Some information to any peeps out there 'new to chickens' and a friendly reminder to all of those who have been doing this forever... Please read.
Becoming a CPT, Certified Poultry Technician, is an awesome way to learn MANY new things about caring for & keeping chickens.
You will learn the extreme importance of Bio-security, you will never look at things the same way again I promise you!
The diseases/illnesses that can afflict poultry of any type.
This knowledge is not just for chicken keeping, it includes turkey, ducks, geese..all poultry that is available here in PA.
If you take the course, it comes in two stages.
Theory: The overall care of poultry , animal husbandry for backyard & commercial.
Practical: field testing, actual hands on practice of swabbing & blood collection from certain poultry species.
The fee for this course is only $10.00.
If you complete both parts you will be licenced & able to collect poultry samples for private farms, backyard hobbyist, breeders.
People who like to exhibit their poultry in shows have to be tested before they can compete. You do/can receive compensation for doing this.
Some people do this as extra income...just saying. Some others do not choose to charge for their services.
**I am not selling this for anyone, just trying to get more information out there as to the importance of responsible animal husbandry.
The more we know & understand, the more likely we are to be more "present" in our actions.
These issues just do not effect those who are immediate, these issues can spread like wildfire effecting us all.
I am bringing this to everyone because I am a CPT, along with many others here on this thread and on "Backyard Chickens" as a whole.
I went to a course, 7-8 years ago, because someone on here brought it to our attention that it was available & only $10.00, so what did we have to lose?!
I took the Theory course with a couple peeps from this thread.
I did not have the chance to field test right away, but had some time before the "course-completion" ran-out. Can't remember off-the-top if it was 6 months or a year to complete, but you have time.
Was finally able to complete field testing at my own home, on my own birds. I had to call the state veterinarian to come and watch me fulfill the requirements. She was great & helpful throughout the testing.
She answered all of our questions & concerns.
Believe me peeps, if I can handle this, YOU can too! Nothing to be scared about.
Every year I renew license through the state.$10.00, it keeps me in the "know" as to what is happening in this state & all over the country in agriculture/poultry.
We receive emails/updates through the state, Nanette Hanshaw, wonderful people.
If we ever have any questions/concerns, we just call/email them and it is answered.
I do not participate in testing for shows and such. I do not have the physical capacity to do this, but I do have the knowledge for my own flock and those around me. If there is ever an issue. It would be handled properly.
The website for more information about the course & where/dates they hold them.
www.agriculture.pa.gov/Animals/AHDServices/licenses-certificates/Certified%20Poultry%20Technician%20License/Pages/default.aspx
***Just this-morning we got an email stating:
Please see below for an update on the Newcastle Disease situation out west. Several commercial layer and pullet flocks have been euthanized in addition to the many backyard flocks. It has also been identified in Mexico but we don’t know if that’s because birds were moved.
To help protect our PA poultry, PDA has a quarantine order soon to be published in the PA Bulletin- I’ll share the document once it’s final.
ALSO:
In other news, another case of LPAI has just been reported in turkeys in Minnesota. There is little information on the internet but they may be being held for controlled marketing, as the other flocks were.
Site: Chippewa County 1 detected on January 25, 2019
Situation: Serologic evidence of H5N2 low pathogenic avian influenza detected in a commercial turkey flock of multi-age toms. A virus has not been isolated on this farm.
There was a lot more information in the email on what the terms for quarantine order are.
I will be more than happy to share this information if you would like.
I apologize greatly for the length of this post. Please forgive me, I do this for the benefit of all.
Sincerely,
Danielle
hahaha, they have everything else!
.....hahaha, wait till your done "kidding"
before you count..okay, that is very funny to me, but I am a little bit "different" sooooo....
did ...I...say something? did I miss something? is this something left for a private conversation? 
It doesn't "look" hard making cheese, but then that can b said for a great many things as far as just looking.
,
. Oh, and using a very small needle, yeppers, that helps.
anyway...
...
factor to a minimum. It has help greatly. They still dig down under and make holes, but over all it is great. As it breaks down it helps keep the dirt from being completely dead & compacted.. There are actually worms under it. The girls enjoy digging around and finding them.
