2010 MN Swap Dates

[destiny_56085]

The MN Game Breeder's Swap today was HUGE!!!! I have never seen so many people in that building before. The buyers were out in full force too.

Here's what went down as far as the state vet. They did ask for paperwork at the door. You should have seen the relieved look on their faces every time someone pulled out a pullorum slip that their birds had already been done. As far as I know, those are good for 30 days and the band numbers have to match the breed and birds you brought along. The State Vet did walk around to make sure no one got in with unbanded birds. His name is Brian Ziemer and his e-mail is [email protected] . He was very helpful and he made sure I'm having no problems with the paperwork for the hatchery permit. At the end of the swap he called a special session to fill everyone in on what he wants done for compliance.

The hatchery permit is a 1 sheet piece of paper you fill out. There is a box on there that you check if you want to be involved with the NPIP program too. It asks for name, address, phone, e-mail, sources of birds/eggs for 2010 season, breeds & varieties produces, the testing agents who will be doing your birds, hatcheries/dealers you sell to, and you send in a pullorum slip for all your birds. My mom & brother have to set a date and we will go through and test/band every single one of our birds in the breeder flocks. It all has to be recorded. The vet then comes and does a visit for your facilities. I guess they check out your incubators, brooders, growout pens, and breeder pens. I talked to Brian Hauger and he showed me his paperwork. He got his last year and renewed it this year. He said whent he vet came out, it was very friendly. They gave you pointers on certain things.... You get the paperwork in the mail shortly after.

My friend from Alabama sent me eggs last week. I was surprised when she sent me all the NPIP forms. I was even more shocked to see that she had a MN State hatchery permit number too. She said something about sending birds up here one other time so just filled out the forms.

 

[destiny_56085]

So far this hasn't cost anything more than time and bands. They even give you these cheapie strap on bands if you don't want to use the expensive ones. Its alot of filling out paperwork. I think they basically want to know who has birds and a paper trail just in case there is a disease outbreak. They want to know where you got your birds and where they are going.

 

[vpeterson]

Thanks for the info. It doesn't sound as bad as I first thought. I just need to find someone around here that does the testing. Did you sell quite a bit at the swap?. It would be disappointing to do all of that testing and then not be able to sell much. If getting the hatchery label is easy I would like to get one since I like to sell newly hatched chicks.

 

[JanieMarie]

Yes Thanks for the info. At first I was thinking it was just another way for MN to bring in some more revenue but after reading that it sounds more like its just a way for keeping track of who has birds in the state. Sounds like the paperwork is a pain in the butt tho! Sure wish I lived closer to the swap area down there. There aren't any around here. Barnesville isn't too far so I'll probably try to make it when there is something there.

 

[destiny_56085]

No problem. We sold out of just about everything. Jill Glover drove over from Granstsburg WI to pick up some young silkies. My brother brought a whole crate of his expensive show racer pigeons and they were gone as soon as we got in the door. One guy came up to meet him all the way from Des Moines IA for 4 birds. He brought about 20 extras and they went like hotcakes. We brought 7 peafowl along and they were all sold. Sold some of the call ducks. Got rid of some of my modenas. Sold one of my 10 month old SQ white silkie cockerels and up to 17 people on a waiting list for chicks now. Sold every single red golden pheasant I had along. I only came home with 1 chicken, 2 ducks, and 2 pigeons out of 2 truckloads of cages full of stuff. My mom got a standard blue cochin hen that is decent. My brother got 2 pairs of pintails and some mandarins for 1 of his buddies. We also had plans to meet up with Brian Hauger for some geese to replace all that the coyotes got from us over winter. Bought 8 white africans and 2 brown africans. Bought lots of bands, cage cups, and new wafers over at Smith Poultry Supply's stand.

ALOT of out of state buyers and sellers. I saw Spectrum Ranch was even there. OMG the swans and all breeds of wild ducks were to be drooled over.

 

[destiny_56085]

I don't think the permits cost anything. Even my local feedstore has to have one just to resell hatchery chicks. The NPIP is a bit of a pain in the rear but we might as well get used to it.

I do know that last fall there was an outbreak of Avian Influenza at a turkey barn about 8 miles from where I live. I know about this because one of my friends is married to one of the big turkey producers very close to there. They destroyed about 20,000 birds in that barn. The state stepped in to help them with the clean up and reimbursement. The state officials pretty much knew who has birds around here. They still had to go around to people within such a radius and knock on their doors. My good buddy Mike has an awesome setup with peafowl and the very expensive wild ducks only 1/2 mile from that infested barn. The state vet was there weekly for 6 weeks to monitor his flock and take blood samples. They were very cooperative and decent about it. He said here's a net, I'm going to work...have fun. Don't touch that...its a $500 bird on eggs, that one will try and spur your eyes out of you go in that pen, etc. They understood and were very good to work with.

 

[lorieMN]

well now I wish I had gone,,was planning on it but my hubby did a surprise thing for my B-day and a bunch of our friends showed up so I didnt get out of bed until 8 AM sunday

 

[destiny_56085]

Awwww... Happy belated Birthday!!! I'm jealous. I had to work til midnight, got home and had time to catch birds, load the truck, take a shower and head out. No sleep in 2 days and I seriously crashed on the couch yesterday afternoon. Where do you find guys like yours? Likes horses and birds AND remembers birthdays?

 

[vpeterson]

I just got off the phone with the MPTL. They were very nice. I got a list of names of testers in my area and signed up to be in the next class so I can learn how to test my own birds (cheaper). I asked her about the hatchery permit. She said that since I am a small operation, I do not need a permit as long as I have paperwork showing that the parents of the chicks were tested.
This sounds like different information than you received. Maybe I didnt understand how you were discribing it. I just want to make sure that if I bring a box of 20 chicks to a swap that I can sell them.
Amy, I am happy that you had 17 people get on a waiting list but sad to think that I won't be able to get any chicks from you soon. I am coming to Mankato on March 6th. Will you have anything available or all you all sold out?

 

[destiny_56085]

I just know what we were told as the clubs running the swaps. All birds over 5 months of age need to be banded and PT tested. Birds under 5 months of age have to a statement of origin from a PT free flock. Here is a link to the exact form you need to fill out on youngsters: http://www.bah.state.mn.us/animals/poultry/files/statement-of-origin.pdf You have to have a hatchery permit or dealer permit number on there. This is the paperwork that shows that the parents have all been tested. If this isn't done, NO we cannot allow you through the doors with a box of 20 chicks at a swap. You can sell privately and the state isn't going to get to involved if there is only a small number. If you come through the gates at any of our swaps we have to follow the state's rules, Sorry....

I know you said you wanted chicks from me later this spring. You never gave me an approximate date or how many though. I have a couple people that have pre-paid that are getting the next couple batches for sure. The most you can do is give me a call and see what I have available when you are in Mankato.
Amy