NPIP testing today...lots of blood. I'm glad I don't show my whites!

[Illia]

Wow, I hope they don't slice them in WA state.

 

[pips&peeps]

Only one drop of blood is needed to do the plate agglutination test. What was done to your birds was awful, there is no reason for them to slice your birds open and I would complain to the State about that tester.

The best place to get the blood is in the "elbow" area of the wing where there are two veins that cross. Any person with very little experince should be able to get blood on any bird with a syringe.

I can't believe what they did to your birds and it will also allow more risk for infection. If the State doesn't do anything, find a different tester for next year.

Yowza! I would have passed out if they started slicing the birds.

I would have taken the thing away from them and asked if they would like me to shove it somewhere for their immediate ride home................​

 

[PamB]

I don't know....maybe I'm explaining it wrong or maybe I shouldn't have used the word, "slice." They take an exacto knife, lift the wing, and cut under it. Then they put a tube like thing up to it and drop some blood into it. They put powder on them after, but that doesn't seem to do a whole lot.

 

[ksf59]

When I was trained and everyone I have seen does it they use the stlyet with loop and the needle that is on the other side. Or use a 18 gauge needle to poke that vein. We bled 50 or so white chicknes in training and only had 1 bleeder. Turkeys are more prone to bleeding and they pull a vial of blood for some testing. They are messier. Just my opinion

 

[Germaine_11.20]

My tester was out here too and she was trying to bleed them through the elbow also. What a nightmare. Some just would not bleed so she stuck them over and then the other wing.

That's why I chose the comb. Just think of when two cocks fight, their combs bleed like crazy. One little prick was all it took and they barely flinched.

I let the tester know how I did it and she was fine with that so I will do it the same way next year. Hands free pretty much.

 

[EweSheep]

I think the comb would be much much easier if you are not going to a show in the next few days, otherwise you would need to do it in a place that would not show the cut. Smart choice, Rusty!

 

[big medicine]

My tester pokes them under the wing while I hold them, gathers the drop in a little wire hoop, not a lot of fuss or blood. A few years back when the girls got their 4-H birds tested for fair, they would cut a nail a little short for the blood.

 

[robin416]

Quote:
Exactly. I have never seen an exacto knife used. Pam, you are not being a wuss about this. Using a knife like that makes a much larger puncture than is needed and creates more of chance to see all the blood that you did. To say I don't like the set up your state has would be an understatement on my part.

I hold my birds, he pokes them, gathers the drop of blood in the loop and I hold where he punctured. 99% of the time the bleeding has stopped by the time he has the results for the bird. If not, then I hold pressure a bit longer. FYI, because I'm holding my birds they are more compliant since they know who I am.

 

[tgrlily]

Quote:
Exactly. I have never seen an exacto knife used. Pam, you are not being a wuss about this. Using a knife like that makes a much larger puncture than is needed and creates more of chance to see all the blood that you did. To say I don't like the set up your state has would be an understatement on my part.

I hold my birds, he pokes them, gathers the drop of blood in the loop and I hold where he punctured. 99% of the time the bleeding has stopped by the time he has the results for the bird. If not, then I hold pressure a bit longer. FYI, because I'm holding my birds they are more compliant since they know who I am.

Our tester used a needle & the loop to collect the blood. I did the same thing -- hold the bird & apply direct pressure till the blood stopped.

I would call the state Dept of Agriculture! That is just WRONG! I would have that tech's license. Shame on them!!!! If you hold the bird like a baby & extend the wing, it is beyond easy to get a DROP of blood. Anymore than that is overkill.

If you're planning on showing, silkies in particular show better if shampooed and blown dry. Be careful if you do use peroxide that it doesn't discolor your birds.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

My tester just pricks under the wing and drawls one drop of blood in a little wire hoop!