Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[Candy442]

I'm probably going to need to rehome an Iowa Blue cockerel here soon. Mom's putting her foot down, no roosters. Wasn't like I was that interested in breeding my own just yet. Just wanted something different in the flock. He's out of Fivewire's stock if anybody is interested.

How is he feathering out? If you can post a photo of him, that would be great!

Would you like a pullet? All of the babies from your Iowa hatch are doing great and we only have EE's. But, if you would like another girl Brett and I talked about giving you our smaller Iowa girl (she's about 4 weeks older, but not too much bigger than your Iowa chicks)? She has the willow legs and has more white on her than we would like in our breeding program.

Let us know

 

[Candy442]

Quote: I agree with you, Curt. There is little heard about backyard flocks and makes me wonder what the commercial businesses are up to. We are not doing anything special with our birds at all. They are all very healthy birds. In three years, we have only lost one bird to an illness that was not confirmed diagnosed result by MSU necropsy . However, I would imagine if we had something contagious we would see lots more death in our flock.
Brett and I are sure that our flock is very resistant to disease which is what we are breeding for and other than other peoples dog attacks, we have a very healthy happy flock.

We are very proud to have JB as our main cockerel. He is a beauty and so far siring many more charcoal type babies out of our original girls. We just sent out some hatching eggs to people in North Carolina of cross between him and his aunt smokey hens. I am excited to see what they get!. They know smokey is not the standard, but they love their colors.

 

[Dirt Farmer]

There is little heard about backyard flocks and makes me wonder what the commercial businesses are up to.

In my experience, whether raising fish or chickens, the likelihood of disease outbreak has been directly related to the density of the population. I am sympathetic to the commercial farmers right now. This is their livelihood. The necessity of intensive farming came about because a free market demands cheap meat and eggs. They have substantially succeeded in providing both to the majority of people.
Our experience on the left coast has been different. If I remember correctly of the eight outbreaks found, six were backyard flocks. At least one of them was a mixed flock that shared a pond with wild waterfowl. I think my flock's risk is higher than some due to it's proximity to migration, large and small bodies of water, and trees. I've had two or three disease outbreaks over the last eight or nine years (one leading to complete depopulation). Probably every farm has its own risk exposure.

 

[bigmrg74]

How is he feathering out? If you can post a photo of him, that would be great!

Would you like a pullet? All of the babies from your Iowa hatch are doing great and we only have EE's. But, if you would like another girl Brett and I talked about giving you our smaller Iowa girl (she's about 4 weeks older, but not too much bigger than your Iowa chicks)? She has the willow legs and has more white on her than we would like in our breeding program.

Let us know

I'll have to take a picture of him later today. Hopefully it will stop raining this afternoon and the co-op will be done drilling ammonia into our field. Had to get up and move my tractor away from the field as it was parked in the corner of the yard next to the field. Didn't think it would be a good idea to leave the big girls there today. I would be very interested in doing that swap.

 

[bigmrg74]

the cockerel.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Was just on the USDA's official avian flu update site. According to the USDA from 12/19/14 to 5/5/15 there have been 133 documented cases of avian flu in the continental United States. Of these 133 cases, 11 have been backyard flocks, the remainder have been commercial flocks. Per the news, Iowa has had it's first confirmed backyard infection today or late last night (the news is still undecided at this point) with the disease found in a flock of backyard ducks.

Accordingly, as of 5/5/15 there have been 25,716,673 birds 'eradicated' due to the illness. In Iowa there has been (from what I can find) 1 goose and two hawks that have been found with the disease within our wild bird population, MN has one confirmed wild bird case found in a hawk. I'm not so sure that the wild birds aren't getting the disease from the commercial flocks as opposed to the currently popular governmental approach that the wild birds are giving it to the confinements. We aren't seeing massive wild bird die offs from this disease the way we are seeing in the commercial settings. In a number of layer houses in the northwest portion of Iowa, the confinement houses are 100% closed off to the rest of the world. With all fresh air coming into the facility through extensive (and expensive) air filters designed to remove any particles of disease such as the avian flu. This currently has our poultry specialists completely baffled as to how the disease found its way into these facilities. However, they pump out their 'used air' from the facility without any such filters. I'm not so sure things are as we are being told they are. I believe it's highly possible these diseases are coming from majorly overcrowded, unclean environments filled with genetically inferior animals and then they pump the contaminated air outside for the rest of the creatures to be exposed to. The state extension poultry specialist himself declared that he was miffed at why we aren't seeing massive outbreaks in our backyard flocks which are exposed to a much greater extent to the wild birds that are 'supposed' to be the carriers.

Stuff just isn't adding up.........too much of what I'm hearing from the state and their specialists is currently defying logic. We'll just have to see how this pans out in the upcoming months. I imagine things will get worse with the warm weather coming which creates great breeding ground for disease in overcrowded environments.

 

[WVDan44]

Was just on the USDA's official avian flu update site. According to the USDA from 12/19/14 to 5/5/15 there have been 133 documented cases of avian flu in the continental United States. Of these 133 cases, 11 have been backyard flocks, the remainder have been commercial flocks. Per the news, Iowa has had it's first confirmed backyard infection today or late last night (the news is still undecided at this point) with the disease found in a flock of backyard ducks.

