Inspection Help - Experienced Breeders please - need ideas

[U_Stormcrow]

I just had my flock tested. I didn't open my coop door the morning of. I would go in the coop, grab 2 or 3 birds at a time, and after they got tested I'd release them into the run. Repeat until coop is empty!

that HAD been the plan, but they were better at using the door than I was.

 

[Tre3hugger]

that HAD been the plan, but they were better at using the door than I was.

I forgot to mention I had my wife helping out on door duty. She would hold the door closed behind me so I didn't have to latch it, then let me out when I said the word. Not sure if you have a helper you can utilize.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I forgot to mention I had my wife helping out on door duty. She would hold the door closed behind me so I didn't have to latch it, then let me out when I said the word. Not sure if you have a helper you can utilize.

Heh, no. I hadn't even had coffee yet.

My wife, bless her, sleeps in.

 

[saysfaa]

I sorted out and locked into the coop the night before - but my coop door is 4' wide and 6.5' tall, and that's the raised coop. SO as soon as I cracked it open, they tried to rush out, except the ones who hid underneath and forced me to crawl around in the 3' space under the "floor"...

NEVER doing that again. Just thought I had another month.

Do you have extra green netting? Could it make either temporary pens (over a set of shelves laid on its side, or cement blocks, or pairs of chairs, or...) OR a second door inside or outside your 4'x6.5' door (airlock style)?

 

[saysfaa]

What did you end up doing? What went well? ...

 

[SourRoses]

I'm curious @U_Stormcrow ... how did this turn out?
We're thinking of getting NPIP tested in '23 and as you know we're in Florida too.
So glad we have you to learn what not to do from!

Crawling under the coop sounds ten kinds of awful... poo and spiders make that list more than once.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

With a little bit of food, I was able to get them all in, but it was tight for floor space, so a few of them flew over the 4' wall when they were done eating - but couldn't escape the closed barn doors. Partial success.

The big improvements that first time (technically 2nd) were having a folding plastic table on the other side of the barn doors and a trash can. Things went mostly smoothly.

The third time., I set up the table and trash can the same, but led them all into the grow out run (walls 6' high, much more floor sapace. It worksed m,uch better. I plan to repeat that, 4th time around - early October, I think.

and SourRoses, its a bit of streess leading in (what if they test positive?), but its free in FL and real peace of mind afterwards. I recommend, even if its NOT a guarantee of a disease free flock, at least you know you are free of a couple very serious diseases on the day of testing.

 

[SourRoses]

Thank you! That is very reassuring!