STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES for QUARANTINE PROCEDURES FOR CHICKENS

COMPARATIVE MEDICINE LABORATORY ANIMAL FACILITIES

  1. Purpose:
    This procedure outlines quarantine and vendors of eggs and chickens acquired by the CM-LAF.
  2. Scope:
    This procedure applies to all CM-LAF personnel and principal investigators working with chickens and/or eggs.
  3. Procedure:
    All chickens, chicks, and chicken eggs must be ordered from approved vendors. Poultry are obtained from commercial poultry operations, which are certified free of Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza. Chicks and chickens must undergo a physical examination by the veterinary staff and complete a designated quarantine period upon arrival at the CM-LAF.
    1. Source of Poultry:
      1. Chicken eggs are obtained from:
        Dan D' Angelo
        677 Erie Avenue
        North Tonawanda, NY 14120
        or
        CBT Farms
        201 Valley Road
        Chestertown, MD 21620
      2. Baby Chicks are obtained from:
        CBT Farms
        201 Valley Road
        Chestertown, MD 21620
    2. Certificate of Health:
      1. CBT will submit a “Certificate of Veterinary Inspection” with each shipment of chicks. This will be submitted to the CM-LAF veterinarian for review and kept on file.
      2. Certificates will be dated from the most recent farm inspection.
      3. Either the USDA inspector or the farm's attending veterinarian will sign certificates.
    3. Quarantine Period:
      1. Each shipment of poultry will be housed separately and not mixed with other shipments or vendors.
      2. Poultry may be quarantined in an appropriate animal holding room in the animal facilities.
      3. During this time, animals will be monitored for signs of illness (coughing, diarrhea, respiratory distress, weakness, picking/scratching), behavior abnormalities, and appetite. Abnormalities will be reported to the veterinary staff.
      4. Quarantine will last for 5 days.
      5. Poultry may be "released" from quarantine pending an approved veterinary examination.
    4. Veterinary Examination:
      1. All poultry will receive an examination by the veterinary staff within 2 days of arrival.
      2. The following parameters will be evaluated:
        1. Fecal exam for parasites
        2. Feather exam for lice or mites
        3. Body weight
        4. Palpation of breast muscle and keel bone for overall body condition
        5. General overall visual inspection for signs of illness described above.
      3. Results of the evaluation and a copy of the farm health report will be appended to each chicken's medical file.
      4. Abnormalities on exam will be reported to the CM-LAF veterinarian and treated accordingly.
      5. CM-LAF veterinary technicians will inform the caretaking staff if poultry are healthy and can be released from quarantine.