

I know some people think that the sanitation advice is overkill. But, honestly, who would really want me to go straight from shoveling poop in the barn to shaking their hand at the grocery store? Most of the biosecurity and sanitation is just good common sense.

Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

The minimum test run is for Salmonella pullorum, a nasty disease that's almost gone in the USA, because of the testing program. Some states add other tests to their programs, all improvements, IMO. And biosecurity matters for all of our flocks!
Mary