Strong winds have the potential to spread pathogens across open-air poultry operations, a finding highlighted by researchers at the University of Washington. The study examined how environmental conditions influence disease transmission on farms that keep birds outdoors and rely on limited chemical inputs.
Olivia Smith and a team collected chicken manure from 27 farms across the western United States, spanning California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The researchers also gathered data from farmers about their management practices and the chickens’ breed and age. While only 11 farms carried organic certifications, many producers avoided routine use of antibiotics, vaccines, or parasiticides in principle. This contrasts with large-scale indoor facilities where animals are often raised with higher drug usage and hormone exposure.
Among the findings, roughly one quarter of birds on open-field farms showed signs of the pathogen Campylobacter. The likelihood of detecting affected birds was higher on farms that had experienced strong winds in the week before sampling and on farms located near other agricultural operations. The data suggest wind can contribute to the spread of Campylobacter, reinforcing the importance of wind-aware management practices on open-air farms.
To mitigate the impact of Campylobacter, the researchers recommended practical measures such as installing windbreaks to reduce airflow across poultry areas. Farmers can also monitor weather forecasts and move flocks to sheltered locations when strong winds are anticipated. These steps aim to lower airborne transmission risk while preserving humane, low-chemical production approaches that many farms already prioritize. The study underlines how environmental factors interact with farming practices to influence pathogen dynamics on open-air poultry operations, offering guidance for healthier flocks and safer food production.
Historical observations in zoology noted that unfamiliar bird relatives sometimes did not receive timely aid from related species, a reminder of the complexity of wildlife-like dynamics in farming ecosystems. This broader perspective supports ongoing research into how external conditions shape disease risks in outdoor poultry systems and the potential benefits of integrating wind-related mitigations into routine farm planning.