INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

A discussion of Mareks Disease (MD), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and bio-security that just finished on the Heritage Large Fowl thread might be of interest to all on this thread, but to amwchickin and pipd in particular. The upshot of much of the talk between those mostly showers and breeders, as I read it, seems to be that MD and MG are everywhere, and it is inevitable that chickens will contract them, so there is no sense in taking bio-security measures or culling sick birds. Some believe that the strong will survive and will produce stronger progeny, while those birds who need meds to survive or who survive poorly should be culled. A few saw no reason not to take these survivor birds (who carry and spread disease) to shows or sell them, since they believe that the diseases are unavoidable anyway. It all seemed like a great way to ensure the spread of disease The discussion runs on the Heritage Large Fowl thread from page 1588, post #15873, through page 1595.

So...what did you conclude after reading the discussion? (I do have an opinion or 2, but interested to hear your thoughts.)

 

[gunchief25]

Mornin all... Cockadoodledoo

 

[amwchickin]

Thanks to everyone who commented on my sick flock and gave me info. I really appreciate it. I'm going to try and find some Erythromycin. I think it's pretty common and will check with my vet on price there. Even though I am surrounded by Perdue and Farbest farms, the vets around here do not do much with chickens. I think awhile back someone was talking about Perdue doing necropsies, anyone have info on that?

What are people's thoughts on eating the eggs after medicating? I know we can't contract the actual disease, but is there any residual effects from them? I won't ever incubate any now...

The most practical thing for me would be to probably cull the whole flock. But how do you do that being so attached!! I have a list of breeds I would love to add, but that would only be trouble in the long run.

There are so many possibilities and what if's, etc. There are no easy answers or solutions.

Well, it looks like I have my work cut out for me. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[FarkerFarms]

They dont fly, or at least the ones I have seen. Maybe their are different types of tumbler pigeons. An older guy that owns a farm out in Berne. Was nice enough to show around him farm. he has camels, emus, rheas, mules, donkeys, chickens, exotic goats, pheasants, and tumbler pigeons. He gave ma a whole lesson on camels and tumbler pigeons. He told me that they are unable to fly and he got one, tossed it towards the ground and it just went tumbling away on the ground. i askd him why they tumbled and he said that it is bred into them.Very interesting birds.

Maybe there is more than one kind. If you do a youtube search of tumbler pigeons you can see the flying kind that my neighbor has. They are super cool!

 

[FarkerFarms]

A discussion of Mareks Disease (MD), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and bio-security that just finished on the Heritage Large Fowl thread might be of interest to all on this thread, but to amwchickin and pipd in particular. The upshot of much of the talk between those mostly showers and breeders, as I read it, seems to be that MD and MG are everywhere, and it is inevitable that chickens will contract them, so there is no sense in taking bio-security measures or culling sick birds. Some believe that the strong will survive and will produce stronger progeny, while those birds who need meds to survive or who survive poorly should be culled. A few saw no reason not to take these survivor birds (who carry and spread disease) to shows or sell them, since they believe that the diseases are unavoidable anyway. It all seemed like a great way to ensure the spread of disease The discussion runs on the Heritage Large Fowl thread from page 1588, post #15873, through page 1595.

That sure is interesting. I don't totally disagree about the diseases being unavoidable since you can't control wild birds or neighboring flocks, both of which could easily bring a disease into your birds. For me, I have a close neighbor that raises the tumbler pigeons and at least three other large flocks of chickens within 1/4 mile of my house. There is only so much you can control. For me, I am operating under the "don't take really stupid risks and just leave the rest up to fate" philosophy. But, I have a small backyard flock and am not breeding or showing expensive birds.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: I did not read the entire thing, but I tend to take bio measures when adding new birds, going to the feed store means a change of clothes but not always a shower before tending to the chickens, I attend shows increasing the risk some, and I have people that come to my property to buy chicks, increasing the risk more. After all is said and done, I think I lean towards the idea that there is a risk everywhere and stronger birds will survive. However I'm not going to purposely drastically increase that risk by tossing a brand new bird from a show right into the middle of my flock.

 

[hogster160]

A discussion of Mareks Disease (MD), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and bio-security that just finished on the Heritage Large Fowl thread might be of interest to all on this thread, but to amwchickin and pipd in particular. The upshot of much of the talk between those mostly showers and breeders, as I read it, seems to be that MD and MG are everywhere, and it is inevitable that chickens will contract them, so there is no sense in taking bio-security measures or culling sick birds. Some believe that the strong will survive and will produce stronger progeny, while those birds who need meds to survive or who survive poorly should be culled. A few saw no reason not to take these survivor birds (who carry and spread disease) to shows or sell them, since they believe that the diseases are unavoidable anyway. It all seemed like a great way to ensure the spread of disease The discussion runs on the Heritage Large Fowl thread from page 1588, post #15873, through page 1595.

