Ok, so I have been trying to research what I need to (legally) bring chickens into Texas from other states, but all of the website I have found are much too complicated for me to understand. I am planning on buying some birds at a show in Oklahoma in December and bringing them home with me. Right now I am for sure getting 3 (from Louisiana by way of the Oklahoma show), but may end up getting more. Has anyone in Texas done this before? I am guessing I probably need them to be NPIP certified which is no problem, but then there was mention of AI testing and certificate of veterinary inspection? So all of the birds I bring into Texas will need to have been inspected by a vet and have health papers? This is not required by the show (from what I have read), so does this mean I would not be able to buy anything on the spot and would have to arrange to have the sellers of the birds I am getting take them to the vet and get a health cert before we meet up in OK? Or I am just confused all together? I know I have heard something about there being health testing at the shows...is that what I need to bring them back or do I need something in addition?
Also I know from crossing the border that there are stations set up at the state line along the main highways that say that vehicles carrying livestock need to stop and I guess be inspected and check that their paperwork is in order....do I need to stop with only 3 or so chickens for my own personal flock, or is that only for commercial type people?
I would love to hear from anyone in Texas that has bought chickens out of state and brought them back themselves (as opposed to having them shipped). I know I can obviously just buy the chickens and drive home and avoid the whole mess all together by not worrying about it, but I want to stay legal as possible.
Also I know from crossing the border that there are stations set up at the state line along the main highways that say that vehicles carrying livestock need to stop and I guess be inspected and check that their paperwork is in order....do I need to stop with only 3 or so chickens for my own personal flock, or is that only for commercial type people?
I would love to hear from anyone in Texas that has bought chickens out of state and brought them back themselves (as opposed to having them shipped). I know I can obviously just buy the chickens and drive home and avoid the whole mess all together by not worrying about it, but I want to stay legal as possible.