Which ever you are in , the poultry business or just for a back yard hobby or wanting to start raising some birds .  Raising poultry can be fun and rewarding. Now you are looking to purchase something you need to get started or just time to purchase more supplies for the business. You need  new or used poultry supplies , feeders , waterers , incubators or hatching eggs . Here are some simple  factors you should be aware of to help you in your purchase for a clean healthy flock.

Sanitizing and Disinfecting

Rule of thumb . Even if you purchase new poultry supplies it is always best to at least clean them with some soap and water. Now you purchase some used feeders and waters and maybe a incubator .  You do not know what these supplies have been in contact with.

1. What causes disease in your birds?

2. Where does the disease organism come from?

3. How can I keep disease away from my birds or existing flock?

4. How important is it to keep your birds healthy?

5. How willing are you to do what it takes to keep your birds healthy?

Its very simple. Biosecurity or just simply always keep everything good and clean. When buying any used poultry supplies always Sanitize or Disinfect them with a good brand of sanitizer you can purchase this almost anywhere made for cleaning poultry products. Do this before you introduce these supplies to your flock.  

Hatching Eggs

Now we have everything else ready to go we need to purchase some eggs to hatch. Well I guess you do know that some bird diseases are transmitted from the mother bird to the egg. It is something to think about. You have a beautiful flock of birds that you have had know for 3 years and healthy as they come. Now you purchase a dozen eggs for hatching , you hatch them, things seem to be okay. Well a few have died and I dont really know why. Well its not serious or is it ? Now something has affected my intire flock. Now this is where purchasing eggs from a person that has a NPIP certified flock. ( National Poultry Improvement Plan - NPIP ) could have made a big difference. This program in administered by the USDA ( United States Department of Agriculture) Meaning that this person has meet the requirements . His flock has been tested for disease and his facility has passed inspection. He has a US Pullorum Clean facility. And his state makes periodic inspections and test at least 1 or 2 times a years.  So try to purchase eggs from a seller that particapates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan.

And remember. Keeping it clean makes for a healthy and happy flock.