Anyone NPIP Cert. in GA ?????

[stephenkeener]

I've got questions.

 

[stephenkeener]

Somebody has to be am I in the right forum??

 

[stephenkeener]

This is the last time im going to reshuffle the deck today I promise.

 

[spook]

Just found this :

http://macon.craigslist.org/grd/1101853376.html

 

[stephenkeener]

Thanks those are even my color. I would still like to find someone on here i could chat with.

 

[DANNY]

I AM NPIP AND I LIVE IN NOTH GA.

 

[stephenkeener]

Hi Danny thanks for the reply,

if read alot of the post on here about the npip cert. I guess I would just like to here the straight of it from a Georgian since if I understand it correctly the state is who does the testing.
How long have you been cert?
From the time you placed the call how long to complete the whole process?
Do you still think that this has improvement was and is worthwhile?
What age birds are eligable for the test?
Does having a closed flock bother you or are you more comfortable with it?
How much does it cost?
I am already very carful with my flock but I suppose that if I went this route I would probably stop allowing any visitors at all. What I don't like about this is the fact that I have had some people come that didn't have any chickens and that I would consider clean they wanted to see the chickens and the set up. If I said no you can't come see my chickens or my set up I think I would be guilt ridden because I refused to help someone that just wanted a little help.

Or do even people totally unfamilar with chickens resect this and understand what I am trying the accomplish and are willing to look at pictures that I send them of birds.
Any help anybody can give me about the best route to take I would be thankful for.

 

[DANNY]

WELL I NEVER HAVE BEEN TOO CONCERNED ABOUT VISITORS. I HAVE HAD LOTS OF VISITORS OVER THE YEARS AND AS FAR AS I KNOW I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. AUCTIONS AND CHICKEN SHOWS HAVE POTENTIAL FOR PROBLEMS.THE BIRDS HAVE TO BE 6 MONTHS OLD AND IT COSTS I BELIEVE ABOUT 10 CENTS PER BIRD. I HAVE BEEN NPIP FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. TIME FRAME DEPENDS ON WHAT TIME OF YEAR YOU DO IT. THEY ARE REAL BUSY IN THE FALL AND EARLY WINTER. IS IT WORTH IT? IF YOU WANT TO SELL AND SHIP BIRDS AND EGGS IT IS.

 

[stephenkeener]

What if you have chickens on the farm that are less than 6 months old what has to be done?
Do all the chickens need some type of ID such as a leg band?

I'm 38 and I have had chickens on and off most all of my life I don't mean to sound like an idiot but the more I read on here the more cautious I seem to become. I guess I just need to keep doing things the way I have been because other than some predetor problems when I do alot of free- ranging I haven't ever had any chicken health problems.
I want to do the NPIP Cert. that way people can know for sure that I am tring to put my best foot foward. I have the best flock I have ever had and it has become more than just 8 or10 running around the yard so I want to do everything within reason I can without just being plan foolish.

I think I read a post of yours that said you had been raising chickens for forty years. I haven't ever been much of a trader I usually just get a few new chickens every year or two until now, I'm trying to maintain some breeders to sell hatching eggs and table eggs. I know that the back yard chicken business is booming now and that it went into a major decline in the mid 1970's. What has been your experience with the ups and downs over that time period from then to now? Has it typically been good or bad how does where we are at now compare to the past?