Summary

Globally, avian influenza (AI) is a serious disease for commercial poultry industries. Water birds, particularly ducks, are the main reservoir for AI viruses. Various native species utilise habitat, shelter and food resources on Australian meat chicken farms, potentially contaminating poultry water supplies and production facilities. Humans, other wild birds and wildlife could potentially transfer AI viruses excreted in bird faeces into poultry sheds or range areas.
In line with current Chicken Meat Program research priorities (investigate economically important endemic diseases and develop better management tools; investigate biosecurity risks and develop mitigation options and strategies), this proposal focuses on gaining a better understanding of the wildlife – poultry conflict on meat chicken farms and aims to improve AI-related biosecurity and risk assessment modelling by demonstrating the utility of customised, cost-effective detection and deterrence systems on meat chicken farms.
The proposal addresses strategic government research priorities (lifting productivity and economic growth; securing Australia’s place in a changing world). The research will help fulfil the need for defensible, scientific assessment of proposed biosecurity strategies and provide confidence in moving forward.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Objective Summary

• Demonstrate the use of automated detect-and-deter systems for reducing wild bird activity in poultry production facilities to improve biosecurity.
• Develop and evaluate potential and cost-effectiveness of using new detection and ranging sensor technology (Leddar sensors) for detecting birds.
• Determine the most useful deterrent strategy for high AI-risk species.
• Demonstrate benefits of recording bird activity data for on-farm biosecurity purposes and AI-risk assessment modelling