Quote:
Can you explain a little bit about what happened?
Yes, yes. . .inquiring minds want to know.
Nothing HAPPENED, happened.
But a large number of us actively trade, buy, and sell birds amongst ourselves. I don't get birds from anyone who is NOT on BYC, and nevereverever unless I have been to their house. I can think of one exception--Meg--and only because she is a neat freak. I don't let birds out of my flock unless I KNOW the whole flock has been healthy for several months.
I do not frequent feed stores with nasty conditions or sick animals. Ever.
I don't accept rescue birds---even though my flock is vaccinated for the big stuff, I never know what new terror the rescue bird might bring.
Even then, I have had a number of problems with disease--- my neighbor's free-ranging turkeys destroyed my gardens and introduced IB one year. Those turkeys are all delightfully dead now, but even without the stupid buggers, I cant control whose yard the rat birds have been to before they come into my yard. My (SINGLE) rescue bird brought coryza.
Some of the big proponents for the Tour de Coups (and Rent a Hen) work/frequent at Baker's Nursery, I used to spend my lunches there. From my conversations with them, I can say their thoughts on biosecurity are different from my own.
LONG PARTY POOPER SHORT: It seems like a bad idea to let a bunch of random chicken-keepers tromp through my yard. Also, I would feel guilty if I brought something into their yard that their chickens had not been vaccinated against.
...but a box of booties may be a good solution.
