Important Information for Residents with Hobby Chicken Coops

The NJ Department of Agriculture maintains information on their website concerning the safe operation of backyard "hobby" coops. See below for more information:

POULTRY GROWERS - PROTECT YOUR FLOCK WITH GOOD BIOSECURITY

Avian influenza spreads from bird to bird, from manure, contaminated vehicles, equipment, egg flats and poultry transport crates. The virus can be transported through bird droppings on clothes or boots into poultry houses and bird pens. Help protect your birds by following these practices:

• Minimize your flock's exposure to wild waterfowl
• Keep poultry away from water which wild waterfowl use
• Don’t use surface water (such as pond water) as a drinking source for your poultry
• Always use dedicated foot wear or use disinfectant footbaths prior to entering bird pens
• Clean up outside feed spills
• Only allow essential workers and vehicles to enter your farm; clean and disinfect vehicle wheels before letting them drive onto and off your farm
• Don’t lend or borrow equipment from other farms
• Avoid visiting other poultry farms and auctions. If you do, change clothes and footwear before working with your own birds

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Local requirements can be found at Section 457 of the Borough Code. 

If you have additional questions, please reach out to:

NJ Department of Agriculture

Division of Animal Health

609-671-6400