Consolidated Kansas

[Candace69]

So you have to have someone come out and test your flock? It's not something you can request a test kit for, do and send the test in? And it has to be done years to be certified free? Do the birds get bands like the goats and sheep gt the scrapies tags? I know with those they send them free. The reason I am asking is Kelsey is looking at the birds, and we have lots of birds, but looking at getting some more peacocks and doing his pheasants....so need to know what to do and look at costs.

Also, the lot next to bluestem? the one Arby's is in? When we went by there Saturday, I forget the same of the store, but there is a store there now. I would think the Bluestem parking lot would be easiest if it were feasible, also - a possible option, the Emporia Livestock Auction, is just across the street from Bluestem?

 

[Candace69]

Candace, it sounds like your DH's peacock is doing lots better, I'm glad it wasn't something too bad. I'm watching my little hen & will be for awhile to make sure she didn't get something there at the sale. She looks very healthy right now, but there were quite a few sick birds there. I couldn't believe the shape some people brought their birds in. That one cage had a rooster that was throwing blood all over the place & he had an obvious cold.

I didn't see that one, but argh, people need to be a little more responsible IMO. But thanks, I am feeling hugely relieved!

 

[cherwill]

Wow, catching up on all the posts took forever!

I want a Cowboy Town! So cool, but sadly I don't have $20,000 just sitting around waiting to be spent.

Hawkeye, the coop is looking great. Tweety, you've been so busy. You're making me feel lazy ... although we did spend some time yesterday working on a new compost bin. For years, we've shared a pile with our neighbors and had wonderful compost, usually at least 2 years old. They've quit gardening, though, and have had quite a bit of construction done over the last year. They've covered the pile in plants they'd hoped to save (but couldn't) and big twigs and construction debris, and the morning glories she planted to hide the ugliness. We decided we need to make our own pile and finally figured out where we wanted to locate it. It wasn't easy since most of the prime locations are covered with stacks of wood for the fireplace.

I don't want to jinx myself, but I think I'm seeing some progress again with my health. I think the sciatic problem was mostly gone within the first month of seeing this new doc, but my hip seemed to be pretty much frozen. There was little mobility and constant pain. Over the last month or so, I started feeling hopeless about it again. Hopefully I've gotten over the hump and it will continue to get better.

Do any of you have worm bins? DH is getting serious about getting one again and we're trying to figure out where is the best place to keep it. Where do you keep yours and how do you take care of it; what things can go in and what can't? I've heard you shouldn't put potato skins or citrus in?

 

[cherwill]

I forgot. We weren't going to try to raise any more chicks because we don't have any kind of set up for it BUT ... Orscheln's is supposed to be getting Americauna chicks in later this week. I'm trying to resist, but I really want those pretty eggs. They'll look so nice with the tans and golds we get now. LOL

 

[HEChicken]

Do any of you have worm bins? DH is getting serious about getting one again and we're trying to figure out where is the best place to keep it. Where do you keep yours and how do you take care of it; what things can go in and what can't? I've heard you shouldn't put potato skins or citrus in?

I used to and I'd like to get one going again. I kept it in my basement because it was dark and a constant temperature. They loved coffee grounds. I agree no citrus, but don't remember anything about potato skins. There's a good chance I gave them some at one point or another. Oh well. They did an awesome job of turning my kitchen waste into wonderful worm castings and then I blew it by throwing in a few things they didn't like, so they all tried to bolt. I wound up dumping the whole bin into my front garden bed and to this day it is still very rich and full of worms.

I forgot. We weren't going to try to raise any more chicks because we don't have any kind of set up for it BUT ... Orscheln's is supposed to be getting Americauna chicks in later this week. I'm trying to resist, but I really want those pretty eggs. They'll look so nice with the tans and golds we get now. LOL

Keep in mind they are likely Easter Eggers rather than true Ameraucanas, if that matters to you. I must admit it doesn't matter that much to me since all I really want is a colorful egg basket, but it does matter to a lot of people.

