INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[browncow15]

Anyone have a bator I can borrow to use as a hatcher? Or any suggestions on doing a staggered hatch? I couldn't resist a dozen Marans eggs so now my bators full and my hatch dates are a week apart!

 

[PeacefulWalls]

Here is the link to the government website, as well as the official pdf of the release - the number of the person who wrote it is on there, I am sure she is inundated with questions! You also could call the hatchery and find out what they say:

http://www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm

http://www.in.gov/boah/files/ExhbtnPoultry_Ban_EmRule_PR_5-27-15(3).pdf

Are your meat birds considered a private sale? I don't know. I think there are a lot of unanswered questions people have so hopefully there will be more press releases to clarify matters.

Quote:
My order was part of the monthly order through my feed mill. The hatchery delivers everyone's chick order to the feed mill & we pick them up there. Hopefully this will still be OK!

 

[Proverb31mama]

for trying to keep your chickens by the coop, if you have some garden fencing. That will keep them by it till they learn were it at. So, you don't have to chase them, every time you give them their food or treats say here chick chick or something like that and they will come running every time you call them. They pick up in no time.

We do have step in posts and extra chicken wire from fencing in the garden. I think we will put up a temporary fenced in area by the coop for them tonight.

X 2 - a temporary enclosure with step in posts and any ol' light barrier you have available will help to keep them more *gathered* for you and enable you to start with some recall training.  I like to use an empty water bottle with a handful of grit in it.  Give that a shake and the noise is really quite audible - teach them to associate the shake of the bottle with the tossing of scratch.  Shake, treat, repeat.  Then start moving away from them, let them become focused on something and shake the bottle - they will come towards you and you can toss the scratch.  This is when it clicks for them and soon you can go out, not see a chicken in sight, give that bottle a good shake and see them come from every direction at top speed.  The shaker bottle is a universal sound so that no matter who goes out to gather the birds the sound is the same (very helpful in multi-people families or if you ever have a chicken sitter keeping care of your flock)

I like the water bottle shaker idea. I will have to make one and try that.

 

[Proverb31mama]

Indiana Limits Bird Movements to Protect Against Avian Influenza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS (27 May 2015)—To protect Indiana’s poultry from potential exposure to H5 avian influenza virus, the members of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) have ceased all bird movements to events in the state that allow commingling of birds from different locations. This includes shows, exhibitions and public sales (such as flea markets, swap meets, sale barns). This prohibition will stand until further notice, likely through the end of 2015.
The action does not apply to private sales between individuals.
“This was not a decision made lightly,” said Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM. “The spread of the H5 viruses has been unprecedented, and our goal is to protect the health of small, backyard poultry flocks as much as our commercial industry from this disease.”
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), while deadly to domestic poultry, does not present a food safety threat. Further, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has stated the virus poses little risk to human health.
Sixteen states, primarily in the Upper Midwest, have had diagnosed cases of HPAI, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 million birds. Indiana had a single, backyard flock diagnosed earlier this month.
Dr. Marsh explained that BOAH plans to open a public comment opportunity in June to receive input from poultry owners and others about strategies to reopen public shows and sales. “We are looking for ways to restore our public bird events in a way that will reduce or eliminate opportunities for disease to spread and threaten backyard flocks statewide.
Poultry owners who notice illness in their birds consistent with avian influenza are encouraged to call the Healthy Birds Hotline at 866-536-7593 to speak with a state or federal veterinarian.
Hoosiers who notice five or more dead feeder-type wild birds should contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 812-334-1137.
More information about Indiana’s response to HPAI is online at: www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm .
##
CONTACT: Denise Derrer: 317-544-2414; email: [email protected]

Denise Derrer
Public Information Director
Indiana State Board of Animal Health
Discovery Hall, Ste. 100
1202 E. 38th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205-2898
Phone: 317-544-2414
www.boah.in.gov

BOAH: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

IN.GOV

Is it dangerous to buy hatching eggs from other farms? Is there an chance of transference with eggs?

 

[ChickCrazed]

Finally got my egg test results back from Purdue (sent in Feb)! All clear! That is a relief! They had a huge backlog because they have been testing for AI instead of running egg screenings. So anyone still waiting on results, they appear to be processing them finally!

