How Do Farms Prevent Bird Flu? Inside Our Everyday Poultry Biosecurity Routine

Bird flu, also called avian influenza, has been making headlines again, and it is natural to wonder what that means for the chicken on your table. The good news is that farms are not powerless against it. Most bird flu prevention on farms comes down to steady, everyday habits that keep the virus from ever reaching the flock.

The risk tends to rise in fall and winter, when migrating wild birds travel long distances and can carry the virus without looking sick. European food safety authorities recorded close to 8,000 outbreaks between October 2025 and June 2026, and found that most infections on poultry farms came from indirect contact with wild birds. That is exactly why the small, consistent choices a farm makes every day matter so much.

What Is Bird Flu and How Does It Reach a Poultry Farm?

Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects poultry and wild water birds. Infected birds shed the virus through saliva, nasal discharge and droppings, and it can survive on surfaces long enough to hitch a ride onto a farm.

As this guide to farm biosecurity and bird flu risk explains, the virus can travel in on wild birds, people, vehicles, equipment, feed, water, clothing and footwear. Understanding those pathways is the first step in learning how farms prevent bird flu in chickens, because every good biosecurity habit is designed to close one of those doors.

How Do Farms Prevent Bird Flu? Our Four Daily Biosecurity Habits

Poultry biosecurity simply means the practices that keep germs away from birds. The USDA's Defend the Flock program describes it as an every day, every time effort, and that is how we approach it at Solomon Farms. Here are the four habits at the heart of our routine.

1. Farm Hygiene and Boot-Washing Practices for Poultry Biosecurity

One of the most common ways bird flu spreads is on the bottom of a shoe. Droppings from an infected wild bird can be picked up in a parking lot or field and carried straight into a coop. That is why we use boot-washing practices before entering the poultry area, and why we keep housing, tools and equipment clean on a regular schedule. It is a simple step, and it is one of the most effective biosecurity measures for poultry farms of any size.

2. Protecting Chicken Feed from Wild Birds

Wild birds are drawn to spilled grain and open feeders, and once they visit, they can leave the virus behind in what our chickens eat and drink. We take deliberate steps to keep wild birds away from chicken feed by storing it securely, cleaning up spills and keeping feeding areas protected. Guarding feed and water is a quiet but powerful part of avian influenza prevention, because it cuts off one of the most direct routes the virus can take.

3. Daily Flock Health Checks to Spot Signs of Bird Flu Early

We walk through and check on our flock every day. Knowing what normal looks like for our birds makes it much easier to notice when something changes. The signs of bird flu in chickens that any flock owner should watch for include:

• sudden, unexplained deaths

• a drop in appetite, water intake or egg production

• lack of energy, swelling around the head, or nasal discharge

Catching changes early allows a farm to act quickly, contact animal health officials and protect the rest of the flock.

4. Why Poultry Farms Limit Visitors During Bird Flu Season

We love sharing our farm, but every visitor who has been near other birds can unknowingly bring germs with them. That is why poultry farms limit visitors, especially during peak bird flu season. We keep unnecessary traffic away from the poultry area, and anyone who does need to be near the birds follows the same hygiene steps we do. It is not about keeping people out; it is about keeping the flock well.

Is Farm-Raised Chicken Safe to Eat During a Bird Flu Outbreak?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer is reassuring. Health and agriculture authorities agree that the risk of people catching bird flu during poultry outbreaks is very low, and that properly handled and cooked chicken is safe to eat.

Cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F kills bacteria and viruses, including bird flu.

Michigan State University Extension shares simple safe food practices for handling poultry, such as using a food thermometer, keeping raw chicken away from other foods and washing hands after handling it. Freezing alone does not destroy the virus, so thorough cooking is what makes the difference.

Responsible farming adds another layer of confidence. When a farm protects its flock with strong biosecurity, the chicken that reaches your kitchen starts from a healthier place.

Healthy Food Starts with Responsible Farming

We believe good food begins with the care we give our animals. Boot washes, protected feed, daily checks and thoughtful visitor policies may seem like small details, but together they form the foundation of a healthy chicken flock.

If you want chicken raised with that kind of attention, you can learn more about how we farm at Solomon Farms. Restaurants, grocers and other businesses can also order farm-fresh chicken through our wholesale page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do farms prevent bird flu in chickens?

Farms prevent bird flu through biosecurity: cleaning and disinfecting equipment, using boot washes, keeping wild birds away from feed and water, limiting visitors, and checking the flock daily for signs of illness. These habits work together to stop the virus from entering the farm.

Can you get bird flu from eating chicken?

The risk is very low when chicken is handled and cooked properly. Cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F kills the bird flu virus, so washing your hands, avoiding cross-contamination and using a food thermometer keep your meals safe.

Why do poultry farms limit visitors during bird flu season?

Visitors can carry the virus on their shoes, clothing or vehicles without knowing it, especially if they have been near other birds. Limiting unnecessary visitors reduces the chances of disease-causing organisms reaching the flock.

How do farmers keep wild birds away from chicken feed?

Farmers store feed in sealed containers, clean up spilled grain promptly and keep feeders and water sources protected or indoors. Removing easy food sources makes the farm far less attractive to wild birds.

Where can backyard flock owners in Memphis get help with bird flu prevention or testing?

In Memphis and the rest of Shelby County, the local UT Extension office is a good first stop for practical biosecurity advice. Sick birds or unusual deaths should be reported to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's animal health team at Animal.Health@tn.gov, or to the USDA's sick bird line at 866-536-7593, and state officials will arrange testing through the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. If you are in Memphis and simply want chicken raised with careful biosecurity, keep an eye on our updates for where you can find Solomon Farms chicken near you.