I'm going through chicken buying/trading withdrawl

[TubbyChicken]

I bought our first flock from a guy who sold us very sick chickens (we've since rehomed and completely sanitized and then started over with hatchery chiks)...Now I'm terrified to purchase from anyone who hasn't been tested or who has chickens that might be exposed to something...

This hatchery thing is for the birds (ha!) I want to deal with real people and rebuild my flock without having to deal with day olds in the fragile stages and going through weeks of roo suspicion.

So...I'm asking myself, is it worth it? Couldn't my chicks be exposed to airborne diseases through postal workers and even customers who go through the post office? Are my hatchery birds not of lesser quality and could that genetic weakness (from breeding specimens that aren't the best quality) mean they might be less resistant to disease?

My rationalization is making perfect sense. LOL I can't wait for Feb. to roll around. Maybe having those little fluffy balls of stink and dust will squash my chicken trading/buying need. It's so hard being addicted to chickens but being afraid to get some from the average chicken person. LOL

 

[Jenski]

Ahhh, sounds like it's time . . . to hatch eggs!!

 

[needmorechickens!]

Awwww, I know how you are feeling. I am just itchin' to fire up the bator!
I got a broody outside right now, but I just can't see hatching the chicks out there in the cold.
~Rebecca

 

[Mahonri]

Enjoy what you have.

There are always going to be deaths.

There will always be disappointments.

Enjoy the ride.

 

[ThiefPouter06]

I can share with you what I learned from my experiances with pigeons. If the seller isnt sure of what breed they are dont buy. If he calls them by some name that they are not or you havent heard of, dont buy. If he keeps things at his place in bad shape you can guess the birds health will match. But yes with birds they are either healthy or dead. Same with pigeons. Find some one who keeps his chickens for the fun of the hobby, find the guy/gal who loves their breed and knows some of their history. Not the guy who sells what ever he can get at the "swap". Just some advice.

 

[GaHermit]

Hi there Tubby

You been around this fourm for some time. It is very true one must start off on the right foot. I don't know where you live. I would hope you were close to me, I can allways use a new coustmer. You are on the right path, but still have a way to go.

#1. Buy from a place that is inspected by NPIP. Try to find someone that has purchased from them.

#2.what you say about chicks picking up somthing along the postal routes is rather doubtfull. Chicks that die in route or shortly after arriving, is usuly caused from the place they came. It may not have been inspected. Or the person that recived them didn't care for them properly. That covers too many things That I can cover here.

#3. Brooder must be kept at proper Temp. I put electorlites in the water for the first week after arriving. even those I hatch and am keeping for my self.

#4. chicks can only be shipped the same day they hatch and they Must not be fed or watered. They must arive in 3 days or less. Some people don't agree with me, but these are very basic rules of NPIP.

Check out my web page www.babychicks.biz If you live in Ga. most of my chicks arive over night. Most border states 2 days and as far away as Maine 3 days.

I hope this will help you in getting started again. If you have any questions you can E-Mail me.

Herm