***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[lonnyandrinda]

@Kyzmette wanted me to ask @lonnyandrinda if this chick looks a legbar.

No. It could be a Legbar mix, but certainly not a pure legbar with that blue tint on it's back and wings that way.

I am new here to BYC, and had an OK specific question, that I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on.

I am thinking about getting NPIP certified, to me legal to ship eggs, and I was wondering if anyone has went through the process here in OK? Is it really only $5, or are there some hidden charges? Do they just test the birds, and leave you be, or do they pile a bunch of red tape on you, and tell you that your coops and pens have to be a certain way? Does it add any maintenance costs?

It really is only $5.00. The tester comes to you. You should put all your birds in cages for easy access to them. If you have a lot of birds, you don't want to chase each one when the tester arrives. You must follow the rules after your birds are tested. Any new bird you bring into your flock must be tested. If you can't get them tested right away, they must be housed away from your tested flock until they are tested. You need to have your birds tested once a year to keep your NPIP certification.

x2.

 

[NanaKat]

@Ksane you were right, 6 babies!!!!

Too cute!

 

[lonnyandrinda]

It is my understanding, you only have to have new birds tested if you buy from someone that isn't NPIP certified. Is that correct? Also I think you can take a course for $35 to become a certified tester, to get around that problem. My big concern is, with everything government, that they will decide to over reach their authority and tell me how many birds I am allowed, and force a bunch of regulations on how coops are designed or what materials they are made of. Mainly I was just wondering, if anyone had a horror story, of the government coming in and telling them how to do things or or telling them they had to spend a lot of money to meet government code?

It really is that easy. They won't tell you anything to do with your birds- UNLESS they test positive for the NPIP diseases. In Oklahoma they are testing for Pullorum/Typhoid and Avian Flu. Some states test for a few more things. I asked the tester how often they found a positive flock- he said only once in the 8 or 10 years he's done testing for the state has he found a positive flock. A lady in OKC had a large plot and the city had "grown up" around her place, bringing lots of pigeons which were most likely the source of her infection. He had to destroy every bird on the property. Eek. I think as long as you are taking minimal care of your birds- i.e. no dead birds lying around, basic things like that- they could care less what your setup looks like. The tester that came to my place doesn't even own chickens- and he mostly does state work on cattle, etc. so he doesn't even do chickens all that often. They probably do not know anything about your city's code unless they happen to have chickens and live in your city, as far as structure codes or number of birds allowed. That's up to you to learn what the city codes are and to follow it.

I did go take the tester class this spring. It was about 3 hours on a Saturday, you bring two birds to practice testing on. Total of $35, exact amount only. I will order my supplies this winter so I can do my own certification next spring and not wait on a state tester to come around.

Do any of you have a Black Copper Marans rooster you would be willing to sell, I have 7 BC Hens but lost my rooster a few months ago. I live in Peggs, which is north of Tahlequah, anywhere in northeast Oklahoma would be ideal.

I have some young BCM boys from a Georgia Breeder, I got 13 straight run chicks, lost 2, and I have at least 9 roosters...

$15 each I know of at least 2 I'm ready to let go of. They are about 2 1/2 months old. Not sure if you want something that young. Here's the breeder's website. http://www.taylorhobbyfarms.us/breedsoffered.htm Her stock and eggs look really good. I'm in Coweta but can meet in Tulsa sometimes.

 

[Joshw]

Quote: Well thank you for taking the time to answer. I didn't mean to sound like I didn't take care of my birds, I have enough money invested in them, I hope they all live long happy lives. I just know that government can get a little ridiculous at times. Like you said, it is normally people that has never raised an animal telling you how to best take care of them. I think you have gave me enough info to move forward with the idea. That would open up a much bigger market for hatching eggs, and it seems silly that there are people risking shipping eggs illegally for $5 a year, or $40 if you want to become a tester.

 

[Ksane]

@Ksane you were right, 6 babies!!!!

How adorable!! Tell him to kiss them all on their heads and he'll get more girls than boys!
And tell him I really just made that up because i like kissing baby chicks

 

[Ksane]

Oh hey @ashtree-that's considered an excellent hatch rate, by the way. 11 eggs, 8 into lockdown and 6 live chicks? You guys did awesome

 

[ashtree]

Oh hey @ashtree -that's considered an excellent hatch rate, by the way. 11 eggs, 8 into lockdown and 6 live chicks? You guys did awesome

Maybe 7 actually, 1 was shrink wrapped and I assisted him out. I wasn't sure on his fate but he's perking up!

 

[ashtree]

How adorable!! Tell him to kiss them all on their heads and he'll get more girls than boys!
And tell him I really just made that up because i like kissing baby chicks

He thinks they're all his because he kisses them the most. Plus as long as he was awake he made sure he was the first thing they saw. He says they'll think he's mama. I think he'd breastfeed them if he could

 

[Ksane]

He thinks they're all his because he kisses them the most. Plus as long as he was awake he made sure he was the first thing they saw. He says they'll think he's mama. I think he'd breastfeed them if he could 

My husband said Arlo rode that one right to the bitter end as well as he looked out for the temp and humidity and waited on those chicks to hatch lol
I think the 7th will be fine. I'm rather jealous of your hatch rate

 

[ashtree]

My husband said Arlo rode that one right to the bitter end as well as he looked out for the temp and humidity and waited on those chicks to hatch lol
I think the 7th will be fine. I'm rather jealous of your hatch rate

Yep, he was diligent. And its the incubator, I barely did anything! Im sooooo glad I finally get to sleep tonight. Deep sleep!!!!!