I'm sorry but imho, bio-security is not just for MD/MG, although I do feel there is not much we can do to stop the spread of it. There are lots of things I could bring home to chickens. Who if they had md, may have a lower immune system, and be more prone to be ill from what I bring home. My reason for bio-security is the safety of my birds. I give no meds to my birds, only vitamins. And yes, only the strong survive. I don't go to shows, show my birds, immunize or go to other places where chickens are. Just my 2 cents.

That sure is interesting. I don't totally disagree about the diseases being unavoidable since you can't control wild birds or neighboring flocks, both of which could easily bring a disease into your birds. For me, I have a close neighbor that raises the tumbler pigeons and at least three other large flocks of chickens within 1/4 mile of my house. There is only so much you can control. For me, I am operating under the "don't take really stupid risks and just leave the rest up to fate" philosophy. But, I have a small backyard flock and am not breeding or showing expensive birds.

I agree, why go out of my way to do something stupid that may cause me to cull my whole flock and start all over. I don't drink and drive so I get to buy a new car lol. (actually I don't drink at all, just using it as a very stupid idea) I believe we can not avoid it forever. And those that survive will build you a stronger flock over the long haul.

I did not read the entire thing, but I tend to take bio measures when adding new birds, going to the feed store means a change of clothes but not always a shower before tending to the chickens, I attend shows increasing the risk some, and I have people that come to my property to buy chicks, increasing the risk more. After all is said and done, I think I lean towards the idea that there is a risk everywhere and stronger birds will survive. However I'm not going to purposely drastically increase that risk by tossing a brand new bird from a show right into the middle of my flock.

I change clothes as well, normally not a shower though. Washing hands yes. I don't even get new birds. I hatch my own eggs. All though I did have to get a rooster to do this. I have 15 chickens and all are pullets. So when I had a hen go broody, I got fertile eggs locally and hatched those. 6 out of 10 hatched. And I think all are boys. I will probably keep 2 and freezer the other 4.

With the idea that some people take their MD birds to show them, bothers me some. And then they sell them? IMHO that is very irresponsible and just plain crazy. Are they telling the buyers they have MD in their flock? For that reason, I will not go to shows and buy my birds. That's just nuts!

I'm only doing chickens so I can feed better food to my family. I don't want my eggs and meat to have loads of meds or disease. If that was the case, I'd buy from the store. In the long run, we have to do what we have to do. Any sick birds in my flock will be culled. I have one bird, who needs vitamins. She lays me an egg faithfully 5 days a week. I had a MD scare. Do I have it in my flock? Necropsy says no. But I still act responsible and use bio-security measures when it comes to my chickens. And by using bio-security I'm also being responsible towards your chickens. If I had something, and by using bio-security, I'm increasing my odds of not sending it home with you when you visit the feed store I use. Or the grocery store for that matter. And that makes me feel better. So that's what I do.






I don't post a lot on BYC, but I do read a lot. There are a lot of people who bash other people for not being responsible for their animals. Dogs in particular. Because dogs get loose and kill their flock. How is selling birds, showing birds with MD/MG any different! Especially if they don't tell the buyer they have MD/MG in their flock. Because MD/MG does kill your flock, just a lot slower than the dog would have. Just my humble opinion of course. And not pointing any fingers. Just in general my feelings about the whole matter.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thank you, Hogster.

Good post and expresses much of my thinking better than I could have myself. As always, just my .02.

 

[iamfivewire]

Was reading a blog online. Turns out that the writer has a special chicken with a special answer to the Cockeral or Pullet question. If you search for "Unclear Gender/Sex? Is My Chicken an Hermaphrodite? The Story of the Gynandromorph Chicken" on google the article will come up. Turns out the chicken is not a crowing rooster or a laying hen yet.

We have wondered if our EE cockrel has a similar anomily as this - although he's male / male on both sides (not male / female) , so depending if you look at him from the left side or right side, he looks like 2 different birds with totally differing colors & patterns either side . . . .

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Yes, if its underground it should be ok.

Ok, thanks

Comments I forgot to say on my last post:

Toodlesmom-- I enjoy your funny comments I can relate to!

Pimento Plymouth- Please go to page 1584, post 15838 to find more info about this thread.

Exop -- I appreciate your descriptive report about the Lebanon Show!

CCCHICKENS-- Your flock photos were lovely! I particularly liked the gold Millie and the blue bantam Ameracauna or whichever Araucana... I can't easily go back to check since I'm using the lame, inadequate BYC mobile app on my iPad.

Mille fleur belgian d'uccle and blue ameraucana And thank you!