- Dec 4, 2012
- 7
- 0
- 7
I just had the state agricultural dept come out and check my chickens so I could get my NPIP Certification. After all of my chickens were tested (with the same surgical utensil) we had a nice long chat. He says that approximately half of all chicken houses in GA are positive for MG (chronic respiratory infection), which can wipe out a whole flock if not treated. So, i spoke with a friend of mine are these are some combined issues that came up.
Basically, the guy from the Ag. Dept. (real cool guy by the way) says that I should start fresh with a new flock and buy from nationally recognized hatcheries or other NPIP members. Then, he says that most of your large hatcheries have their own birds tested (to remain NPIP compliant), but because of varying state laws, most are not required to purchase NPIP hatching eggs from other distributers; hence, the day old chicks could come to you "could" already infected. He says that most (but not all) respiratory illnesses in fowl can be transmitted through the air. That got me to thinking, if 50% of chicken houses are positive for some disease, and I spread manure in our pasture, how in the world will i ever keep my chickens disease free???
Is there anything i can do to make sure the spread of these various diseases are reduced? I would hate to know that I got rid of my current flock, purchased new chicks, waited 4 months to test them, and they wind up positive again...
I just don't get understand
Basically, the guy from the Ag. Dept. (real cool guy by the way) says that I should start fresh with a new flock and buy from nationally recognized hatcheries or other NPIP members. Then, he says that most of your large hatcheries have their own birds tested (to remain NPIP compliant), but because of varying state laws, most are not required to purchase NPIP hatching eggs from other distributers; hence, the day old chicks could come to you "could" already infected. He says that most (but not all) respiratory illnesses in fowl can be transmitted through the air. That got me to thinking, if 50% of chicken houses are positive for some disease, and I spread manure in our pasture, how in the world will i ever keep my chickens disease free???
Is there anything i can do to make sure the spread of these various diseases are reduced? I would hate to know that I got rid of my current flock, purchased new chicks, waited 4 months to test them, and they wind up positive again...
I just don't get understand
