Please Tell Us... What Would You Do?

[Dora'smom]

Thanks so much for mentioning the name of the hatchery you dealt with. I live in Oregon City area and have seen their ads on Craig's List. It sounded (from the ads) like a reputable, nice little family farm, with lots of birds, and starting with other animals (pigs, I think) as well. I appreciate the warning. Thanks again, and I am so sorry that you have had to go through this. I just put an end to one of my beloved flock last Monday, and you are right. It is not easy. It was actually the hardest thing I've ever had to do, so I hope there is a way around that, for you. Good luck with the recovery from this situation.

 

[nnbreeder]

If ya'll had a store and someone drove through it with a car or truck you would deserve compensation right? This is no different. If it pans out that those birds were the source of the infection you should be able to collect for lost sales over and above the cost of the replacements and all expenses incured getting this under control.

Get a lawyer, one that is schooled in the Ag. laws of your state. Follow their guidence and things should work out. Good luck.

 

[Boring Farm]

Thanks for the sentiment and advice... and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I don't know how to effectively and compassionately kill the flock but burning the birds seems to be the consensus.

I'm going to order about 100 Buff Orpingtons from McMurray Hatchery, the same hatchery I bought the original RIR's from. They were good enough to replace five birds that died in transit. I told them not to and I'll expect a credit the next time. It would be torture for only five chicks to make a 2000 mile trip, don't you think? I'll sell some off to offset the cost after I thouroughly deep clean and sterilize the pen. I have a 12'X36' coop which also houses two Nubian Goats and a small "Tack Room" for supplies and such. Their pen is chain linked and approximately an acre with trees, bushes and a barkdust pit for bathes.

The hardest part is we just went through Hospice for my Mother-in-law and was hoping the new birds would be a distraction for my wife's "egg money"