Granny's gone and done it again

[BantyChooks]

Ok Miss...I have a few quick questions for ya...
What is baddies?  What do you mean by everyone there has the same strains?
and 
What is GF...never mind...I just figured it out.


Just place the order and get it over with...that way once you do get the babies and decide you didn't get enough you will have time to place another order!

Baddies as in MG and possible weak genetics due to the fact I have hatchery stock. As a disclaimer, I have never ever seen a flock here that was healthier than my birds. Most, from what I can see, have MG/CRD or have been exposed. It's everywhere here. They also have lice, mites, and many have more problems than those. They're the silent problems the average flockeeper doesn't take the time to notice and research on. So, not selling birds because they have been exposed to MG is just goosey because even if I had clean birds, they'd get infected the next time a bird came over. So, I think that selling birds that have been exposed to MG and beat it just fine is in the long run better than birds that will get sick when I sell them coz their "clean" immune system gets thrown for a loop. I am breeding for resistance now and my birds are 80% clean.

NOTHING in my flock is deadly. I would NOT sell if that was the case.

MG simply causes runny noses and in the case of some weak birds, bubbly eyes. Plus, it is non-transmittable when birds are not showing symptoms...

So, that's why I'll sell local, but won't take a chance at infecting some part of the world that is clean for some reason.

Make sense? I have thought it over for a very, very long time... This might not be ethical in some areas, where there are big breeders and flockeepers have clean flocks, but here where everyone and their cousin have some chooks in the backyard for eggs it makes no sense. I am the only one I know that practises any measure of biosecurity, so that is why everyone has the same diseases- they swap birds all the time.

 

[BantyChooks]

Also, I don't hatch TO sell. I only get rid of some extras every now and then, and if I sell chicks, I keep them separate from my adults until they're picked up.

 

[Kiki]

Also, I don't hatch TO sell. I only get rid of some extras every now and then, and if I sell chicks, I keep them separate from my adults until they're picked up.

I like you!
I understand everything you just said, now answer me this...
Why aren't all chicken owners....especially ones that have had MG (I need to google that---Im still not sure what it is) or any other baddies that go around their flock...not like you?

In a perfect world..I know.

I haven't EVER brought new chicks/chickens into my current flock (mind you I have only had these girls a few months...7) but now I am getting pretty worried about getting more.

I'm wondering if I should just build a second coop but on the way other side of my yard...and always keep them separated...
boy o boy..this brings up all kinds of new things for me to think about.

 

[BantyChooks]

I like you!
I understand everything you just said, now answer me this...
Why aren't all chicken owners....especially ones that have had MG (I need to google that---Im still not sure what it is) or any other baddies that go around their flock...not like you?

In a perfect world..I know.

I haven't EVER brought new chicks/chickens into my current flock (mind you I have only had these girls a few months...7) but now I am getting pretty worried about getting more.

I'm wondering if I should just build a second coop but on the way other side of my yard...and always keep them separated...
boy o boy..this brings up all kinds of new things for me to think about.

Mycoplasma Gallisepticum. I have spent hours researching it. I can send you the info I have compiled on it if you'd like?

Theoretically, I should be keeping a closed flock. I know many who would kill all the birds if they had respiratory symptoms. It's just that for my area, breeding for resistance makes 200x more sense than getting a new flock each time the wind blows some dust over or my neighbours roos visit.

Quarantine, and you'll be fine. Buying day-olds from a reputable hatchery helps too, but just as a warning many hatcheries aren't MG clean, if that's your goal. Honestly, if I had to hazard a guess, your chickens have been exposed.

Also, I will worm and dust birds before selling.

 

[campingshaws]

x2. That's what the dog crates are for.

 

[Kiki]

Mycoplasma Gallisepticum. I have spent hours researching it. I can send you the info I have compiled on it if you'd like?

Theoretically, I should be keeping a closed flock. I know many who would kill all the birds if they had respiratory symptoms. It's just that for my area, breeding for resistance makes 200x more sense than getting a new flock each time the wind blows some dust over or my neighbours roos visit.

Quarantine, and you'll be fine. Buying day-olds from a reputable hatchery helps too, but just as a warning many hatcheries aren't MG clean, if that's your goal. Honestly, if I had to hazard a guess, your chickens have been exposed.

Also, I will worm and dust birds before selling.

Well the next bunch of chicks/chickens I am getting will be in 3 months.
I have come to know the person I am getting them from pretty well and it seems she keeps a pretty healthy homestead, so I guess I am really NOT TOO worried about bringing anything into my yard.

Im one of those who (just recently) want to send my baby to school with a Micheal jackson mask on his face...not sure that would do any good but poo yi the number of illnesses passed around at his school is crazy.
I do not send him with the mask or gloves and guess what he never catches what the others constantly have.

I like to think I am doing a pretty good job at preventing illnesses/common cold with my humans so I'm pretty sure I can do the same with my girls.

My kids have always played outside in the dirt and in the rain---I do not believe that playing in the rain will make you sick..like some do.


So if my chickens have been exposed to this...MG stuff....(I am pretty sure there are no other chickens within at least a one mile radius of my house..if not more--BUT i do visit my "other" chickens daily who live about 10 miles away, and everyone has chickens over there) I do not wash my shoes when coming home from the "other" chickens either)
would they build up immunity to it...if exposed but not actually having ever shown any symptoms?

Geez..i suck at trying to type out all the thoughts I am thinking at once.

 

[BantyChooks]

Well the next bunch of chicks/chickens I am getting will be in 3 months.
I have come to know the person I am getting them from pretty well and it seems she keeps a pretty healthy homestead, so I guess I am really NOT TOO worried about bringing anything into my yard.

Im one of those who (just recently) want to send my baby to school with a Micheal jackson mask on his face...not sure that would do any good but poo yi the number of illnesses passed around at his school is crazy.
I do not send him with the mask or gloves and guess what he never catches what the others constantly have.


I  like to think I am doing a pretty good job at preventing illnesses/common cold with my humans so I'm pretty sure I can do the same with my girls.

My kids have always played outside in the dirt and in the rain---I do not believe that playing in the rain will make you sick..like some do.


So if my chickens have been exposed to this...MG stuff....(I am pretty sure there are no other chickens within at least a one mile radius of my house..if not more--BUT i do visit my "other" chickens daily who live about 10 miles away, and everyone has chickens over there) I do not wash my shoes when coming home from the "other" chickens either)
would they build up immunity to it...if exposed but not actually having ever shown any symptoms?

Geez..i suck at trying to type out all the thoughts I am thinking at once.

Possibly? Dunno. I have a friend whom I have given birds to that never had symptomatic birds, despite them being exposed, so I know it's possible.

Gotta run

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Quote: I think some people have so many chickens, they are likely to overlook symptoms unless it's something very obvious. Sneezing, fluids/bubbles out of eyes or nose is something you watch for. Lot of these respiratory diseases are spread by wild birds too. Best bet is what you are already doing, keeping your flock as healthy as possible so they have strong immune systems. And quarantine when you add new ones.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I had a nice nap. LOL Sucks cause I have drs. at 8am ! and its an hr. and half away. Fully intended to cancel/change time and slept through it.

 

[Kiki]

I think some people have so many chickens, they are likely to overlook symptoms unless it's something very obvious. Sneezing, fluids/bubbles out of eyes or nose is something you watch for. Lot of these respiratory diseases are spread by wild birds too. Best bet is what you are already doing, keeping your flock as healthy as possible so they have strong immune systems. And quarantine when you add new ones.

Thanks Wish!
You sore yet from moving stuff all day?