Mar 11
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Ostrich Farming Flock Security
In the context of ostrich farming, Flock Security in the Veterinary Health Plan (VHP) identifies areas that form a threat to the business from external sources. The introduction of disease is a major risk factor for any livestock farmer. This is of particular importance when starting an ostrich farm as all ostrich eggs and livestock have to enter the farm from external sources. The following are some areas that need consideration:
Isolation
New eggs or livestock entering the farm should be handled with care as this is a major risk factor for introducing disease. All incoming stock should be kept in isolation, away from stock already on site. For breeding stock, this should be for at least 28 days and, ideally, at least 500m from the main unit and all other ostrich. For growing and finishing stock, this may not be practical, but some effort should be made to reduce cross-contamination, for example, avoiding common air spaces and common dung passages.
Where animals are quarantined, a quarantine policy is required. This policy should contain information related to the length of the isolation period for any particular animal, the biosecurity measures to be undertaken and any appropriate veterinary treatments or procedures.
Every effort should be made to ensure any birds in isolation are in the company of other birds and never alone as ostrich do not like to be alone. A stressed bird is a risk factor to introducing disease.
Consistent Sources
Changing sources of stock should be avoided unless for pressing reasons, such as health problems or genetic improvement. The number of sources should also be kept to a minimum. Although flocks may be described as being of similar or the same health status, in practice this may not be the case for all potential infectious diseases, and some flock de-stabilisation may occur as a result of new stock entering. Generally eggs are a safer way of introducing new genetic lines rather than by live birds. Again, sources should be assured and regularly tested.
Visitors
There should be a written visitors’ policy, and a visitors’ book should be employed, though inessential visitors should be discouraged. The producer and the flock vet should decide, and record in the VHP, the degree of ostrich freedom required of visitors. The same policy should apply for contractors and their equipment. Visitors should record their previous ostrich contact and sign the book.
Conference Attendees Arriving At An Ostrich Farm
Similar policies should be established and recorded for feed delivery and livestock vehicles. As a general rule, all livestock vehicles should be spotlessly clean and empty on arrival.
Biosecurity
The biosecurity plan will form the foundation for ostrich farming disease control by creating reasonable methods to prevent bacterial contamination from farm to farm, from pen to pen or from one group of birds to another group of birds.
