October Farming Twilight Meeting

State officials are urging backyard poultry owners to strengthen their biosecurity practices following a series of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detections across New Jersey earlier this year.

Between February and May 2025, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) confirmed HPAI at eight locations, including two backyard flocks in Salem and Atlantic counties, and six live bird markets. The virus, which is highly contagious and often fatal to domestic poultry, has also been found in wild birds across 16 counties, most recently in black vultures in Somerset County, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

As Fall migration season begins, state officials warn that interactions between wild birds and backyard flocks may increase, thus raising the risk of transmission. These interactions include: direct contact and/or the sharing of waterers, feeders, or swimming areas. This kind of direct exposure can be a potential source of disease transmission to domestic poultry, especially because HPAI can spread through contact with infected birds’ bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces like feeders, waterers, shoes, and equipment. Backyard poultry flocks in New Jersey are particularly at risk due to their smaller size and frequent exposure to wild birds or their droppings.

Strong biosecurity practices are key to protecting poultry from infection, and the NJDA is urging all poultry owners (including farms with multiple species, like poultry and ruminants) to stay vigilant and implement strict biosecurity protocols. Multi-species farms should evaluate and strengthen biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of cross-species disease transmission. Key biosecurity steps include securing housing against wildlife, reducing environmental attractants like standing water and uncovered feed, limiting human and equipment traffic, and regularly disinfecting surfaces and tools. Separate clothing and footwear for poultry care, or the use of disposable boot covers, is also recommended. The NJDOH also recommends wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling sick or dead birds. PPE can be obtained through a request to your local Rutgers Cooperative Extension county office.

The NJDA, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and other partners, continues to monitor and respond to the H5N1 threat. HPAI is a reportable disease, so suspected cases must be reported to the NJDA Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400. For wild bird mitigation support, contact USDA Wildlife Services at 908-735-5654.

As a reminder, signs of HPAI in poultry include:

• Sudden death
• Reduced appetite or water intake
• Coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge
• Swelling around the eyes or face
• Open-mouth breathing
• Discolored combs or legs
• Drop in egg production
• Lethargy

For more information, including additional resources regarding biosecurity plans, please refer to the memo from Dr. Amar Patil, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVM, Director of the Division of Animal Health/State Veterinarian: 2025 HPAI Letter to BYF Poultry Owners_SEPT