Michigan Poultry Show Ban!!!!

[Scag]

Also Wynette, bantum21 never said prevention was ridiculous, she said the ban was ridiculous. There's a big difference. In a free country, we, the poultry owners, get to decide the appropriate level of prevention.

 

[Wynette]

Also Wynette, bantum21 never said prevention was ridiculous, she said the ban was ridiculous. There's a big difference. In a free country, we, the poultry owners, get to decide the appropriate level of prevention.

I think you're getting a bit carried away. I said before, and I'll say again - it's your choice to go to Chickenstock. If you want to take the chance, go right ahead. I, myself, prefer to not take a chance, but if you do? It's just fine with me. Unfortunately, comparing prohibition to a virus carried by migratory water fowl that threatens to disease multitudes of domestic fowl is like comparing apples to..........killer whales.

 

[Scag]

Oh then my apologies. I didn't realize the U.S. Constitution was rewritten with migratory waterfowl in mind. I'll make a note of it.

But ultimately there you go again with a false argument in attempt to bolster your support of a ban. No one compared prohibition to viruses. The hurdles for legal bans of yesteryear were compared to the lack of hurdles for 'legal' bans today.

You say, if I want to show my birds go ahead blah blah blah. Unfortunately, we're talking about the gubment saying "no you can't". Not wether Wynette says you can or can't.

 

[Wynette]

It would seem your argument is with the "gubment." I'm not going to argue with you.

 

[enola]

Well said Wynette.

 

[Scag]

Yes! My argument is mainly with the gubment and their involvement in our industry/hobby. My points are not directed at whether you think bird flu is serious or not serious. It's how we deal with it. I think the thoughtful people in this message board can decide ourselves how to handle the outbreak, not big brother.

I do get annoyed tho at how eager people are to accept more gubment rules instead of asking if government even has a role to play in the matter.

 

[pinkmartin73]

I agree that most of us raising birds for exhibition probably take far better care of our poultry than commercial farms. However, at state and county fairs, many of the poultry shown are meat birds. Some 4-H families choose meat birds because they do not "require" the same amount of space or long term care. They are raised in small cages with little to no time in contact with the ground. I have to believe that such birds are not going to be as hardy or disease resistant as birds like mine (raised for egg production) who have had time outside exploring from 4 wks old. Time in contact with birds and their droppings. I'm sure this helps build immunity to some degree.

I like to believe no parent would allow their child to bring birds to the fair knowing other birds in their flock are showing signs of illness. I happen to know that many parents send their kids to school sick. If they don't care for their kid to spread the flu at school, I don't trust them not to bring sick chickens to the fair. Kids typically want to miss school, parents send them anyway. Kids want to show their poultry. Some parents who have invested money in the project will indulge the kid and take the birds even if they've lost 5 birds in the last 3 days.

My son is almost 12. He is the one who doesn't get to show his chickens at the fair. His immune system is top notch. Rarely gets sick, has spent lots of time barefoot playing in the dirt. He eats a varied diet and is quite healthy. I have no plans to send him to a village ravaged by ebola to volunteer over the summer. I won't be inviting any exchange stuents from those places into my home either.

 

[Wynette]

Thank you, @Wyandottes7 , for your thoughtful (and non-argumentative) response. Of course we all have an opinion; and I for one do not take offense or thumb my nose at anyone that doesn't wish to listen to what the government is passing along to all of us; we're all in this together, more opinions and reflections usually are helpful in making a decision in serious matters.

However...debating the topic on an internet forum does nothing to further your cause, regardless of which direction you are compelled to agree with. If you are THAT upset/frustrated with government involvement, take your passion to a place where it will do some good; again, that place is not an internet forum. Just sayin'.

 

[stevetone]

It's all about PREVENTION. You believe it's ridiculous to attempt to prevent this disease from spreading? Perhaps the reason we haven't seen a reported case in Michigan is due to prevention. I, too, am disappointed. I have raised a good many birds for exhibition, and knowing I will be unable to show them just sickens me. But, if it means we will stop this disease from spreading, it is well worth it. JMO

Except that there is no evidence, to my knowledge, that swaps, shows or other gatherings of poultry have been a vector for AI. In contrast, CAFO facilities (Confined Animal Feeding Operations), with maximum densities, forced air ventilation, and limited genetic diversity, seem to be the major vector for Avian Influenza.

If you read the USDA APHIS database, you will see that 90% of the flocks are commercial, and virtually all of the "backyard" flocks are located within counties that have infected commercial facilities.

At his point, with the migration over, infections are still occurring in IA and MN commercial facilities, yet they have cancelled all "gatherings" of poultry (swaps and shows) for the last 2 months. And, during that time period, the commercial operations have ramped up their bio-security.

Don't fight the data. And in my opinion the data does not support a conclusion that poultry shows are a contributor to this problem.

 

[preciouskitty]

Except that there is no evidence, to my knowledge, that swaps, shows or other gatherings of poultry have been a vector for AI. In contrast, CAFO facilities (Confined Animal Feeding Operations), with maximum densities, forced air ventilation, and limited genetic diversity, seem to be the major vector for Avian Influenza.

If you read the USDA APHIS database, you will see that 90% of the flocks are commercial, and virtually all of the "backyard" flocks are located within counties that have infected commercial facilities.

At his point, with the migration over, infections are still occurring in IA and MN commercial facilities, yet they have cancelled all "gatherings" of poultry (swaps and shows) for the last 2 months. And, during that time period, the commercial operations have ramped up their bio-security.

Don't fight the data. And in my opinion the data does not support a conclusion that poultry shows are a contributor to this problem.

I agree with all the stats/data you have stated. In fact, I was just typing something to that effect.

One thing I would like add though, &'something I found interesting yesterday is the fact that the USDA, CDC & scientists are actually somewhat stymied as to why backyard flocks have been spared. Let's face it, most our flocks are in areas where there are wild birds; mine free range, so I know they are. MAYBE it is partly because we are keeping them away from other birds/flocks (TOTAL speculation on my part )

I also didn't interpret the recent bans as a conclusion that shows are a contributor; I interpreted it more as a preventative measure to keep the small flock owners birds healthy.

These are just my opinions..I've deleted my thoughts on the political aspects of this whole situation..I like sticking to data; then we can have healthy discussions!