Accordingly, as of 5/5/15 there have been 25,716,673 birds 'eradicated' due to the illness. In Iowa there has been (from what I can find) 1 goose and two hawks that have been found with the disease within our wild bird population, MN has one confirmed wild bird case found in a hawk. I'm not so sure that the wild birds aren't getting the disease from the commercial flocks as opposed to the currently popular governmental approach that the wild birds are giving it to the confinements. We aren't seeing massive wild bird die offs from this disease the way we are seeing in the commercial settings. In a number of layer houses in the northwest portion of Iowa, the confinement houses are 100% closed off to the rest of the world. With all fresh air coming into the facility through extensive (and expensive) air filters designed to remove any particles of disease such as the avian flu. This currently has our poultry specialists completely baffled as to how the disease found its way into these facilities. However, they pump out their 'used air' from the facility without any such filters. I'm not so sure things are as we are being told they are. I believe it's highly possible these diseases are coming from majorly overcrowded, unclean environments filled with genetically inferior animals and then they pump the contaminated air outside for the rest of the creatures to be exposed to. The state extension poultry specialist himself declared that he was miffed at why we aren't seeing massive outbreaks in our backyard flocks which are exposed to a much greater extent to the wild birds that are 'supposed' to be the carriers.

Stuff just isn't adding up.........too much of what I'm hearing from the state and their specialists is currently defying logic. We'll just have to see how this pans out in the upcoming months. I imagine things will get worse with the warm weather coming which creates great breeding ground for disease in overcrowded environments.

Someone posted on our local Farmer's Exchange on facebook that Pennsylvania has banned all poultry shows, meets, etc. until further notice because of AI.

 

[Hurley]

I received notice from Npip that movement to shows in our area is prohibited.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

I haven't heard yet from Iowa, but I think it's safe to assume that we've got a similar ban in place at this time. I wonder if the state will start clamping down on exotic livestock sales where we have a lot of rare breeds being sold at auction. Kalona Sale Barn in Kalona, Iowa has a large sale every two months and I know that there is a large swap twice a year in Waverly, Iowa.

Maybe Eric and Kari and chime in with what they've heard about showing/swap/auctions?

 

[Candy442]

I know the people holding swaps in Indiana are saying no live sales and hatching eggs are to be kept in the vehicles. So far in Michigan, we have not had any restrictions sent out from NPIP. Here is the last NPIP notice we received in MI:

In an effort to keep all of the poultry industry aware of the current findings and status of HPAI, I am sending the recent HPAI update to you. It is crucial that everyone practice the highest of standards in bio-security. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, Inc.

Attached you will find the HPAI report and HPAI map of confirmed AI, Press Release on bio-security and notification.

New cases have just been confirmed in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. More information to come.

Go to http://mipoultry.com/ for more information on bio-security.


Avian Influenza Update 4/16/15

Poultry Sector​

NVSL #

Confirmed by NVSL

State

County

AI Type​

Flock Type

Comment

Pending

MN

Kandiyohi (6)

Pending​

Commercial Turkey

Presumptive Positive

15-012160

Pending

WI

Juneau

H5​

Backyard

Mixed poultry; depopulated 4/16/15

15-012012

16-Apr

WI

Barron

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

126,658 turkeys

15-011923

16-Apr

MN

Roseau

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

26,904 turkeys

15-011833

15-Apr

MN

Otter Tail

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

19,400 28-wk hens

15-011849

15-Apr

MN

Stearns (6)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

52,831 21-wk turkeys

15-011834

15-Apr

MN

Kandiyohi (5)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

151,549 11-wk tom turkeys

15-011762

13-Apr

IA

Buena Vista

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

25,749 turkeys; site quarantined 4/14; depopulation begun 4/15

15-011769

15-Apr

SD5

Roberts

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

66,590 12-wk turkeys; site quaranatined; depopulation to begin 4/16

15-011661

14-Apr

MN22

Meeker (3)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

19,600 15-wk toms; site quarantines 4/13

15-011656

14-Apr

MN

Kandiyohi ( 4)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

30,000 37-wk hens

15-011668

14-Apr

MN

Meeker (2)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

25,000 13-wk, 5 days turkeys

15-011669

14-Apr

MN

Redwood

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

84,772 13-wk hens

15-011666

14-Apr

MN

Swift (2)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

17-wk tom

15-011602

13-Apr

MN

Stearns (5)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

68,511 10-wk toms

15-011603

13-Apr

MN

Swift

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

153,535 turkeys

15-011596

11-Apr

MN

Le Sueur

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

21,500 17-wk turkeys; site quarantined; depopulation expected to be complete 4/13

15-011595

11-Apr

WI

Jefferson

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Chicken/duck

200,000 layers; site quarantined 4/10

15-011593

11-Apr

MN

Kandiyohi (3)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

38,440 breeder replacement turkeys; site quarantined; depopulation expected to be complete 4/13