 

[chicken danz]

I truly believe that the flu is coming from wild birds. No matter what you do they can get in with your birds. They can squeeze right through 1 inch chicken wire. I blame it on the drought this year. There isn't the normal supply of food and water around for the wild birds so they are drawn to our pens.I've noticed since it finally rained they aren't hanging around as much.
Candace you have to take some classes and pass a test to become certified to test. Then there is a yearly fee to retain your certification. You have to draw blood and use the antigen on a glass plate to do the test. It can't be sent it. It reacts very quickly and after a few minutes you can get a false reading.
Legally you should test your birds once a year. Pullorum is spread through the eggs by the breeders. So if you don't add new birds to your flock you aren't going to have any way to introduce it. I know you have a closed ranch. I don't remember how many birds you have but we might be able to work something out.
The cost goes as follows: It cost $5 per form. Only one person can be on the form. If you have more birds than the form has slots for you have to start a new one. Each one is another $5. The antigen is very expensive and expires so you have to get something to help pay for it. Then the forms all have to be sent to the Dept of Agriculture which means a postal expense. It all adds up. You will be assigned a number and have a form which is your certification your flock is pullorum free. If doing it for a swap you wouldn't use leg bands. Technically you should have numbered leg bands and use those as identification to know when the birds need tested again. I only have a couple sizes of leg bands. Ones for bantams and small birds, and ones for full sized chickens. I've purchased them just for my birds. They aren't cheap either. If I were going to go do someone else's flock I might have to order some different sizes.
For a swap meet you just need to do the tests and not worry about a leg band. Obviously if you only have one bird it could get pricey. I am thinking there is a way to do it for selling birds that may just require one form. That could save some dollars. I need to check into that further.

 

[Marty1876]

Hi everyone.

 

[chicken danz]

Hi Marty. Did you get your turkey eggs yet?
Ivy just came and got her pup. I think her husband was enamored by her. He made Ivy drive home so he could hold the dog. I did take Chopper out to meet them.
It's getting colder outside. I need to finish my watering but had to come in to warm up for a bit.
I've got an incubator full of chicks. I'm not even sure what I have hatched. I had a whole slew of eggs to come out at the same time. I need to load a bunch of eggs too.
I've got tons of duck eggs I need to incubate.

 

[Marty1876]

Hi Chicken Danz! I thought of you when I had to go to moms (by Beto) and borrow her ancient round hovabator to use for a hatcher. Its so aweful though, that I'll have to go buy another one.

Turkeys - well, I've gotten a few eggs, but no Beltsvilles yet. The real ones are soooo hard to find. I've had three offers for midget whites though, and someone is just gonna send me a few with my chocolate turkey eggs (I'm always getting those!) I don't expect to get them until March 5/6 in time for the easter hatch-a-long. I've also ordered B/B/S silkie eggs, and maybe 3 beltsvilles eggs, and 3 small speckled (a private breeders project - small and spotted! LOL) So, I guess the answer is "sort of", if hens lay enough, I get the beltsvilles. (I hope!)

Did you get your midget whites yet??

Its ironic that your selling pyranees pups, we are on the rescue rescoure line for a dog, but I've given up on them now. (by the time I found out you had them, they were sold) Were just gonna adopt a mastiff cross instead thats needing rescued.

Whats new with you? What incubator do you use? I've got a fan hova w/turners (my good bator) and my moms POS, but I'm thinking about either a cabinet one w/hatcher, or just get a new generations hovabator. I've heard good stuff, but afraid I'll get it, then still need another, and by then I may as well have gotten a cabinet one. (kinda pricey though!)

 

[chicken danz]

I know of a GP that is about 9 months old that has to be rehomed. It has not been used as a LGD though, which would require some training. You wouldn't want it around poultry unless you had the time to teach it right from wrong. She is only wanting $50 for him.
I use GQF incubators and a GQF hatcher. I also have two of the little giant styro ones I can use if I run out of space. But since I have 3 big ones plus the big hatcher I only need the smaller ones when the pheasant and every thing start laying.
I don't want the Beltsvilles, only the midget whites. I have 4 blue slates now if they all make it. Hopefully I'll be able to get a trio out of them. I don't have eggs yet. They aren't laying around here. I'm hoping that that will happen in another week or two. I noticed my pheasants courting today so I figure it's about time for turkey.
I had one of those hovabators and gave it to Seramaslovers. I never tried it except to plug it in and set the temp. It was at an auction and I got it cheap. Most people didn't even know what it was..