Eastern Tennessee Thread

[littlechicklet]

Well I guess this is where I jump in, saw you were a bit east of Knoxville, we are in Rogersville, so thought I would wave.

&

 

[littlechicklet]

bairo- thanks that means I will have 4 cockerels to pick from for my hens come spring.

 

[hobbychicken]

Hey sacred , st. Clair here and

 

[hobbychicken]

I think I have decided to get some mottled javas does anyone know of a contact for high quality eggs or chicks?

 

[SacredSax]

Hey over there. Still trying to figure out the how to list on the site. We have Plymouth Partridge Rocks,(28) White Leghorns (2), and some geese (3). Just started my second batch of incubated eggs, temp went way to high on the first try but have it figured out now. A friend has Buffs, I think he might have a light Brahma sent by accident, beautiful bird, Rouen ducks, and one Buff Goose. I'm trying to find someone that is local that has some Light or Dark Brahma, but the lights are prettier birds, just cause I want to see a 12 pound chicken! Anyhow holler back and Merry Christmas.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

Hey now

, why gang up on me?

Because your so "special".

 

[TNBarnQueen]

I agree!! Me too.... We finally decided to turn light on in the barn at 6am and turn them off at 10/11pm and they are finally laying 12-20 per day now. Of course I have threatened them the last 2 months that they would produce breakfast or dinner- their choice. Maybe they finally believed me.

Since it has been really cold for 2 nights now... any frozen nipples? Still trying to see if I want to do the nipple waterers.

My nipples where perfect this morning!! It was around 30 this morning and with the wind blowing I would say the chill factor was lower. It would be worth your trying one first which would be a small investment then see if you like it.
@Sacredsax....OK..want to sell you secret to getting that many a day??

A friend of mine in West TN said she takes up her watering containers at night when it is going to be a possible freezing problem. Dumps them and just puts them back the next morning and fills them back up. I think if we start having really low temps (low teens) that is what I will do.

 

[tennesseeckn]

Hey Strangers!

Sorry I've been out of the loop. Welcome to all the newcomers.

The following is about testing for ILT. So, if you aren't interested, you can start skimming now.

I found a company online that will accept samples sent to them in the mail. I was really excited until I learned that it's $85 per test and that you really have to test three times before you can really say they're clean. Before I even considered it, I called my vet to get his take. He told me that all they would test for was to determine if the bird had ILT antibodies, since clearly none of them are sick at the moment. He said they would most likely test positive for antibodies because either they were exposed when it was going around or because they've developed a natural immunity, which is what I suspect about my orps. He said there is no way to test whether or not the birds would shed the virus in the future, but odds were good that they wouldn't since they've already experienced stress from the weather and by moving birds around and so far everyone is fine. (knocking on wood)

I've talked to a some of reputable breeders and have been shocked to find out that they are completely casual about ILT. One lady said, "Oh, yeah. My birds got that a couple of years ago and they've been fine ever since." And this lady is BIG into breeding and ships all over the country. I just couldn't sleep at night if I did that.
I got a bill from my vet for the testing that UT did and it was almost $600!

I guess it doesn't pay to tick off the pathologist! They estimated the tests would be around $100 total.

I have New-Years-Day-Hatch-envy! I hope everyone takes lots and lots of pictures.

 

[tennesseeckn]

My nipples where perfect this morning!! It was around 30 this morning and with the wind blowing I would say the chill factor was lower. It would be worth your trying one first which would be a small investment then see if you like it.
@Sacredsax....OK..want to sell you secret to getting that many a day??

A friend of mine in West TN said she takes up her watering containers at night when it is going to be a possible freezing problem. Dumps them and just puts them back the next morning and fills them back up. I think if we start having really low temps (low teens) that is what I will do.

I laughed my butt off over that sentence. Not something I expected to read!

 

[Lunar]

Ok...who is NPIP certified and what did you do to become certified? Thanks for any/all advice.