Diagnostic Testing and Disease Updates
Diagnostic Testing Services for Salmonella pullorum and Avian Influenza in poultry and the avian species listed above is available to all residents of the commonwealth who plan to sell, exhibit, or otherwise move birds of off their premises.
Avian Influenza Update December 2024
MDAR is advising backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds, their feathers, and droppings. The HPAI virus is continuing to circulate in the wild bird population, particularly in wild waterfowl. Eliminating standing water and preventing domestic birds from having access to ponds, streams, and wetland areas that attract wild waterfowl is of critical importance. Letting your flock “free range” poses substantial risk of exposure to HPAI. The consequences can be deadly.
The risk of humans contracting HPAI from infected birds is very, very low. Humans that are most at risk of becoming infected are individuals that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds. More information can be found in this Frequently Asked Questions About Avian Flu document created by MDPH, MDAR, and MDFW.
REPORT sick or dead birds!
“Sick or dead domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, gamebirds, domestic ducks, etc.) should be reported to Department of Agricultural Resources Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1795 or through the Report Sick of Dead Domestic Poultry link.
Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Department of Fish and Game Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) using the online form found the Report Sick or Dead Wild Birds link (mass.gov/reportbirds).
MDAR’s Poultry Page for biosecurity resources available in English, Español, Português, 简体中文, Tiếng Việt, عربي, Kriolu di Cabo Verde, Français, Kreyòl ayisyen, ភាសាខ្មែរ, Русский,
Protect Your Flock
See MDAR's Biosecurity Information below.
Prevent exposure to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in your Poultry Flock
For more information about the Avian Influenza virus
June 6, 2022- Notice to All Veterinarians with Bird-Owning Clients-The Department appreciates your assistance in sharing awareness of HPAI. It is also important however to ensure that poultry including chickens, ducks, geese, and other domestic birds receive veterinary care in a timely fashion. This link contains some suggestions for screening these poultry client’s calls that can guide veterinary practices in their intake protocols.”
In response to a steady increase in the number of families raising small poultry flocks throughout the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has developed these documents to aid residential poultry producers in the methods of caring for poultry, marketing eggs and of handling the waste products. We hope these documents will also serve to educate municipal officials in communities that have not traditionally had experience with agricultural endeavors.
Biosecurity Information
Poultry Dealers and Transporter Licenses
Be advised that pursuant Chapter 94, Section 152A, “No person or business entity shall engage in the business of buying, selling or transporting live poultry unless he shall have first obtained a license therefore from” the Division of Animal Health. Such license shall expire on December thirty-first in the year or part thereof in which such license was issued.” Currently there is no fee for this license.
All licensees shall keep and maintain, for a period of one-year records of each transaction as follow:
- Date of transport;
- Name of seller & address;
- Name of Purchaser & address;
- Total number of birds transported;
- Species of poultry bought;
- Species of Poultry sold; and
- Pullorum Certificate, the number, and the certificate expiration*
*Adult poultry** entering the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must be accompanied by proof of an NPIP approved negative test for salmonella pullorum-typhoid and an NPIP/ VS 9-3 form, issued by the state of origin. Day old chicks and hatching eggs must originate from flocks that are NPIP salmonella pullorum-typhoid negative and be accompanied by an NPIP/ VS 9-3 form issued by the state of origin.
**The definition of “Poultry” in regards to testing requirements includes chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, and gamebirds.
All other avian species require a general health certificate for entry into the commonwealth.
If you have any questions, please call 617-626-1795.