Colorado

[wsmith]

I would have agree also. My egg rate dropped by 50% yesterday also. 3 eggs from six laying hens. It could have been the hail the day before though.
The one constant here in colorado is that things are always changing.

I forgot about the hail! How's the creek today Sam?

 

[Wendi C]

I just got a call from the breeder my last batch of hatching eggs came from. She lost her entire flock of over 300 birds today. Apparently someone who came over to buy some hens had ILT (Infectious Laryngotracheitis) on her shoes that she dragged from home. I had to look it up but the chooks eyes swelled up before they started dying. The only birds left are 5 Pekins. Let this be a lesson as to whom you let into in your coop.

On a brighter note - the contractor doing some remodeling on the kitchen was here this morning and wants my ducks!

This is soo soo sad. I hope your breeder can recover and can start building a healthy flock soon. Thanks for the link on ILT- it seems like I'll have some more reading to complete. It seems like everyday there is something new (and frightening) to learn about.

 

[samsr]

I forgot about the hail!  How's the creek today Sam?

The creek level isnt bad. Flowing at normal height. It came up about 15 inches when the hail and rain came through but it didnt last long.

 

[suncatcher]

I too have seen egg production drop off, never considered it might be the smoke, just thought with the heat they were not laying well.

No smoke today here, so either the wind has changed directions, or they have put out a major portion of the Fremont fire. Did see they have a few fires burning in AZ and New Mexico. The Lime gulch fire they used slurry right away, hope it too is contained! This area had a fire last year. Seems lighting is to blame.

You can put a tray of bleach and water out for any and all visitors, and make sure they use it, that would be one way to keep disease off your property. Is kinda extreme, but they do it at big dairy farms, or in areas where there is an outbreak. I would think outside with the UV from the sunlight, many a virus would not last long, but indoors they might linger on for days!

You just never know when you have animals who can come in with disease, and sicken them.

 

[Minchi]

Yesterday afternoon on my way home from work I noticed a little bit of smoke coming from Ft Carson. This is typical, and after about 30 minutes they got the small fire out. aFter supper I had to go back into the Springs to take Hannah to a basketball game at Palmer downtown. When we left we couldn't even see 1/2 milem the smoke was so bad. We were concerned..... It was better when we got home at about 10:30 PM, but still there.

I hear that some areas of Huefano and Fremont countys are being evacuated. If any of them need a place for their chickens during the evacs, let us know.

That being said, at our place we will only accept healthy birds. See pfunk's posts above........

Yes please only healthy birds, I am so close to getting mine back. DH and I were up all night from the lime creek fire. The smoke was so bad and I think the window in our hotel is not sealed properly.

The Huefando fire looks like it is getting really bad. I hope we get some rain down there soon, my prayers are with those who lost there homes and those who fear they might.

 

[trochefarm]

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex2216 Here is the most helpful link to ILT I've found. Deeann, the breeder, is cleaning, bleaching, cleaning, bleaching, repeating. When CU showed up they tested all her birds and decided to cull all those remaining. I offered up a few of my birds and a pressure washer, but she said it was best if I stayed away. At least the peeps at CU let her borrow 2 incubators, so she has 5 running now after dipping all the eggs in bleach water.
Sorry to hear about all the smoke but just think about how much worse it could be

It doesn't sound as though vaccinating against this is advised, either. The only people who come around my chickens are my kids and grandkids, but I guess that's no guarantee we're safe, either. I guess I'll need to be very careful about who comes near them, and think twice about places I visit. :-(

 

[WendyGeisler]

DearBYCers
Here is an email I got today from my Take A Peak Chicken Coop Tour organizer. I am trying to tie these two internet worlds together. Let me know what you think. or you are welcome to email Maria directly back at her email address (below)
Wendy

Dear Chicken Coop-ers,

I'm interested in starting a mobile meat processing unit for chickens. I keep hearing that there is a need for butchering services among backyard birders here in the Springs. In this one-time email, I would like to ask for your response to this possible niche opportunity. Please respond to the following questions to [email protected].

Are you interested in butchering services for your backyard birds?

Even though it's a mobile unit, would you be willing, initially, to travel to a convenient location for these service?

How far would you be willing to travel?
Up to 10 miles?
10 - 15 miles?

How much would you be willing to pay per bird for these services?
Up to $5?
More than $5 but less than $10?

Would you like to be on my email list to learn more about the mobile meat processing unit for chickens?

Thank you very much for your responses.
Regards,
Maria Plafcan

 

[P-Funk]

I don't eat my


pets.

 

[samsr]

Six eggs from six hens today with the smoke around. It must have been the hail and severe storm the day before yesterday that slowed my hens down laying. At least that is what it looks like so far. We will see if my hypothesis (word of the day) has any merit as the days go on.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

The weather in our area has had a pretty good impact my group as well. The girls dropped off to one or two eggs a day since Monday. Today we got three eggs from our four chickens.

Hopefully they are on the rebound.

http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/0/0e/900x900px-LL-0e93112b_IMG_0730.jpeg