I am also wondering if they will lock down poultry shipments from other states, I am guessing it is coming at some point. I'm not entirely sure it will do much good since it is already in the state, but I could see them being cautious and doing it anyway. I think shutting down poultry meets/swaps is a good thing. Those are so rife with diseases anyway, it is only a matter of time before someone with AI infects half the state through a swap.

 

[Proverb31mama]

We don't have a run. I didn't know you needed one with free range chickens. We had a shed we converted into a coop. Does everyone have a run?

My husband wanted to know how runs help with protection for free ranging, how do the chickens get in without letting the predators in?

Do you keep the coop open to the run all the time even at night when you are on vacation?

 

[ChickCrazed]

We don't have a run. I didn't know you needed one with free range chickens. We had a shed we converted into a coop. Does everyone have a run?

My husband wanted to know how runs help with protection for free ranging, how do the chickens get in without letting the predators in?

Do you keep the coop open to the run all the time even at night when you are on vacation?

I free range and have a run. After a predator attempt (in my case Hawks), it helps to lock them in for at least a few days. I think it is a bit cruel not to have an enclosed outdoor space in such a case, if I did not I would have to lock them in the coop to keep them safe until the predator moves on. Mine also feel "safe" in their run and will run and hide in there when things get scary, but they are still able to get fresh air and stimulation. Sometimes a run is just chain link or livestock fencing with bird netting on top, it doesn't have to be fancy or SUPER predator proof, just more of a predator deterrent than the wide open free range area. I also find it useful to be able to enclose them for a few hours if I have visitors or work happening around the house that could lead to them getting squished (e.g. excavation work that will be happening this summer). Just my thought!

 

[twoboystwogirls]

I free range and have a run. After a predator attempt (in my case Hawks), it helps to lock them in for at least a few days. I think it is a bit cruel not to have an enclosed outdoor space in such a case, if I did not I would have to lock them in the coop to keep them safe until the predator moves on. Mine also feel "safe" in their run and will run and hide in there when things get scary, but they are still able to get fresh air and stimulation. Sometimes a run is just chain link or livestock fencing with bird netting on top, it doesn't have to be fancy or SUPER predator proof, just more of a predator deterrent than the wide open free range area. I also find it useful to be able to enclose them for a few hours if I have visitors or work happening around the house that could lead to them getting squished (e.g. excavation work that will be happening this summer). Just my thought!

I absolutely agree. We love to free range but are very glad we put up a pretty big run. We are keeping them contained in there right now with AI scares and also when we put in our garden. They will just ruin it unless we keep them away until all the seedlings pop up. Plus, when I am gone for the day I will let them out into the run but not into the entire yard.

 

[flyladyrocks]

We do have step in posts and extra chicken wire from fencing in the garden. I think we will put up a temporary fenced in area by the coop for them tonight.
I like the water bottle shaker idea. I will have to make one and try that.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I free range and have a run. After a predator attempt (in my case Hawks), it helps to lock them in for at least a few days. I think it is a bit cruel not to have an enclosed outdoor space in such a case, if I did not I would have to lock them in the coop to keep them safe until the predator moves on. Mine also feel "safe" in their run and will run and hide in there when things get scary, but they are still able to get fresh air and stimulation. Sometimes a run is just chain link or livestock fencing with bird netting on top, it doesn't have to be fancy or SUPER predator proof, just more of a predator deterrent than the wide open free range area. I also find it useful to be able to enclose them for a few hours if I have visitors or work happening around the house that could lead to them getting squished (e.g. excavation work that will be happening this summer). Just my thought!

X 2 - even if you only use your run once (or possibly never at all) it is invaluable during the times that you need it. We only range a short time each day due to the dog situation in our area, so a run is necessary - but even if we were able to free range (as I have in the past in other locations) I would have a run just in case. So much easier than scrambling to cobble something together (especially since emergencies always seem to happen when funds are short to begin with) when the need arises. I'm hoping to modify our pasture fencing this summer to better secure a larger area for the birds to be able to be out in w/out one of us needing to be within earshot/eyesight to assure the neighbors dogs, and our birds, are all on the right side of the property lines.