NPIP testing

[Farmerboy16]

Wish MG would be eradicated too, had to cull my entire flock of turkeys, ducks, and geese to that.

 

[robin416]

One other thing NPIP is good for is the resources. I posted about quarantining new birds and to help the woman that emailed me I had her contact my NPIP guy. Who knew who to contact and judge how serious the problem might be. In his judgement a vet needed to be out there ASAP.

It also has me listed in their database so that if this problem turns out to be very serious they will notify me. It saves them going door to door looking for backyard flocks that are in jeopardy from an outbreak.

 

[wilobrookfarms]

Sorry for stupid questions. But I'm learning. To show your birds you need to be NPIP tested? Or only for shipping purposes? I'm wondering if I should have it done now, while my flock is small, as I may want to show next year?

 

[robin416]

Not stupid at all, none of us knew some of these answers when we first started. If we were smart we did investigate what it took to have a happy, healthy flock BEFORE we started the flock.

Most states require NPIP testing to show. Some states are very strict about accompanying documentation for shipping. But most states have different requirements. Your best bet is to call your State Vet and ask them what they require.

In my state AI, avian influenza, testing is not required. I allow them to take samples each time they do the NPIP test.

 

[NellaBean]

Most shows require pullorum testing, which is what NPIP testing covers (usually in addition to other things they test for).

My state tests for Avian Flu and Pullorum. Blood test and throat swab.

Because I show, now that I am NPIP I don't have to test before every show. Before I was NPIP I would have to go to shows with a tester on site so they could be tested first. If there was a show without a tester on site, I could not show.

Technically, crossing state lines and shipping of birds require NPIP (I think). Its just mostly ignored.....I have yet to see anyone get introuble for doing those things when they are not NPIP.

My biggest problem with being NPIP.......the basis of the program is that your birds are tested clean and then you don't add new birds unless they are also from a clean flock. I lost my best show rooster this summer and had to get an old rooster back from a friend.....he was untested as i sold him prior to my NPIP status. So now he is in quarantine here for nearly 60 days....as there is a show mid November with a tester on site......NPIP people said I could quarantine him here away from my own birds and then have him tested clean for both..once he comes back clean I can add him to my own clean flock....in order to keep my NPIP status.

So its a pain in the butt, but worth it for me to show. Had I been unable to quarantine the new bird onsite until time to test I would have dropped my NPIP status to bring him home.

The tester was a nice guy and in my case brought along a helper. I only had 20 birds to test at the time and it went fast. I had everyone in cages beforehand (groups of 2-3 birds per cage) and as we tested them I would let them loose in the yard, so I could easily know who was left. Took longer to write up the paperwork than it did to do the test.

 

[mstricer]

I'm glad I asked the question, others that are not tested or are thinking of it, can see both sides. I appreciate ever ones answer.
Michele

 

[wilobrookfarms]

So having only 12-15 birds to test is not a waste of time? I'm just thinking before hatching etc. I'd like to be tsted and ready to go.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
I don't think its a waste of time. Birds have to be 4 months or older to test. Here in NY, I had about 80 or so adults at the time of testing so they tested 30, some of each breed from different pens. This is my 2nd year in the NPIP program. It's free here in NY. I got it done because once they test it lasts for 1 year. If I got the birds tested at the clinic they have in the summer, it would have only lasted 3 months.

Here are the state NPIP contacts. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/downloads/osa-npip.pdf

 

[AlienChick]

And from a buyer's point of view, they like to see a NPIP certification number.
It gives them the warm fuzzies knowing what they are buying has been "certified."

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
If you plan to sell, yes, it's fine to get your NPIP status, but it also may make the buyer think the flock is "certified healthy". It does not do that. That is the false sense of security I was talking about. Just need to be clear with the buyers what NPIP really is all about. I still may do it one day, but at this point in time, have no plans for it. Of course, if you want to sell to other NPIP buyers, you'd have to be NPIP yourself.