15-011415

10-Apr

SD

McPherson

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

55,153 turkeys; site quarantined 4/9

15-011419

10-Apr

ND

Dickey

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

40,000 turkeys; site quarantined 4/9; depopulation completed 4/13

15-011417

10-Apr

SD

McCook

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

54,670 turkeys; site quarantined 4/8

15-011202

9-Apr

MN

Watonwan

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

30,000 turkeys

15-011079

9-Apr

MN

Stearns (4)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

44,800 turkeys

15-011089

8-Apr

SD

Kingsbury

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

38.440 tom turkeys, 39,100 laying hens; site quarantined; depopulation complete 4/10; disposal complete 4/12

15-015419

9-Apr

MN

Lyon

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

66,000 15-wk turkeys; site quarantined 4/6

15-015408

9-Apr

MN

Cottonwood

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

48,000 turkeys; site quarantined 4/6

15-010940

7-Apr

MN

Meeker

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

310,000 turkeys on the premises; site quarantined 4/6

15-010915

7-Apr

MN

Kandiyohi (2)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

30,000 18-wk toms; site quarantined 4/06

15-010856

4-Apr

MN

Kandiyohi

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

26,500 breeder replacement; site quarantine 4/4

15-010777

4-Apr

MN

Stearns (3)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

78,000 turkeys. Site quarantine in place 3/30 as part of control of index Stearns premises

15-010448

2-Apr

MT

Judith Basin

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

Chickens; site quarantined 4/1; depopulation complete 4/3

15-010560

2-Apr

MN

Stearns (2)

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

65,000 total birds. Site quarantine in place 3/29 as part of control area of Stearns index premises. Depopulation anticipated 4/4

15-010375

2-Apr

MN

Nobles

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

20, 716 turkeys; site quarantined

15-010371

1-Apr

SD

Beadle

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

53,000 turkeys; depopulation expected to be complete 4/8

15-009892

28-Mar

MN

Stearns

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

45,140 turkeys; site quarantined 3/28; depopulation complete 3/30

15-009845

27-Mar

MN

Lac Qui Parle

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

65,800 turkeys; site quarantined 3/26; depopulation complete 3/29; disposal by composting

15-009264

24-Mar

KS

Crawford

H7N9 LPAI​

Commercial Turkey

54,010 turkeys; site quarantined; depopulation complete 3/28; disposal complete 4/1; control area lifted 4/6

15-008395

13-Mar

KS

Leavenworth

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

40,000 turkeys; depopulation and disposal completed 3/14; control area lifted 4/6

15-007791

11-Mar

AR

Boone

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

40,000 turkey hens; premises quarantined 3/9; depopulation complete 3/11; disposal complete 3/18; disinfection begun 4/14

15-007513

10-Mar

MO

Moniteau

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

23,000 turkeys; premises quarantined; depopulated 3/10; composting begun 3/13; control area lifted 4/3

15-007458

9-Mar

MO

Jasper

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

30,100 toms; depopulation complete 3/10; composting begun 3/13; control area lifted 4/8

15-008199

12-Mar

CA

Merced

H7N3
LPAI​

Commercial Turkey

61,000 19 week old toms; premises quarantined 3/9; appraisal submitted 3/16; foam depopulation completed 4/03

15-007172

4-Mar

MN

Pope

H5N2
HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

44,000 turkeys, quarantined 3/4; Depopulation complete 3/7; compost begun 3/9

15-005256

17-Feb

OR

Deschutes

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

Depopulation complete 2/17; C&D complete 2/18/15; control area released 3/11

15-004912

12-Feb

CA

Kings

H5N8
HPAI​

Commercial chicken/duck

78,112 chickens and 35, 639 ducks; Depopulation complete 2/18; composting begun 2/19; surveillance complete

15-003490

3-Feb

WA

Okanogan

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

Mixed flock; depopulation complete 2/4; C&D underway; surveillance in infected zone has begun

15-003147

29-Jan

WA

Okanogan

H5N2
HPAI​

Game Bird

4600 birds; depopulation complete 2/3; C&D underway

15-002503

23-Jan

CA

Stanislaus

H5N8 HPAI​

Commercial Turkey

143,609 turkeys; depopulation complete

15-001711

16-Jan

ID

Canyon

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

Depopulation complete 1/19; 10km zone surveillance complete 2/3

15-001679

16-Jan

WA

Clallum

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

Depopulation complete 1/19

15-000828

9-Jan

WA

Benton

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

Depopulation complete 1/6

15-000061

3-Jan

WA

Benton

H5N2
HPAI​

Backyard

C&D complete 1/7

14-041613

19-Dec

OR

Douglas

H5N8
HPAI​

Backyard

C&D complete 12/23

Captive Wildlife



​

15-009166

27-Mar

MO

St. Louis

H5N2
HPAI​

15-009166

27-Mar

MT

Flathead

H5N2
HPAI​

C&D completed 4/3/15

15-003015

29-Jan

ID

Kootenai

H5N8
HPAI​

15-001362

16-Jan

ID

Canyon

H5N2
HPAI​

C&D completed

14-041088

14-Dec

WA

Whatcom

H5N8
HPAI​

Wild Bird Sector





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WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, UT, WY, KS, MO, NM


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