Brahma Thread

[brahmabreeder]

It's not hard just you have to do it right. The first two I did with the last batch I did at the top and used clear nail polish to attempt to cover the hole. Killed hem both. Then in that same batch I did 3 more and I did it at the bottom but I didn't know about the "pocket" at that time though. I also used the nail polish. One of then did develop but didn't hatch. I think the combo of not quite putting the needle in the right spot and the nail polish is what killed those. I would do it again but I don't have a huge reason to do it just was for the heck of it.

 

[chickd]

I love duck dynasty

 

[Cockle-Dood]

I love duck dynasty

X2!!!!!!!!

 

[Tim63]

asking input here

I signed the boys up for American Brahma Club this last fall. We are going to our first show of the season tomorrow . We are taking some Brahmas Light/Buff. Anyway they(Brahma club) are having a meet at the show tomorrow. My question is can we go to the meet? Do I need to bring anything to show that they are members? This is our first club meet have no ide

Basically just show up. Sorry so slow to respond, I have been away from the computer since Wednesday. No junior points system so nothing to worry about there.

Tim

 

[Dirt Farmer]

I'm back in the Brahma business, I had to cull my entire flock in March 2012 due to disease. I lost a 5 Lights that I had gotten from Darlene Hobbs and 3 Silver Laced of Big Medicines that came from a breeder in OH. I have 13 Gold/Partridge from two different sources. These are about 12 days old.

 

[dak]

I'm back in the Brahma business, I had to cull my entire flock in March 2012 due to disease. I lost a 5 Lights that I had gotten from Darlene Hobbs and 3 Silver Laced of Big Medicines that came from a breeder in OH. I have 13 Gold/Partridge from two different sources. These are about 12 days old.

What disease required this drastic measure?

 

[Dirt Farmer]

What disease required this drastic measure?

I had a particularly virulent strain of mycoplasma synoviae. It was a variant that caused more respiratory than joint issues. I tried controlling it by consulting with the state vet/lab, and with a private avian vet. Over the course of months the flock kept getting reinfected. Some died, some had chronic respiratory issues, some got secondary infections. A few did OK, (Big Medicine, the SLB were more resistant showing mild symptoms compared to the others), but I couldn't bring anything new in without them getting sick. Ultimately I just got tired of sick birds and being a reservoir for avian diseases. I also wanted to be able to share stock with other hobbyist with a clean conscience. And I wasn't wild about all the drugs that were going into my food source. I know getting MS in a flock is not uncommon. Had it not been so persistent, even in the face of professional treatment and meticulous husbandry, I may have tried to carry on and just breed for resistance. If it happens again, I may do that and just never let them leave the farm. I know in commercial flocks they probably would not depopulate for MS, but they have a natural business cycle where they start fresh periodly for other reasons. It presents more of a problem for an ongoing flock.

 

[dak]

I had a particularly virulent strain of mycoplasma synoviae. It was a variant that caused more respiratory than joint issues. I tried controlling it by consulting with the state vet/lab, and with a private avian vet. Over the course of months the flock kept getting reinfected. Some died, some had chronic respiratory issues, some got secondary infections. A few did OK, (Big Medicine, the SLB were more resistant showing mild symptoms compared to the others), but I couldn't bring anything new in without them getting sick. Ultimately I just got tired of sick birds and being a reservoir for avian diseases. I also wanted to be able to share stock with other hobbyist with a clean conscience. And I wasn't wild about all the drugs that were going into my food source. I know getting MS in a flock is not uncommon. Had it not been so persistent, even in the face of professional treatment and meticulous husbandry, I may have tried to carry on and just breed for resistance. If it happens again, I may do that and just never let them leave the farm. I know in commercial flocks they probably would not depopulate for MS, but they have a natural business cycle where they start fresh periodly for other reasons. It presents more of a problem for an ongoing flock.

Best of luck with your new birds.

 

[Vickis Girls]

Dirt Farmer, I'm not all familiar with the m.s disease your flock was affected with. How do you think they got it in the first place? Once the flock has been destroyed, are you good to go? I mean it doesn't survive in the soil or anything, does it?
Anyway, best of luck with the 13 new chicks!

 

[Dirt Farmer]

Thank you both.
No I'm told MS only lasts a relatively short while in the environment. I've forgotten the details. I may have imported it with stock that appeared healthy but were carriers. It may have come from the wild bird population. I could have carried it home from another farm. (My day job requires that I go onto other peoples properties.) I don't bring chickens into the farm from multiple sources anymore. In fact I've officially closed my flock with these last two shipment of chicks. It will be years before I bring anything else in, I hope. I also modified my pens to keep wild birds and their droppings out of contact. If I visit a farm or show, I change clothes/shoes and sometimes shower before going near my flock. I'm a bit over the top about it.