If you’re raising poultry—whether for breeding, showing, or simply keeping a healthy backyard flock—you’ve likely come across the term NPIP. But what exactly is NPIP, and why does it matter? There’s a lot of misinformation out there, so let’s clear it up: The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) is NOT a USDA vaccination program. Instead, it’s a voluntary certification program focused on disease testing and prevention.
What is NPIP?
The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) was established in the 1930s to combat Pullorum Disease, a deadly bacterial infection that once devastated the poultry industry. Today, NPIP has expanded to include testing and monitoring for several poultry diseases, helping to ensure flocks remain disease-free.
NPIP operates under the USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) but is administered at the state level. While it is a national program, each state has its own regulations regarding participation and enforcement.
What Does NPIP Cover?
NPIP testing focuses on several major poultry diseases, including:
- Pullorum Disease & Fowl Typhoid (required for certification)
- Avian Influenza (mandatory in some states)
- Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, and Mycoplasma meleagridis (affecting breeders and commercial flocks)
- Salmonella Enteritidis (primarily for commercial egg producers)
Certification means a flock has tested negative for these diseases, ensuring healthier poultry and reducing disease spread.
Who Needs NPIP Certification?
While NPIP is voluntary, it’s often required for:
- Hatcheries & Breeders who sell hatching eggs, chicks, or live birds across state lines.
- Exhibitors & Show Bird Owners since many poultry shows require NPIP-certified birds to participate.
- Small Farms & Backyard Poultry Keepers who want to ship or sell birds legally in certain states.
If you plan to ship live birds or hatching eggs, many states require NPIP certification to ensure disease-free poultry is crossing state lines.
What NPIP is NOT
There’s a common misconception that NPIP involves vaccinations, but this is not true. NPIP is strictly a testing and monitoring program, meaning that:
- It does NOT require or provide vaccinations.
- It does NOT guarantee birds are immune to disease.
- It does NOT cover all poultry diseases—just specific ones under the program.
Why NPIP Matters for Poultry Keepers
Whether you raise a small flock or operate a large-scale breeding program, NPIP helps protect the poultry community by preventing disease outbreaks. Participation in the program benefits both breeders and buyers by:
- Ensuring healthier flocks through routine testing.
- Facilitating interstate shipping by meeting legal requirements.
- Boosting buyer confidence, as many prefer NPIP-certified stock.
- Preventing economic losses by reducing disease risks.
Even if you’re not required to be NPIP-certified, supporting breeders and hatcheries that participate in NPIP helps maintain the health of the larger poultry community.
How to Get NPIP Certified
If you’re interested in NPIP certification, contact your state’s NPIP office to learn about testing requirements and application processes. Since NPIP is state-administered, costs, testing frequency, and specific regulations vary depending on where you live.
For more information, visit the USDA-APHIS NPIP website or reach out to your state’s poultry health division.
Final Thoughts
NPIP is an important tool for keeping poultry disease-free, but it’s not a universal solution. Understanding what NPIP does—and doesn’t do—helps poultry keepers make informed decisions about flock health and biosecurity. By participating in or supporting NPIP-certified operations, you’re contributing to a stronger, healthier poultry industry.
