FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[aj1971]

I had to go buy eggs at Publix for the first time in a few months my girls make better eggs and he did a week

 

[seminolewind]

I had to go buy eggs at Publix for the first time in a few months my girls make better eggs and he did a week

Me too.

 

[Shalom Farm]

Me too.

Yea, me as well. I don't have many layers and many of my hens are retired. I am picking up another bird today, though for exhibition/breeding not for laying. It got me thinking I need to freshen the ranks of my layers, who are all old now aside 1.

 

[cmom]

Don't you guys worry about possibility of introducing disease into your
flocks by going to a swap? Just curious.

I do not buy birds at swaps but do sell birds. My birds are inspected yearly by the state so I am NPIP certified. I m careful with my birds and make sure if I take them to swaps there is plenty of protection in the bottom of the cage as to not let the birds come in contact with the ground so they cannot pick up something. When I sell my birds they are healthy and if the buyer doesn't take proper precautions such as quarantining the birds for awhile before introducing them to their existing flock and the bird dies I do not want to be held responsible. I tell people who buy my birds that the birds should be quarantined for about a month in case the bird they purchased from me is not resistant to something their birds may have been in contact with and their birds may not be resistant to something my bird has been in contact with, but whatever they do it is their choice.

 

[Shalom Farm]

I do not buy birds at swaps but do sell birds. My birds are inspected yearly by the state so I am NPIP certified. I m careful with my birds and make sure if I take them to swaps there is plenty of protection in the bottom of the cage as to not let the birds come in contact with the ground so they cannot pick up something. When I sell my birds they are healthy and if the buyer doesn't take proper precautions such as quarantining the birds for awhile before introducing them to their existing flock and the bird dies I do not want to be held responsible. I tell people who buy my birds that the birds should be quarantined for about a month in case the bird they purchased from me is not resistant to something their birds may have been in contact with and their birds may not be resistant to something my bird has been in contact with, but whatever they do it is their choice.

Definitely agree. Some swaps have dedicated breeders selling B.Q, I've seen S.Q on occasion, but its a matter of being very selective. As cmom stated, there is a cleaniness protocol that should be practiced by sellers. If no effort is made on the seller's part to keep the birds clean, separated, comfortable, and healthy-then its likely not a bird that was managed right to begin with. I won't add that to my flock. I have no problem adding layers from swaps, but from sellers I know or see making a good effort on behalf of their birds to be healthy and clean. Even those healthy birds can carry illness, so a quarantine is required. So far, I haven't had an issue with any of my birds falling ill from swap-bought chickens. Being picky pays off.

 

[Randykr]

Arrgh... my very important rooster has got a bumblefoot..

He is in a separate pen right now already because he's molting and no chicks were being made, so life is pretty quiet for him, but i still need him as my main Black Copper Breeding roo.

I have Tylan50 powder on hand, will this work? and has anyone ever heard of a bumblefoot resolving without resorting to the awful surgery i saw online..

I found also that one of my sbels has it in both feet but it seems very mild with her so I didn't realize what it was at first. It seems with her to be more of a wear and tear issue rather than a specific injury.

BUMBLEFOOT CAN BE FATAL IF UNTREATED! INFECTION CAN GET INTO THE JOINTS AND BONES!
its normally caused by a cut or injury to the pad of the foot resulting in a staff infection, identified by swelling and a dark scab. Injuries from hard landings or a cut or scratch on the foot can cause this. Treatment ASAP. Sometimes surgery is needed if the problem is left untreated.
Inspection weekly will help prevent advanced cases, as some chickens may have initial injury or swelling and may not necessarily be limping yet.

SEE THIS WEBSITE FOR INFO: http://www.grit.com/animals/chicken...nts-advisorygraphic-photos.aspx#axzz2nelLgzzv

I hope this helps

 

[marmca]

Don't you guys worry about possibility of introducing disease into your
flocks by going to a swap? Just curious.

It seems a lot of folks have buyer lined up before they attend

 

[Wednesday]

My concern would be illness months later that did
not present itself in a week to a month in isolation.
Had chickens show symptoms of Coryza months
after I got infected chickens. Contaminated my whole flock.
I read CMOM doesn't take chickens back to her flock
after a swap, she donates them to a feed store. For
everyone else, do you isolate unsold birds for another
month in case of potential exposure?

 

[cmom]

My concern would be illness months later that did
not present itself in a week to a month in isolation.
Had chickens show symptoms of Coryza months
after I got infected chickens. Contaminated my whole flock.
I read CMOM doesn't take chickens back to her flock
after a swap, she donates them to a feed store. For
everyone else, do you isolate unsold birds for another
month in case of potential exposure?

From my experience for most instances a month in quarantine is sufficient. I do have my flock tested yearly. I check my birds over regularly and if I see any issues with any birds I remove them from their flock immediately.

 

[Wednesday]

I support NPIP testing. We should make sure people know that
they do not test for respiratory diseases when they test on an annual
basis. Jennifer Glover from NPIP told me once you see a sick
bird in the flock, they have all been exposed regardless of if
sick bird is removed. I'm not trying to scare anyone. Just want
to make sure people understand the risks and know
NPIP testing is not a gaurentee for an illness free flock.
Dr Gary Butcher, head on avian vet school at UF recommends
only buying chicks and never adult birds to avoid illness in your
flock.