Getting New Chicks During Avian Flu Outbreak

[Aunt Angus]

Hi, all -

We all know about AI by now. Many of us have been directly impacted. My state is one of the very few still without a positive detection. The disease is all over the world, so I know it's just a matter of time before I have to lock up the flock.

I have an order for new chicks coming in a few weeks. I am second guessing this decision because that will be more chickens to protect in a space I may have to limit in order to try to keep everyone safe. I have plenty of room to add more NOW, but not sure about when the flu hits close to home.

What about others? Has anyone canceled orders or stopped hatching because of AI? For those of you still growing your flocks, what helped you to decide to do so even with AI spreading like it is?

No judgment. I am making up my mind, and I want to consider all angles. I figure this will be a helpful topic for others as well.

 

[NBraun2624]

I’m wondering about this too! Really wanted to get some silkie chicks this spring. I would quarantine them but I don’t know how long would be safe for protecting my existing flock

 

[Acre4Me]

@NBraun2624 newly hatched chicks don’t have HPAI, so no quarantine needed. But, if older than that, then you want to quarantine. Usually hatcheries hatch eggs, and those eggs come from other locations, away from the hatchery. If getting from an individual- bio security is key. Different shoes for sure between your place snd theirs.

I’m picking up chicks from a hatchery next week. Our chicken areas are all covered, and no nearby ponds to attract ducks or geese..not that we never see them, but not common. We see mostly songbirds. And right now, many songbirds bc of spring and baby bird season.

 

[Tonyroo]

Since you have an active order of chicks. It would be sensible to have your flock setup to be contained instantly, should the need arise. So having the run and coop with tarps already on and secured. Feed and water situated in a safe spot. And other safety measures in place.

Just something to consider.

 

[BGcoop]

I am hatching a few of my own, plus I bought a few new babies(darn spring chicken math). I figured I might as well. The chicks are going to be separate from my adults for a while anyway as they grow.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Since you have an active order of chicks. It would be sensible to have your flock setup to be contained instantly, should the need arise. So having the run and coop with tarps already on and secured. Feed and water situated in a safe spot. And other safety measures in place.

Just something to consider.

We have started the process, but it needs tweaking.

We live in a heavily wooded area, and our two neighbors have ponds. I say neighbors, but the next door neighbors are 1/3 mile away, and the next neighbor's down are an additional 1/2 mile beyond them. Canada geese are ever-present. They don't usually fly over us, but crows, turkey vultures, hawks, and woodpeckers do all day long. They are in contact with the geese, I'm sure.

We have netting around the run and forage area that is too small for birds to get through. We need to rig tarps overhead asap. We have 3 tarps (2 opaque, one clear) on order. We'll be sinking t-posts to support those because that's what we have on hand for posts. It's just sad that the birds will all be stuck inside this cocoon.

I have chicken shoes that I keep in a garbage can right outside the gate to the run that don't go anywhere else on the property. And one of my farm coats. And we have means to set up a boot washing station, too, if need be. No one else but myself and my husband will be tending the birds. And no visitors into the gated part of the yard. Period. Not even our dogs.

I imagine it will be ok. The horror stories are getting to me, I guess. And memories of the way some flocks were euthanized during the vND outbreak....

 

[Vicktoria Giuergia]

Hi, all -

We all know about AI by now. Many of us have been directly impacted. My state is one of the very few still without a positive detection. The disease is all over the world, so I know it's just a matter of time before I have to lock up the flock.

I have an order for new chicks coming in a few weeks. I am second guessing this decision because that will be more chickens to protect in a space I may have to limit in order to try to keep everyone safe. I have plenty of room to add more NOW, but not sure about when the flu hits close to home.

What about others? Has anyone canceled orders or stopped hatching because of AI? For those of you still growing your flocks, what helped you to decide to do so even with AI spreading like it is?

No judgment. I am making up my mind, and I want to consider all angles. I figure this will be a helpful topic for others as well.

All I know is that the price of eggs (the ones you eat) have skyrocketed.
Can you tell me what the symtems are? I'm in N. Calif.

 

[chickfused]

Hatch. AI doesn't pass to the baby via the development process (I don't think...), and AI won't live on the surface of shipped hatching eggs long enough to be a danger to your flock.

Edit: Apparently AI can grow in hatching eggs, but I'm not sure if the chicks can survive it. It causes red blood cell clotting during their development.

 

[Tonyroo]

We have started the process, but it needs tweaking.

We live in a heavily wooded area, and our two neighbors have ponds. I say neighbors, but the next door neighbors are 1/3 mile away, and the next neighbor's down are an additional 1/2 mile beyond them. Canada geese are ever-present. They don't usually fly over us, but crows, turkey vultures, hawks, and woodpeckers do all day long. They are in contact with the geese, I'm sure.

We have netting around the run and forage area that is too small for birds to get through. We need to rig tarps overhead asap. We have 3 tarps (2 opaque, one clear) on order. We'll be sinking t-posts to support those because that's what we have on hand for posts. It's just sad that the birds will all be stuck inside this cocoon.

I have chicken shoes that I keep in a garbage can right outside the gate to the run that don't go anywhere else on the property. And one of my farm coats. And we have means to set up a boot washing station, too, if need be. No one else but myself and my husband will be tending the birds. And no visitors into the gated part of the yard. Period. Not even our dogs.

I imagine it will be ok. The horror stories are getting to me, I guess. And memories of the way some flocks were euthanized during the vND outbreak....

I'm so glad you have planned out what needs to get done. I think you'll be well prepared. Remember this is for precautionary measure and temporary inconvenience.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm so glad you have planned out what needs to get done. I think you'll be well prepared. Remember this is for precautionary measure and temporary inconvenience.

I just wonder how temporary, though, you know?

I admit I'm feeling a little discouraged. One of my best hens just died a few minutes ago. It's been a rough week.