Glad I chose NOT to show our Quail this year at Fair....

[kahlertm]

Spoke again with Poultry barn leaders and the children with sick birds have been advised to either quarantine their birds OR if the parents and kids don't have this kind of set up and time to devote, to confirm and illness with a vet in order to make the decision to cull the sick birds as observed and pointed out.
So all of the said kids were pulled aside with parents and told about the "sting" that JJ mentions. I spoke with some of the families with older kids (Sr and Jr. in High School age) and they were all in agreement that most of what goes to fair does get culled or set aside for 21 days/month, OR is on medication prior to and during the show (chicken and turkey wise). Turkeys and meat pens obviously harvested most often whether they made "market" or not.

Regarding the Posters Alex. That is what the little dude and I did. We entered eggs and two Posters outlining our projects.

I talked about next year and one of the 4-H leaders are really not wanting to have gamebirds there at all. We have outgrown our barn. We have to split it in half with the rabbits. Turkeys as it is, are in an outdoor shaded giant kennel area the local Co-op donates for fair. I don't want it to go that far yet... I want to explore options. But if other States like Fl. have seen it and don't do it anymore, well that's a clue.

I believe the problem diffused. It is true that shows are just petri dishes for upper respiratory at the least.

I can see many of us have different species and get by without disaster too often. But right next to one another in a row of chickens is just impossible for a Coturnix at a show.

7 hours after arriving showing swollen eyes also makes me think that it what we are looking at had an incubation period. Perhaps the birds (Coturnix) were sick prior. I don't know the incubation period for some of these upper respiratory issues. I need to go to the Merck Vet Manual and familiarize myself.
For the most part, the rest of the barn looks fine perfectly fine. Last year one with visable mites went right home, so I know they are really trying to be on top of this. Until I am in their shoes I should just offer help and stand by.


I love our superintendents and administration, kids and parents. Please do not take my post as airing dirty laundry about our lovely community that is growing with it's interest in the poultry. I am proud that they have the drive and interest. This is one of those "growing pains" things that we work out as a 4-H and fair community. Please see this as my speaking with my peers in both venues. I adore you all and want only the best for the kids and the birds. Like JJ said, it's gone on FOREVER...Epidemiology 101 ...isn't it the truth...

I would not want the superintendents coming on the forum and thinking any thing other than brainstorming is going on here on good management. That is who I am and what I think we do.

Thank you guys.

I have offered to send a mass copied instructional page of directions on how to quarantine a bird. Something GOOD should become of this as you have all said...education, education, education. And rounding up those kids who show open class and at least inviting them to a session. Heck, I am now thinking about a community class, since the BY in BYC does not only apply to just the C anymore. People dig other poultry too. Why not do a biosecurity class for all interested at the fairgrounds this winter or Rec Center... There... a PLAN. "Safely Sustainable" could be what it is called. Just thinkin out loud

Thank you again.

Tonya

 

[MobyQuail]

taking notes Tonya, well said! gonna be talking about our Ag fair with my sis and may take your advice of just doing Quail posters and showing eggs.

also, with chickens, hard to find exhibitors of heritage birds when we know what can happen to their birds.

really gonna have to think over the whole chicken race thing... bio-security = #1

do appreciate everyone's informative and forward thinking way of communicating this, TD

 

[shelleyd2008]

If it was me, I think I'd be calling the state vet to come test the birds NOW. If it is AI you don't want any of those birds to leave there alive. They should also quarantine the entire building (no one but 'authorized' personnel) and not let any birds leave until they get the results of the tests.

If it turns out to be MG (or some other type of mycoplasma) then the owners can decide what to do with their own birds, but if it is AI every bird in that building, whether or not they are showing symptoms, would have to be put down.

 

[JJMR794]

A Little More Food For Thought Tonya... Something You Wanna Share With Your Poultry Group.... Ai And Mycoplasma (the 2 Most Likely Culprits For Periorbital Edema In Gamebirds) Do Not Respond To Any Antibiotics Prophylactic Or As Primary Treatment Once Infection Is Noted... I Would Really Stress That To These Kids And Push Hard For Severe Isolation Once Home

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
VERY GOOD POINT SHELLEY... NOT ONLY WOULD EVERY BIRD IN A 1/4 MILE RADIUS BE PUT DOWN BUT THEY'D LIKELY TORCH THE BARN TOO.... THEY'RE PRETTY TWITCHY ABOUT AI

 

[shelleyd2008]

I don't know if you're serious or joking, but if the birds showed symptoms that quickly it's probably something serious. Better safe than sorry I say.


Most likely the coturnix had MG before they even came there and the stress from their trip exacerbated the condition. Birds always have MG but it doesn't always show. Usually the symptoms (facial swelling, coughing, sneezing, etc) are just that...symptoms. They can be fine and dandy until something stresses them out (molting, moving, fighting, etc) then the symptoms return. You can treat the symptoms but you cannot treat the disease...it will always be there.

 

[JJMR794]

I don't know if you're serious or joking

ABOUT 3/4 SERIOUS, 1/4 COMEDIC EMBELISHMENT... LAST I HEARD ANY CONFIRMED AI OUTBREAK IMMOBILIZED BOTH THE CDC AND USDA... THEY'RE PRETTY FREAKED OUT ABOUT THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING AN ACTUAL "TOEHOLD" TYPE OF OUTBREAK GETTING STARTED. DONT KNOW IF ITS ACTUALLY WARRANTED OR NOT, YOU KNOW HOW BUREAUCRATS CAN BE, BUT NEVER-THE-LESS THEY ARE PRETTY TWITCHY ABOUT THAT 1.​

 

[kahlertm]

Quote:
Thank you for this. Will do. Will get mailing list of all club leaders and members and even participants that were Open Class and send them myself.

Tonya

 

[kahlertm]

Quote:
Considering options here Shelly. It is a fine line...to start panic.... to do the absolute right thing.
The superint. told me he spoke with families involved and all should be culled. Period. He stated it was understood by parents and family. We will see what happens. Ag extention office is aware. He is the direct line to the state.

Tonya