INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Again, I would rather be proactive than pessimistic about it. If there is a chance my actions can prevent HPAI from getting to my girls, no matter how remote, I would rather do something than just sit back and hope it doesn't come my way. Just my personal take at the moment.

Thank you for the Oxine dilution numbers.



Editing to add, I meant to quote Chicknmania for this post.

 

[bradselig]

Again, I would rather be proactive than pessimistic about it. If there is a chance my actions can prevent HPAI from getting to my girls, no matter how remote, I would rather do something than just sit back and hope it doesn't come my way. Just my personal take at the moment.

Thank you for the Oxine dilution numbers.



Editing to add, I meant to quote Chicknmania for this post.

I can understand were you are coming from yet on the other hand, I want my chickens to still be chickens. If they become permanently confined, then I'd rather not have them to begin with. I will be smart and minimize/eliminate visitors (I rarely have any to begin with) and more strict on biosecurity. However I ultimately still want to be able to enjoy the birds. If this threat prevents me from doing so, then I will dissolve my flock. It's not fair to them, IMO.

 

[raisinemright]

I'm with ya Brad, my chickens will be chickens. If I had to confine them all I would rather not have any of them. I'm just thankful so far mine are just as healthy as ever and hope it stays that way.. Most of my birds have been completely free range their entire life. I would see it being more cruel to cage them up.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I'm not talking about permanently crating my birds or anything. If anything, if I hear of it within a county or two of me, I'll keep my birds inside until I see announced any quarantines have passed, as they have been in other states. I don't want my chickens to be miserable, but at the same time I want them to be alive. I don't know, I'd rather see them uncomfortable for a month or two than lose them all.

BUT, they are definitely pets, only pets. USDA compensation would not compensate for the emotional toll that losing these birds would have on me. They are literally the only thing that gets me through some days. I can't lose that. I feel ill just considering the possibility.

Again, just my opinion--And I'm not by any means saying that anyone should do exactly as I will for my birds.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Augh, now I'm thinking about it and getting all weepy over my half-written German essay that's due in the morning. Mind if I post some happy thoughts and recent pictures of the girls? From the past couple weeks, but I don't think I've posted any of them here.

The Dorking girls and Georgie, my Black Copper Marans. They were all vying for my attention.

Skua's sweet face. Although, she looks more hungry than sweet...

Roha (Exchequer Leghorn) demanding her attention:

Poppy the Legbar. No idea.

Frou-Frou (Splash Marans) having a wattle scritching

Dorking love from Elda

Oh, the sweetie face!

Rosie the Sebright. "Get your filthy hands off of me, human!"

Margaret, showing me her disapproval for her impromptu bath:

And Reuben / Ben, previously mentioned. So back in February, I turned down a Silkie cockerel that Kab offered me, and then had an internal argument with myself over whether I really wanted him or not... Long story short, he came home with me on Saturday.

Sorry for the major picture dump, but I do feel better now.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I'm not talking about permanently crating my birds or anything. If anything, if I hear of it within a county or two of me, I'll keep my birds inside until I see announced any quarantines have passed, as they have been in other states. I don't want my chickens to be miserable, but at the same time I want them to be alive. I don't know, I'd rather see them uncomfortable for a month or two than lose them all.

BUT, they are definitely pets, only pets. USDA compensation would not compensate for the emotional toll that losing these birds would have on me. They are literally the only thing that gets me through some days. I can't lose that. I feel ill just considering the possibility.

Again, just my opinion--And I'm not by any means saying that anyone should do exactly as I will for my birds.

If it was winter my birds would be confined. nd I can see some people having enough space to confine all of their birds. But my flocks are minimized during the fall because I know they will be locked inside. Right now my flocks would be highly infected with cabin fever if I tried to keep them inside. And one coop even has an open half wall for venting.
Its a personal choice but for now I'll be using bio security measures and such but my birds will be in their runs or free ranging unless its storming or dark.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Augh, now I'm thinking about it and getting all weepy over my half-written German essay that's due in the morning.

Mind if I post some happy thoughts and recent pictures of the girls? From the past couple weeks, but I don't think I've posted any of them here.



Poppy the Legbar. No idea.

Sorry for the major picture dump, but I do feel better now.

Poppy's look matches many I've given and many I've seen others give. It is the "grocery store" look. The look any mother of a hyper child has down pat. The look that says if now you have gone and done it. I'm getting my shopping done and you best be still and quiet. Both of which are not really doable for long periods of time for hyper children. Poppy might have a touch of planned payback in her eye too. I'd avoid flip flops around Poppy if I were you.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Its a personal choice but for now I'll be using bio security measures and such but my birds will be in their runs or free ranging unless its storming or dark.

Same here, I was just saying that's my plan for if it gets closer... My personal plan of which no one else is obligated to follow... My girls unfortunately haven't been fully free-ranging since the MG confirmation as I don't want to risk spreading it from here, so I've been keeping them out of the driveway the best I can since the snow melted off. I just got some temporary garden fencing and fenced off a 'free-range' area next to their permanent yard a couple weeks ago. It's been an easy transition for them to go from what has become the norm to a somewhat stricter confinement for their 'free-range' with this AI going around. But, of course, they still think they are abused and neglected.

Poppy the Legbar. No idea.

Poppy's look matches many I've given and many I've seen others give. It is the "grocery store" look. The look any mother of a hyper child has down pat. The look that says if now you have gone and done it. I'm getting my shopping done and you best be still and quiet. Both of which are not really doable for long periods of time for hyper children. Poppy might have a touch of planned payback in her eye too. I'd avoid flip flops around Poppy if I were you.

Oh, goodness, thanks for the laugh! She does kind of have that look going on, doesn't she? Now about that essay...

 

[flyladyrocks]

I read twice this week that there were isolated cases of AI found in sparrows and robins tested but I don't remember where.
Thanks for more beautiful Dorking pics. So many chickens and so little space. See I can almost talk myself into forgetting about Dorkings and then you go and post more pics! So happy you have Kab's roo. He is precious. We considered him but the silkies are dd's and she really wanted to raise them from chicks. So happy he has a loving home that will spoil him!

Yes, the wild birds mentioned in the article that tested positive were waterfowl. However, there was discussion before of robins, sparrows, and the like possibly catching it as well. I personally do not want to take chances with ANY wild birds getting near my girls. I'm probably getting way too paranoid about it, but I don't think I could handle losing my beloved girls. :/

 

[amwchickin]

With the AI being so close to southern Indiana I am nervous! Of course I'm nervous any time I hear a sneeze while the girls are dust bathing!

Chickens are amazing healers in physical problems! I had one pullet either get caught in something or pecked to the point of a big piece of skin on the back of her head scraped mostly off. She looked like her hair piece was out of whack. I ended up cutting the whole piece off because there was no way to re-attach it. She didn't even squack or flip out while I was fixing her up. That was two weeks ago and I can hardly tell she had an injury.
Last weekend my brother's dog was home visiting and he believes a good chicken is a chicken in his mouth. He got a pullet that was on the wrong side of the fence and it had a wing and side puncture wound and some feathers pulled from its rear. I cleaned her up and now she is doing great as well!

So the physical stuff I can deal with since I basically have a small vets office in my garage due to working in an urgent care and sometimes stuff gets "expired."