Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Folly's place]

I want to have the healthiest birds possible, so testing and buying only from tested flocks makes sense to me. Avoiding diseases is always better than trying to treat after infection! Mary

 

[wannahomestead]

Anyone else want to weigh in on NPIP certification?

Is there any use for NPIP if you are not shipping birds or eggs over the state line (other than knowing your chickens that are testing are clean? There are a couple people in our area that have advertised "Eggs for Sale", usually with a sign in their front lawn, and they have been told they can not even sell eggs locally unless their facilities are inspected. Not sure if the inspection was NPIP-based, health department or something else. Has anyone else heard of this?

Told by whom?

 

[ChicwannaB]

anyone seeking Swedish Flower Hens, I have about 4 young cockerels, 12 weeks old now, up for sale. Some are in this pic. Very pretty bird, no 2 alike. They are $12 each and located in Munger Michigan.

 

[bigmrg74]

The guy I sold my Iowa Blue cockerel to just sent me some pictures of him. He's getting to be a handsome fellow.

 

[iamfivewire]

hes looking nice

 

[trailrider330]

Told by whom?

Like I said, I am not sure. That is what I am trying to figure out. I just got the sense that it was "official" in some capacity. Just wondering if anyone else knows what this is in regards to and if there is any governing body that can control and regulate our right to sell our eggs.

 

[wannahomestead]

Like I said, I am not sure. That is what I am trying to figure out. I just got the sense that it was "official" in some capacity. Just wondering if anyone else knows what this is in regards to and if there is any governing body that can control and regulate our right to sell our eggs.

My understanding is that small scale back yard chicken folk are exempt from inspections because of it being small scale. I don't have enough eggs to sell at this point, but do plan to start selling in the future. Hopefully someone with more experience can confirm/deny my thought, but that was my understanding.

 

[ijon]

Hi Mindilee I believe i bought a Cochin pullet from you a while back. She looks like she is about to lay. Real red comb and starting to sing. Pretty bird.

 

[1muttsfan]

Here is a post from another BYC thread found here -
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...alth-safety-laws-for-selling-small-flock-eggs


<<<Operating Policy for Egg Sales at Farmers' Markets

A workgroup was put together in 2008 to focus attention on regulatory issues facing vendors selling products at farmers markets. That workgroup consists of representatives from Michigan Farm Market Association (MIFMA), Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) and MDA.
At the March 31, 2009 meeting, the regulation of shell eggs sold by producers to the final consumer was discussed. A representative of the Office of Attorney General (AG) was present to hear arguments regarding whether or not MDA has the authority to regulate shell eggs sold by the producer to final consumer or first receiver.
MDA has received an Attorney General opinion dated July 17th regarding Exemption of egg producers from licensing as food establishments. The opinion essentially says that Michigans specific 1963 Egg Law controls over the more general Food Law of 2000. Section 13 of the Egg Law states that All producers shall comply with this act except those selling eggs of their own production direct to consumers or when delivering to a first receiver.
Based upon the opinion, the department will not license or regulate eggs being sold directly by a producer to a consumer or being sold or delivered to a first receiver (First receiver means a person who receives eggs from a producer at any place of business where such eggs are to be candled, graded, sorted and packed or packaged. Consumer means a person purchasing eggs for his own family use or consumption).
FDA /USDA regulations would still apply to eggs, where applicable. Federal egg processing guidelines, created under the federal Shell Egg Surveillance Act, govern the registration and inspection of egg producers who manage large flocks of 3,000 or more hens.>>>

http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125--212367--,00.html


Basically, I can sell from my house or at the farmer's market if I have less than 3,000 hens and am selling directly to the consumer. I can sell without being subject to the MDA food safety or egg laws.
I'm still not sure how the local feed mill can resell eggs unless they're considered a "first receiver" and they're putting the eggs in another carton (repackaging).

 

[snowflake]

Told by whom?

1mutt answered this very well, thank you Mary for having such good info. and sharing
I also would be interested in knowing whom. often people say things and have no idea what they are talking about many think chickens are dirty and smelly, unless they are store bought then of course they must come from a machine that produces only clean germ free eggs

Just curious how many of you are NPIP certified in Michigan? If so, could you share a little bit about your experience? How much time did it take? How much did it cost? Anything that would be helpful for others looking to do the same. Thanks!

Npip is not common in MI. however there are laws about moving your birds across state lines and bringing it into MI. 4hr's, have to be tested but there is usually some one on sight that does the testing and I don't think they charge. although I am not in 4H and could be wrong on that

NPIP testing is a simple thing. poke the bird in wing or leg to draw a drop of blood and adding it on a glass plate over light with the antigen will show whether or not your bird is infected. the draw back for those doing the testing is the cost of the antigen. last I looked into it, it was over $ a hundred $$ I think. you would have to test a lot of birds to make it worth while and if you are not selling live birds across St. lines or going to a poultry show it is not necessary .
you would not need it to sell eggs.