• Keep domestic birds separated from wild birds as much as practical.

• Pay particular attention to ducks, geese and other waterfowl, which can have contact with wild birds and contaminated water.

• Prevent wild birds from accessing poultry feed and drinking water.

• Store feed securely and clean up spilled feed promptly.

• Consider netting or other physical barriers where appropriate.

Good hand hygiene is one of the simplest things you can do.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water:

• Before handling your birds.

• After handling your birds.

• After cleaning poultry areas.

• After handling bird equipment, feed or water containers.

• After handling wild birds or wildlife.

Where soap and water aren't immediately available, an appropriate alcohol-based hand sanitiser can be used.

If you regularly move between different groups of birds, consider changing or cleaning footwear and clothing as appropriate to avoid carrying contamination from one area to another.

The same principle applies when handling wildlife. If you work with or assist sick, injured or deceased wild birds, take appropriate hygiene precautions and avoid moving potentially contaminated material between locations.

Water can be an overlooked part of biosecurity.

If your birds drink from water collected from roofs, remember that roof surfaces, gutters and downpipes can potentially become contaminated with bird faeces and other material from wild birds.

This does not mean that rainwater tanks are automatically unsafe, but it is worth considering how your water is collected and managed.

Practical precautions can include:

• Keeping gutters and collection areas clean.

• Preventing birds from accessing gutters, tanks and troughs where possible.

• Regularly cleaning and maintaining drinking-water containers.

• Avoiding allowing wild birds to drink from or bathe in poultry drinking water.

• Considering an appropriate water treatment method if your collected water presents a potential contamination risk.

Depending on your setup, water treatment options may include appropriately used, commercially available water disinfectants or other treatment systems designed for animal drinking water.

Always follow the product label and manufacturer or veterinary advice regarding concentration, contact time and suitability for poultry. Do not add household chemicals or disinfectants to drinking water unless they are specifically approved and suitable for that purpose.

If you are unsure about the quality of your rainwater or tank water, speak with your veterinarian or an appropriate animal health professional about the safest option for your flock.

If you rescue, rehabilitate or regularly handle wild birds or other wildlife, there are some additional biosecurity considerations.

Wild birds can potentially carry and spread avian influenza, so it is important to take extra care when handling sick, injured or deceased birds.

Practical precautions include:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling wildlife.

• Use appropriate disposable gloves when handling birds, particularly sick or deceased birds.

• Wear dedicated clothing and footwear when working with wildlife where practical.

• Clean and disinfect equipment, carriers and surfaces after use.

• Avoid taking potentially contaminated equipment directly into your poultry areas.

• Keep wildlife rehabilitation areas separate from domestic poultry wherever possible.

• Do not share food, water containers or equipment between wildlife and domestic birds.

• If you care for multiple birds, handle healthy animals before animals that are sick or potentially exposed.

• Change gloves and clean or disinfect equipment between animals or groups where appropriate.

• Take particular care with faeces, feathers, respiratory secretions and other material that may be contaminated.

If you find a sick or deceased wild bird, avoid unnecessary handling. If handling is necessary for animal welfare or rehabilitation, use appropriate protective equipment and hygiene measures.

If you regularly care for wildlife and also keep domestic birds, maintaining a physical separation between the two is particularly important.

Avian influenza primarily concerns birds, but other animals can potentially become infected following exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments.

If you work with wildlife, avoid allowing domestic poultry access to areas where sick or deceased wild birds have been found.

If you are concerned about a wildlife exposure or an animal showing unusual signs of illness, contact your veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitation organisation or the relevant Tasmanian animal health authority for advice.

Good hygiene protects not only your birds, but also you, your other animals and the wildlife you are trying to help.