Husbandry Procedures for Poultry

The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to describe the procedures associated with the husbandry of poultry housed at any ISU facility managed by Laboratory Animal Resources.  This SOP meets the standards described in the GUIDE For the Care and Used of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching (Ag Guide) and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide).  It is the responsibility of all LAR Animal Care/Veterinary Medical staff to read, understand, and follow this SOP.

PPE

Required PPE, as stated on each door card, is worn while working with poultry.

Housing

Poultry are grouped housed on the floor with contact bedding, on raised decks, in cages, or in brooders.  All housing is in accordance with the space requirements set by the Ag Guide and ILAR Guide.

Husbandry

A nutritionally balanced, age appropriate diet is fed ad libitum.  Tap water is offered ad libitum.  Fecal material found within the feeder is removed daily. Newspapers are changed 1-3 times per week or more often if needed for cages/brooders.  Any areas found within the cage/brooder/litter that are dirty or exceptionally wet are spot cleaned daily.  Litter, if used, is changed once a week.  Cages are sanitized at the end of the project.  Brooder temperature is monitored closely and gradually adjusted as poultry mature.  Turkey’s are removed from brooders at 10-14 days of age and chickens are removed at 14-21 days of age.  Eggs are removed daily.  Each room has a room sheet where daily notations are recorded.

Health

Poultry are observed daily by Animal Care staff and regularly by the Veterinary Medical staff for signs of illness, injury, or death.  Any abnormality found is documented on a clinical record card or designated notebook and is reported to the supervisor or medical staff as appropriate.

Animal Room

Animal rooms are kept at a temperature of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit and are set to a 12:12 light cycle.  If layers are being used the lights are set to an 18:6 light cycle with only one bulb used per fixture.  Room vents, floors, door frames, handles, sinks, carts, and barrels are disinfected at least once every two weeks. Rooms are sanitized when the project is over.