STATE RESOURCES

FLOCK REGISTRATION

Backyard flock owners, who generally keep birds as pets or for private use of their eggs, are not required to meet the stringent NPIP standards; however, they are required to register their location with the MD Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the registry is to enable MDA to contact flock owners immediately when a potential disease is identified to quickly and safely contain the disease and prevent it from spreading to other flocks.

STATE LABS

If one of your chickens dies from an unknown cause, you may want to consider a necropsy. A necropsy is an examination of an animal after death. The purpose of a necropsy is typically to determine the cause of death, or extent of disease.

There are two state labs in Maryland through the MD Department of Agriculture: Frederick Animal Health Lab and Salisbury Animal Health Lab. Call the lab you wish to have your deceased bird test, then fill out the submission form. Some local poultry vets will mail your chicken for you or you can ship your chicken by placing it in a zip lock bag, pack it cold and ship it overnight. It’s $12.00 / bird, there are discounts for more than 12. Call ahead to the lab first before shipping or delivering your deceased chicken.

SALISBURY ANIMAL HEALTH LAB

7722 Nanticoke Road, Unit 3
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: 410-543-6610
Fax: 410-543-6676
ahsalisbury.mda@maryland.gov