Biosecurity is not merely a set of hygiene rules, but the main line of defense that determines the productivity level of a farm.
In poultry production, success is not determined solely by high-quality feed or efficient housing management. There is one fundamental factor that often distinguishes successful farms from those constantly struggling with disease problems—biosecurity.
According to Irfan Hidayat, Marketing Feed CPI for East and North Kalimantan (Kaltimtara), biosecurity is a series of actions and procedures designed to prevent the entry, development, and spread of harmful biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites within the farm environment. “Biosecurity is like a defensive fence. If the fence is strong, diseases will have no entry point, let alone room to grow and spread,” Irfan explained when met in the new capital city (IKN) on Wednesday, 8/10.
Irfan noted that many farmers still perceive biosecurity as something complicated and expensive, when in fact the opposite is true—biosecurity is a long-term investment that greatly determines production outcomes. “It’s actually simple. Biosecurity is a system designed to protect our livestock—our chickens—from being exposed to diseases from outside. Unfortunately, something this simple is often forgotten,” he said.
He added that the implementation of biosecurity does not begin when the chickens have already entered the house but long beforehand, even from the stage of selecting the farm location. “Choosing the right location is part of biosecurity. The farm should be far from residential areas, far from traffic, and the layout—from feed storage, worker housing, to the entrance gate—all plays a role in protecting chickens from sources of disease,” he explained.
With proper implementation, biosecurity can reduce disease risk, improve feed efficiency, and minimize chicken stress. According to him, when biosecurity works, chickens are healthier, stress is reduced, and harvest performance becomes far more optimal. “The purpose of biosecurity is simple: prevent disease, control outbreaks when they occur, and boost productivity. Healthy chickens are more efficient, feed is saved, weight gain is faster, and results are more stable,” he added.
Core Principles of Biosecurity: Isolation, Traffic Control, and Sanitation
Irfan explained that there are three main principles forming the foundation of biosecurity in every farm. First, isolation—separating healthy poultry from potential sources of disease to prevent transmission. Second, traffic control—which limits who and what may enter the farm area to prevent the introduction of pathogens. Third, sanitation—which includes maintaining cleanliness across all aspects of the farm, from housing, equipment, and vehicles, to workers. “Everyone entering the farm must change clothes and shoes—no exceptions. It may seem trivial, but breaking that rule even once can have fatal consequences for chicken health and production outcomes,” he emphasized.
Additionally, the three-zone system (red, yellow, green) is crucial to implement. The red zone is the external area (parking and receiving), the yellow zone is the transition area (changing clothes and disinfection), and the green zone is the production area accessible only to sterilized personnel. “Housing design also matters. For single houses, it’s best to face east to receive morning sunlight—it’s a natural disinfectant,” he added.
This article is an excerpt from the Farm Management section of Poultry Indonesia magazine, November 2025 edition. Read the full version in the November 2025 issue of Poultry Indonesia Magazine. For subscriptions or more information, contact: https://wa.me/+6287780120754 or sirkulasipoultry@gmail.com
