Icelandic Chickens

[mlm Mike]

Thank you

Importation seems to be a fairly straight forward deal as far as the US side of things goes, you fill out a simple one page form (linked through the page the Sheriff posted: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/poultry_eggs.shtml) and, if approved, after 5-10 business days you receive permit, which costs $145. From what I've been told that part seems like it is not so hard. A bigger challenge is finding breeders that are willing to take on the considerable hazzle of obtaining the tests and certificates needed to clear the eggs from the other side of the pond. I know breeders that have sold eggs, with papers, for export before and would like to continue to sell abroad but have had such a bad time with the bureaucracy that they've stopped. Then, of course, there is the issue of the inspection when you arrive with eggs at the airport, which I understand can range from friendly to totalitarian.

Thankfully am blessed enough to have access to lots of help from wonderful folks back home that have been willing to go through so much trouble for me to realize my dream of having an Icelandic backyard flock. I honestly don't know if I could be doing this otherwise.

Oh, it's a big headache on the other end. Of course the the importer would reimburse for all the tests, but still, the time and invasion would be hard to compensate for. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[mlm Mike]

The irrigation company hasn't decided yet. Turns out a big truck owned by the county caused the problem. The guy was driving over the top and went too far over to the right, the culvert gave way and his wheel sank into the hole. The truck had to be towed out. The neighbors are reporting the story but substituting my motorhome for the county truck!

What jerks, to be nice on a family site. If it's known it was a county truck, then all taxpayers get to pay for it, hurray.

 

[RingedTeal]

Beautiful pics. Other Mary.

 

[drumstick diva]

Sheriff Mary, your neighbors are in serious need of psychiatric evaluation - in fact maybe 2, like buy one get one free. Whoa what have they been smokin"? The dummy is a nice touch - lol. Maybe you could have a dummy go visit theirs and offer some "dummy" eggs as a peace offering. I'm mighty glad they are YOUR neighbors and not mine. I wonder what the workmen thought of that. Maybe you have some potential witnesses for the neighbor's eventual compentency hearing.

 

[The Sheriff]

My incubator saga continues. I decided not to hatch in the Brinsea cabinet. I can't get the humidity to stay up and lost nine chicks at hatch last weekend. Plus the mess inside was unbelievable. The fans are full of down! So I went in search of a relatively cheap tabletop model, larger than the Brinseas with humidity monitoring and no styrofoam. Tall order my friends! I settled on a cheap model from China, sold by lots of people on eBay. My plan was to move the eggs to the tabletop at lockdown. I have Isbars locking down today for chick orders to ship on Monday. I wanted it today so I paid extra for 2 day shipping. I anxiously awaited the arrival of the FedEx truck. I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the box. The incubator was USED! Not just slightly used but really used. Filthy dirty, didn't work, viewing window completely scratched and unusable, egg yolk dried on one of the windows, screws missing, yada,yada,yada.

This is dried egg yolk.


Viewing window!



One of the corners



More dried yolk!



This is just a small sampling of the pictures I sent to the seller. The seller was shocked. They get these straight from China and they come double boxed and cardboard wrapped around them then tapped tow together. She said they never open them because it makes people think it was used. The sprung into action and rushed to Fedex to get one to me overnight. The shipping was going to cost them $150.00 but they were willing to pay it! Then they found out overnight would cost twice as much as I paid for the incubator and the office for express shipments was already closed. I finally told them to just send it two day to arrive on Tuesday. They told me to kept the first one and use it for parts and they refunded the money I paid for 2 day shipping on it. These people were willing to do whatever it took to get me a new incubator asap. I was so impressed. I thought I couldn't be shocked anymore but they shocked me. They said they didn't even need pictures they took my word for it. They have sold 55 of this model so far with the only problem being a tiny scratch on the plastic.

Michael took it apart and messed around with the wires and the circuit board and got it running! It stabilized quickly once we figured out how to use it. The instructions are in a bad form of Chinese/English. When it was rock steady at 37.7 C and 60% humidity I put my eggs in! It is all plastic inside where the eggs are. It comes shipped in a Styrofoam case and they recommend leaving it on for insulation. It should be super easy to clean. I have 22 Isbar eggs in it for hatch on Sunday. I hope it keeps working. I am going to sleep downstairs tonight so I can monitor any alarms. These chicks are on auction in rarebreeds and already have bids. I need them to hatch! BTW the two orders of chicks I shipped this week arrived alive! Yeah! So here it is in my office humming away! Dirt, dried yuck, and all! Oh yes Kathy, it is Brinsea yellow to match my sunroom!

 

[The Sheriff]

I have to go to bed. Full three days ahead of me! I am meeting Kelly in the morning to turn over four Isbar eggs, incubated and ready to go under her broody for a Sunday hatch. Then a bunch of errands before taking parents to lunch with my sister. I donated my yard for a neighbor's moving sale and she will be setting up tomorrow for the sale starting early Saturday. My granddaughter and her friend are coming to help. Then father's day on Sunday but I am hoping lunch on Friday suffices and I can just help close up the yard sale. Whew!

 

[kathyinmo]

 

[kathyinmo]

X

 

[Miss Molly]

I have to go to bed. Full three days ahead of me! I am meeting Kelly in the morning to turn over four Isbar eggs, incubated and ready to go under her broody for a Sunday hatch. Then a bunch of errands before taking parents to lunch with my sister. I donated my yard for a neighbor's moving sale and she will be setting up tomorrow for the sale starting early Saturday. My granddaughter and her friend are coming to help. Then father's day on Sunday but I am hoping lunch on Friday suffices and I can just help close up the yard sale. Whew!

Hey Mary, I have two 1588 GQF.. They are the new model with the built in temp and humidity..
They work great for hatcherys. They hold over 40 eggs. I can bring them up for you to use if you'd like I'm not going to be using them any time soon...Molly

 

[The Sheriff]

I know, I know! But I couldn't find what I wanted. Keepin' my fingers crossed for a great hatch!