Avaian flu and adding chicks

[Yvette In California]

When the last Avian Flu, Newcastle Virulent, hit, it was in our area (We're in California). Ironically it went for several years, and finally was declared done in May of 2020. Odd thing was, my county (Orange County, below Los Angeles, above San Diego, coastal side of San Bernardino County) was not on the quarantine list. YET all surrounding counties were, and if chicks were being sent through the mail, they were being rejected and returned. I had inquired at a local feed store that has the usual local leg horn chicks, and the lady there had educated me, the then complete newbie (classic had a coop, no hens yet scenario), about what was going on, that she could order for me but she'd not be able to get anything that wasn't local until after the ban was lifted. That led me to do research on the CDC and USDA pages and learn as much as possible about where things were at and where things were trending to go. I had to be patient. I didn't want leghorns. So it bought me time to learn lots more from this page, from youtube videos about care and breeds and such, and honestly, while it was a bummer to wait, I'm glad I did, because I sure didn't want to be a family that got de-flocked. I couldn't imagine getting poulots and getting attached only to have that happen.

Anyways, definitely look at the websites. Learn as much as you can and make the decisions that would be best for your flock. I'd definitely stick with reputable hatcheries that you know are safe and avoid open stock at feed stores, as hard as that is! <3

Here's some helpful things I found:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...mal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/spotlights/2021-2022/h5n1-low-risk-public.htm

At this point it looks like it is primary in the east coast and mid west/south.

I wish you the best!

 

[Kaford]

Just a note on TSC: they get chicks shipped to them. Since you do not have tracking info, you don’t know if they were delayed or how long they were en route. The shipping stresses the chicks. TSC is offering a valuable service bringing chicks to you, with a replacement guarantee. You can pick the liveliest chicks there, knowing that they have removed the already dead ones. Sometimes, even with great care, chicks die.

Oh no dont get me wrong I definitely appreciate being able to go in and get a minimum of 4 and having the convenience of them being right there!

 

[Acre4Me]

When the last Avian Flu, Newcastle Virulent, hit, it was in our area (We're in California). Ironically it went for several years, and finally was declared done in May of 2020. Odd thing was, my county (Orange County, below Los Angeles, above San Diego, coastal side of San Bernardino County) was not on the quarantine list. YET all surrounding counties were, and if chicks were being sent through the mail, they were being rejected and returned. I had inquired at a local feed store that has the usual local leg horn chicks, and the lady there had educated me, the then complete newbie (classic had a coop, no hens yet scenario), about what was going on, that she could order for me but she'd not be able to get anything that wasn't local until after the ban was lifted. That led me to do research on the CDC and USDA pages and learn as much as possible about where things were at and where things were trending to go. I had to be patient. I didn't want leghorns. So it bought me time to learn lots more from this page, from youtube videos about care and breeds and such, and honestly, while it was a bummer to wait, I'm glad I did, because I sure didn't want to be a family that got de-flocked. I couldn't imagine getting poulots and getting attached only to have that happen.

Anyways, definitely look at the websites. Learn as much as you can and make the decisions that would be best for your flock. I'd definitely stick with reputable hatcheries that you know are safe and avoid open stock at feed stores, as hard as that is! <3

Here's some helpful things I found:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...mal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/spotlights/2021-2022/h5n1-low-risk-public.htm

At this point it looks like it is primary in the east coast and mid west/south.

I wish you the best!

Just to clarify, Newcastle is a virus, but it is not avian flu. It is a different type of highly contagious/deadly to chickens virus.

https://extension.psu.edu/newcastle-disease-avian-paramyxovirus-1

Thankfully, Newcastle is no longer a current threat in CA after such a long time.

 

[kgby13]

I’ve already ordered some from ideal and mypetchicken. Thinking about canceling with the McMurray hatchery outbreak.

 

[springvalley123]

I’ve already ordered some from ideal and mypetchicken. Thinking about canceling with the McMurray hatchery outbreak.

Did you read the hatchery's statement? Here, just in case:

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/faqmcmurrayhatcheryavianinflue.html