Avian influenza detected in Colorado
As of February 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in wild birds and poultry across many states. Learn more about HPAI detections in Colorado.
If you want to test your flock for avian influenza, please get in touch with us before submitting a sample. You can contact us at (970) 297-4008 or avianhealth@colostate.edu.
The Colorado Avian Health Program is the Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan in Colorado, and administers cooperative testing and certification for poultry breeding flocks, baby chicks, poults, hatching eggs, hatcheries, and dealers.
If you have a breeding flock, sell to other NPIP producers, move birds or hatching eggs over state lines (even just to go to a show), or participate in exhibition events, we recommend becoming an NPIP-certified flock.
To participate in the National Poultry Improvement Plan in Colorado, please contact us at avianhealth@colostate.edu or (970) 297-4008.
NPIP Certification
Chickens, game birds (pheasants, quail, partridge), waterfowl (ducks, geese), turkeys, and peafowl are tested as part of NPIP in Colorado. Pigeons are not part of the NPIP program.
To become NPIP certified, the following must be performed on your flock annually:
- Pullorum-typhoid blood testing on a percentage of birds in your flock up to 300 birds
- Avian influenza testing on a percentage of birds in your flock
- An inspection of your flock (for general health and husbandry) and your premises – coops, runs, hatcheries, and other areas where your poultry and poultry supplies are held – for general biosecurity and compliance with NPIP guidelines
Once your flock is certified, you are required to:
- Only purchase birds from other NPIP flocks and hatcheries (see list of NPIP participants by state)
- Maintain all bird purchases and sales paperwork (must be maintained for three years)
- Prior to sale or movement of birds, complete NPIP paperwork (form VS 9-3) when selling or travelling with birds or hatching eggs outside of Colorado (must be completed for every sale or movement that occurs)
- Maintain good biosecurity and disease prevention practices
- Follow all processes required by NPIP, including completion of any additional testing of birds or paperwork as necessary
Cost
There is no membership cost, but there is a fee for testing. Contact us for NPIP testing fees.
Recertification
Annual recertification testing typically takes place from April through September. Already registered participants will receive scheduling information for recertification. The NPIP participant must be present at the time of testing. All same-day cancellations or no-shows will be charge $100.
Contact
Colorado Avian Health Program
Phone: (970) 297-4008
Email: avianhealth@colostate.edu