A new calendar could help many of America’s backyard poultry owners keep their birds safe from diseases such as avian influenza. The free 2010 calendar is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

As hobby farming and raising poultry grow in popularity, experts say it’s become increasingly important for poultry owners to protect their birds from diseases. USDA’s 2010 Backyard Biosecurity calendar provides useful tips and information for owners.

Avian influenza viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and other birds. By practicing good hygiene when taking care of birds and poultry, owners can reduce the risk of disease-causing germs going to or coming from their farm or home.

Such things as thoroughly washing hands before entering a bird area and before working with a birds and cleaning and disinfecting equipment that comes in contact with birds will help keep disease away.

The calendar has information on spotting signs of sick birds and photos of birds with Avian influenza, which can strike poultry quickly. Knowing what to look for will help bird owners: A lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks; purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs; nasal discharge; coughing and sneezing; stumbling or diarrhea could indicate disease.

To protect the U.S. poultry population, USDA quarantines and tests live birds imported into the United States to ensure that they do not have any foreign animal diseases.

The Backyard Biosecurity calendar is available free of charge. Interested poultry owners can order the calendar online at www.aphis.usda.gov/ animal_health/birdbiosecurity.

This article provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.