Last Modified: February 22, 2026

The Defend the Flock Resource Center brings together biosecurity information and free resources from USDA and other experts, including growers, veterinarians, State agencies, scientists, and industry professionals. All the information you need to practice good biosecurity is available here, including checklists, resource guides, videos, and more.

Schedule a Free Biosecurity Assessment Today

USDA offers two free, voluntary assessments for poultry operations with 500+ birds. We identify simple, practical steps you can take right away to strengthen biosecurity at your facility. We also cover up to 75 percent of the costs to fix the highest-risk biosecurity gaps identified. 

Even small changes can make a big difference in keeping your birds healthy. Learn more and schedule your assessment today.

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USDA offers two free biosecurity assessments for commercial poultry operations, and producers may request one or both. During an on-farm visit, USDA-trained staff will identify actionable steps and repairs you can implement right away to strengthen your operation’s defenses against HPAI. 

Learn more about USDA’s biosecurity assessments, including eligibility, how to request an assessment, cost-sharing opportunities, and additional resources. 

Types

  1. Wildlife Biosecurity Assessment: Identify wildlife-related risks and receive recommendations for facility repairs and wildlife-management improvements through a series of regular engagements between APHIS Wildlife Services staff and facility owners or managers.
  2. Biosecurity Incentive-Focused Assessment: Review your biosecurity plan and on-farm practices to help prevent disease from entering your operation in collaboration with APHIS Veterinary Services. 

Visit Biosecurity Assessments

Download Factsheet: Helping Producers Prevent HPAI in Commercial Poultry Flocks 

Watch Webinar: Double Down on Biosecurity—Best Practices and Biosecurity Assessments

Eligibility

Both assessments are open to commercial poultry producers not currently affected by HPAI. 

Cost-Sharing

USDA will share up to 75 percent of the costs to fix the highest-risk biosecurity concerns identified by the assessments.

Our reimbursement process is now faster and more transparent. Completing these assessments does not affect indemnity eligibility if a flock becomes infected.

Visit Indemnity and Compensation

Request an Assessment Today

To request one or both of the assessments described above, email poultry.biosecurity@usda.gov or call 844-820-2234. 

These checklists will help you practice good biosecurity—every day, every time.

Download the full suite of checklists available in each language:

Browse the checklists by topic and language:

Biosecurity Basics

Healthy Harry Video Series

  • Healthy Harry: Live Bird Market - Learn how to keep your flock safe when buying or visiting birds at live bird markets. This Healthy Harry video introduces students to the risks and responsibilities of live bird market visits, reinforcing biosecurity awareness.
  • Healthy Harry: Top Biosecurity Tips - Discover simple steps you can take every day to protect your birds from getting sick. This Healthy Harry videos provides foundational instruction in biosecurity best practices to defend your flock.
  • Healthy Harry: Learn NPIP Basics - Discover how joining NPIP can help protect your flock and connect you to a bigger poultry community. This Healthy Harry Video introduces students to national-level disease prevention programs and encourages responsible bird ownership.
  • Healthy Harry: Keep it Clean - Learn how a clean coop helps keep your birds strong, safe, and healthy. This Healthy Harry video teaches young farmers the importance of sanitation as a key part of poultry health and biosecurity.
  • Healthy Harry: Healthy Flocks Rock! - Learn how to safely bring new or returning birds into your flock without spreading disease. This Healthy Harry video reinforces biosecurity and quarantine principles with easy-to-follow steps for managing changes in your flock.
  • Healthy Harry: Signs of Illness - Know the early warning signs so you can act fast and protect your flock. This Healthy Harry video helps young farmers develop observation and animal care skills to keep their flocks healthy.

