The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)

The National Poultry Improvement Plan, or NPIP, is a voluntary State-Federal cooperative testing and certification program for poultry breeding flocks, baby chicks, poults, hatching eggs, hatcheries, and dealers. It was developed in the early 1930s to address Pullorum Disease and Fowl Typhoid, which were devastating the poultry industry at the time. In those years, up to 80% of baby poultry died from Salmonella pullorum infection. Thanks to the work of the NPIP, Pullorum Disease and Fowl Typhoid have been eradicated in the United States.

Basic NPIP Certification

All participants begin with the foundational certification: Pullorum-Typhoid Clean.

Testing: Breeding flocks are tested for Salmonella pullorum (Pullorum Disease) and Salmonella gallinarum (Fowl Typhoid).
Certification: Flocks that test negative are recognized as Pullorum-Typhoid Clean.
Purpose: This level is the minimum required for shipping poultry across state lines. Many states only accept birds or hatching eggs from Pullorum-Typhoid Clean sources.

Optional NPIP Classifications

Once Pullorum-Typhoid Clean status is achieved, participants may elect to certify for additional disease monitoring programs to further demonstrate their flock’s health and biosecurity practices. These include:

Avian Influenza Clean (fowl plague)
Salmonella Enteritidis Clean (S. enterica var. enteritidis)
Mycoplasma Clean Programs
- Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) – chronic respiratory disease, infectious sinusitis in turkeys
- Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) – infectious synovitis
- Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) – day-old airsacculitis in turkeys
U.S. Salmonella Monitored – reduces Salmonella incidence in hatching eggs, chicks, and poults
U.S. Sanitation Monitored – ensures sanitation procedures in breeder farms and hatcheries

Meyer Hatchery is proud to be NPIP Certified!

Meyer Hatchery is certified Pullorum-Typhoid clean, H5/H7 Avian Influenza clean, and Salmonella monitored by the state of Ohio NPIP department. Meyer Hatchery's NPIP number is 31-184. All orders of lives from Meyer Hatchery will automatically be emailed the NPIP form, also known as Form 9-3, the day after the order ships.

Listen to more about the National Poultry Improvement Program on THE COOP, Meyer Hatchery's Podcast!