The university of minnesota (UMN) will examine the risk of moving day-old ducklings and day-old upland game (UG) chicks off monitored, commercial hatcheries in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)…

The University of Minnesota received a $424,922 Cooperative Agreement award from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective August 18, 2025, through August 17, 2027. The university will conduct a comprehensive risk assessment examining the movement of day-old ducklings and upland game chicks from monitored commercial hatcheries in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) control areas. Leveraging established Secure Duck and Secure Upland Game Supply Working Groups, the project will identify commodity- and species-specific entry pathways, mitigation strategies, and HPAI transmission risks associated with day-old bird movements from monitored hatcheries.

The project will deliver a consistent, risk-based framework to guide livestock owners and regulatory agencies in making informed decisions regarding day-old bird movements within these niche poultry industries and establish protocols for determining monitored premises status for affected hatcheries during HPAI outbreaks. Findings will be published and presented to poultry producers and regulatory stakeholders, providing science-based information to support permitted animal movement decisions and maintain business continuity during HPAI outbreaks.

The university of minnesota (UMN) will examine the risk of moving day-old ducklings and day-old upland game (UG) chicks off monitored, commercial hatcheries in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) control areas. Leveraging the expertise from recently established secure duck and secure UG supply working groups, UMN will assess the risk of day-old bird movements through identifying commodity- and species-specific entry pathways, mitigations, and risk of HPAI spread from a monitored hatchery. The study will give livestock owners and regulators a consistent risk-based framework to guide decisions related to movements of day-old birds in these niche industries. IT will also help regulators determine monitored premises status for hatcheries that produce ducklings or UG chicks during an outbreak. Results of this risk assessment will be published and presented to poultry producers and regulatory stakeholders. Poultry producers, allied industries, and regulatory agencies will benefit from this project because IT will provide new, science-based information to inform permitted animal movement decisions and improve continuity of business during HPAI outbreaks.