Bird flu: a simple biosecurity checklist for small poultry farms
Bird flu came back to a Bangladeshi farm in 2025 after seven years. Most of the protection costs little: a foot dip, a gate and a rule about visitors. Here is the checklist.
Poultry farming in Bangladesh — chickens, ducks and eggs
Raising chickens, ducks and turkeys for meat and eggs. Help on chicks, feed, vaccination, bird flu and fair prices.
25.09 billion
Eggs produced a year (official estimate)DLS via FE, 2025-26
32.8 crore
Chickens (327.8 million)DLS 2023-24
10.30 Tk
Average cost to produce one eggFE, 2026
7.0 Tk
Lowest farm-gate egg price, Nov 2025–Mar 2026FE, 2026
Please note: The Poultry Industry Association disputes the official egg figure and puts output at no more than 14 billion eggs a year.
Key points for farmers
- Practise biosecurity: foot-dips at the entrance, and keep visitors and wild birds away.
- If many birds die suddenly, do not sell them; report it to the Upazila Livestock Office at once, as it may be bird flu.
- Buy chicks from registered hatcheries and feed from registered companies.
- Work out your own cost of production before selling eggs or birds, and compare it with market prices.
- Register your farm; it helps you get government support and training.
For treatment and medicine doses, always ask your Upazila livestock or fisheries office or a registered vet.
Help in Bangladesh4
Department of Livestock Services (DLS) — poultryপ্রাণিসম্পদ অধিদপ্তর (DLS) — পোলট্রি
CheckedFarm registration, vaccination, disease diagnosis and bird flu reporting.
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI)বাংলাদেশ প্রাণিসম্পদ গবেষণা ইনস্টিটিউট (BLRI)
CheckedResearch on improved native chicken breeds and feed.
World's Poultry Science Association — Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB)ওয়ার্ল্ডস পোলট্রি সায়েন্স অ্যাসোসিয়েশন — বাংলাদেশ শাখা (WPSA-BB)
CheckedCo-organiser of the International Poultry Show and Seminar; a lead sector body alongside BPICC.
Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC)বাংলাদেশ পোলট্রি ইন্ডাস্ট্রিজ সেন্ট্রাল কাউন্সিল (BPICC)
Link to confirmThe poultry industry's central council.
International help3
World's Poultry Science Association (WPSA)ওয়ার্ল্ডস পোলট্রি সায়েন্স অ্যাসোসিয়েশন (WPSA)
CheckedInternational body for poultry science and technology; webinars and publications.
WOAH — avian influenzaWOAH — অ্যাভিয়ান ইনফ্লুয়েঞ্জা
CheckedInternational bird flu outbreak reports and guidance.
FAO poultry productionFAO পোলট্রি উন্নয়ন
Link to confirmUN guidance on poultry keeping for smallholders.
Sources
From the blog
Every sector in one place
Beyond crops: separate pages for livestock, poultry, dairy, fish and bees.
LivestockRaising cattle, goats, sheep and buffalo for meat, milk, hides and fibre. Government and expert help on vaccination, treatment, breeds and markets in one place.DairyFarming focused on milk. Help on collection, cooperatives, feed, breeding and fair prices.FishRaising fish, shrimp and crab in controlled or natural waters. Help on fry, feed, water quality and markets.BeesKeeping bees for honey and beeswax. The mustard, litchi and Sundarbans seasons, training and markets.InternationalThe world bodies that give farmers, livestock keepers, fish farmers and beekeepers free knowledge, training and standards, arranged by sector.