Archived Videos

Download social media graphics and animated GIFs below. Stay up to date on biosecurity and follow the Defend the Flock campaign on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

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Animated GIFs

Double Down on Biosecurity: Preventing Bird Flu in Poultry (January 2026)

Transcript

English Spanish

Questions and Answers

English Spanish

Previous Webinars

DateTitleTranscriptQuestions and Answers
April 2025From Backyard To Barnyard: Biosecurity for Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm

English (166.92 KB)

Spanish (188.96 KB)

English (218.9 KB)

Spanish (184.17 KB)

March 2024Biosecurity on a Budget: Pro Tips to Protect Your Poultry 

English (210.48 KB)

Spanish (284.24 KB)

Questions and Answers (90.34 KB)
February 2023Navigating Avian Influenza: Your Questions Answered 

English (234.28 KB)

Spanish (365.08 KB)

 
September 2022Navigating Avian Influenza: From Prevention to Recovery 

English (209.55 KB)

Spanish (194.46 KB)

Questions and Answers (235.09 KB)
September 2021Defend the Flock: Preventing Avian Influenza Introductions—Focus on the Big Risks 

English (113.18 KB)

Spanish (91.89 KB)

Questions and Answers (292.45 KB)
March 2022Defend the Flock: Healthy Flocks, Healthy Families 

English (167.13 KB)

Spanish (196.62 KB)

Questions and Answers (212.91 KB)
February 2021Defend the Flock: How Avian Influenza Affects Us All 

English (162.29 KB)

Spanish (175.5 KB)

Questions and Answers (199.34 KB)
October 2020Defend the Flock, Controlling Salmonella in Commercial Poultry Through Biosecurity 

English (143.18 KB)

Spanish (164.08 KB)

Questions and Answers (119 KB)
February 2020Defend Your Flock From Poultry Disease: Know the Signs and How To Respond

English (124.3 KB)

Spanish (128.86 KB)

Questions and Answers (169.98 KB)
November 2019Steps for Success: Your NPIP Biosecurity Audit 

English (108.1 KB)

Spanish (121.31 KB)

Questions and Answers (149.22 KB)
April 2019Biosecurity Basics and Beyond: Tools To Defend Your Flock

English (107.11 KB)

Spanish (110.42 KB)

Questions and Answers (192.19 KB)
November 2018Let's Keep Our Poultry Healthy Together 

English (106.36 KB)

Spanish (43.08 KB)

Questions and Answers (97.14 KB)

Download graphics and educational information and become a Flock Defender.

Manage Wildlife To Prevent Avian Influenza  (200.66 KB)

Prevent Avian Influenza at Your Farm: Improve Your Biosecurity with Simple Wildlife Practices (765.65 KB)

Improving Biosecurity with Wildlife Management Practices: Preventing Access to Barns and Other Facilities (1 MB)

Improving Biosecurity with Wildlife Management Practices: Reducing Water Access (1.34 MB)

Improving Biosecurity with Wildlife Management Practices: Protecting Food Resources (1.2 MB)

National Poultry Improvement Plan

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Turkey Federation

National Chicken Council 

United Egg Producers

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association

All in or all gone. Protect your farm. Protect your livelihood

California Department of Food and Agriculture – Biosecurity Risk Assessment Tool

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health

Browse additional resources to help you care for your flocks.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Learn what the CDC is doing to help people protect themselves against AI.

PandemicFlu.gov
The official government website for information on pandemic flu and avian flu.

United States Geologic Survey (USGS)
The National Wildlife Health Center at USGS has an avian influenza site with maps, news updates, and factsheets focusing on wild birds.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
CBP is responsible for keeping America's borders safe and secure. It works to keep illegal material (including birds and poultry) or individuals from entering the United States, while also facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. See travel tips on bringing items into the United States.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Find your nearest Cooperative Extension Office through this comprehensive and user-friendly directory developed by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Extension Disaster Education Network
The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) links Extension educators from across the United States and various disciplines, enabling them to use and share resources to reduce the impact of disasters.

Diagnostic Laboratories
APHIS has developed a list of diagnostic labs that deal with poultry. This list includes contact information for labs in several states.

State Veterinarians
The United States Animal Health Association has compiled a comprehensive list of State Veterinarians organized by State. The list includes contact information.

State Departments of Agriculture
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) maintains an online directory of all State departments of agriculture.

Defend the Flock: Your Biosecurity Bulletin

2025

Fall (1.51 MB)

Spring (1.04 MB)

2024
Fall (812.03 KB)

Spring (1.02 MB)

2023
Summer (1.04 MB)

2022
Fall/Winter (199.81 KB) | Winter (622.74 KB)

2021
Summer (556.61 KB)

2020
Winter (970.44 KB) | Summer (771.58 KB)

2019
Winter (752 KB) | Summer (1.08 MB)

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