***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[NanaKat]

Hope everyone is nice and warm with all this cold wind around!

Temps in the barn/henhouse/brooder room have been consistent with three infra-red light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. All the waterers have stayed unfrozen except the geese and theirs just had icicles where they splashed their water over the edge of the bucket.
One of the broodies had her first chick hatch last night...the egg was dated 12/7 so they are popping out early.

My daughter lost her Grandpa Christmas day. I'll go take care of the little boys so she and her hubby can go to Tulsa overnight for the funeral.

 

[BetsyOK]

My experience with NPIP testers from the Dept. of Agriculture has always been good. I have a pretty good sized flock, and the last several years, he's also tested for Avian Influenza, and under that program, there is no cost to me for the testing. I always help him with my birds, and he does find it a bit hard to find their veins in that black skin. Each bird tested will range from a simple prick and easy blood flow to difficult veins requiring several pricks, to some where it really spurts. However, it stops pretty quickly, and the birds are fine. They seem to immediately forget what has happened and aren't fearful of me afterwards.

Because I have so many birds, I set up some sort of small, portable table--generally a wooden tv tray table--that we move from pen to pen. He brings all his own equipment, including a small container and bottled water to wash the tool he uses to prick them (can't think of the name of it right now). He'll draw a small bead of blood from each and drop them one at a time in one square of the gridded board, where he has put a drop of antigen. It takes only a few seconds to mix it and wait for the results on each. If he also swabs them for AI, that is done with a long Q-tip down into their throats and is sent off. Since this is your first time, he should test each bird. After five years, they test half the flock; after 10 it is down to one quarter. At some later point, it is down to a small random sampling.

After everyone is finished, we go into the house to complete the paperwork. If you have a small flock, there might be a small fee per bird; otherwise it is only $5 for them to issue the paperwork. You'll get a certificate in the mail after a week or two; maybe a little more. If he tests for AI, you'll get a letter telling you of the results.

Hope this is helpful and not more information than you wanted. You'll have peace of mind after the testing is done.

 

[BetsyOK]

Nana, sorry to hear of the loss. It is especially hard this time of year. Will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[Sooner]

I just called Dept. of Ag to schedule my NPIP testing. Waiting on an inspector to call me back. For those of you that have had this done, what should I expect?

Betsy gave a very good post. The only thing I can add is that you will be the one that has to catch each bird so planning before hand is a must.

It sure was nice reading all the posts. Barnswallow, it was nice to read your post. Glad you are doing well & God is looking out for you. Okracefan, I hope you continue to get things back to normal. I am sure the last year has been hard on you.

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[spunkychickenmomma]

Thank you Betsy for all the info! Now I can be prepared before the inspector gets here so his job will be a little easier.

 

[Elwood Lightfoot]

Looks like the chickens are getting to play in more snow here today, it's already about a half inch that's
four times what we got for the huge snow event that was forecast LOL Hope everyone is having a
good week

 

[spunkychickenmomma]

Got my cookie tin water heaters made and out under the chickens and quail water. Hoping to not have to break ice tonight.

 

[cathiesue]

The coffee warmer/candle warmer for the small waterer worked last night. Since the warmer is for glass or ceramic i used the smallest metal waterer with a plastic jar. It was cool but not frozen this morning. It is in a doghouse with Mama May who should be hatching today or tomorrow. We are getting a little snow here at work in north Tulsa but it's melting right away. csa

 

[Carebearsmiles]

Hello from Tahlequah. We finally got some snow. So this is the bird's first snow. And these is a collage of their reaction... Which wasn't much. In fact they were upset that I was putting them up.



Or should I say that the boyfriend was putting them up. He ended up with the hard job while I took photos.




We are still getting snow and the ground is covered.
Do you all put your flock up with it's snowing??

Oh! And what type of Chicken do you all think I have?

One last question... Are you all getting snow??

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

She looks like she might be a black austrolpe pullet.
No snow here! Her being in Tennessee!lol Just rain,I would much rather have rain. All my family in the eastern part of the state(Okla.) are posting snow pics on facebook!