Protecting Hens from Japan Fallout!

[chickened]

I am currently building a bomb shelter for me and my chickens (chickens not helping though) when I get done I will butcher the expendable chickens (for food) and bring the ones I like inside. The silkies won't come in as they feel partly responsible. And I will soon be selling white suits and masks custom fit for chickens.

 

[Katy]

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Will you have both large fowl and bantam sizes?

 

[chickened]

One size fits all I plan on using heat shrink plastic for the suits.

 

[Katy]

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LOL

 

[Cass]

OP: Thanks for the info on why you are feeding what you are feeding. I am putting that info in my "chicken notebook" for future reference. (I don't have chickens yet...have to wait for the coop to be built first)

I deal with people with anxiety all day, every day. You need to do whatever makes you feel better and more in control of your own life. If it is adding calcium and carrots to your hens diet, go for it. But please reconsider the iodine from pills in your own diet. The side effects can be as bad as radiation poisioning and, right now, it appears there is no danger from radiation in the USA. Owning them (the pills) might relieve some of your anxiety, but taking them right now is premature.

And, if you can find it in your heart, forgive the silliness on this board. They are WONDERFUL people from what I have read. Just like any group they all deal with things differently. Some with humor, some with recitation of facts. But still the most wonderful online group I have even been a part of in the 25 years I have been chatting online.

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

OP, I get where you are coming from. I'm the type that feels better the more I learn about these kinds of situations. I did my own research and feel better. At this point, the information is so conflicting it is hard not to be concerned. The whole thing is really hitting home to west coasters it seems. Knowing that the same scenario could play out here and is a "not if, but when" situation. The coast and towns of Japan look very similar to the Pacific Northwest coast. I think this has served as a wake up call to folks about how fragile infrastructure and disaster response actually is, even in developed and prepared countries like Japan. I know people who are just now thinking of preparedness issues as a result. Evacuation is a real inconvenience and it never hurts to have a plan in place. Sadly, it seems that one true great cost of this fallout is likely to be the marine ecosystems and the rich fisheries east of Japan. And of course, the horrible toll to the island of Japan and the Japanese themselves.

After Chernobyl, measurable radiation effects were noticed as far away as Germany which is about 2000 km from the site. Much closer than we are to Japan and the Chernobyl situation was much worse. Contaminated milk was a real problem around there due to the contaminated grass the cows fed on. The feed you give to your chickens will not be contaminated so the eggs are fine. And I don't think chickens live long enough to have health concerns from it anyway.

At any rate, it never hurts to eat well and take care of yourself and the animals, I would definitely NOT be taking ay extra potassium iodide or other sources of iodine at this point because the radiation levels are still normal. It does stress the thyroid to take 1000x the daily dose. You don't really want to do that unless you have to. I can see folks buying the pills just in case, but now is not the time to take them. I don't have any and I'm not stressed.

Here is a radiation monitoring site of independent station operators for peace of mind.
http://radiationnetwork.com/index.htm

Now, please excuse me while I go finish the tin foil hats I am making for the chickens and cats. I am using heavy duty foil in case anyone was wondering. It is so hard to keep on the silkie's crests.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

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I agree with this (but I would worry if I were living in another state too- that's just the way I am). I have covered my chickens' waterers with tables and tarps so that it won't rain into them. They say the rain is the danger.

 

[classicsredone]

Are any of you familiar with Rancho Seco? It was built near Sacramento years ago, but only operated for a few years. (And only at partial capacity at that.) When tested fairly recently, cows grazing in the area had evidence of exposure to radioactive isotopes. However, there hasn't been a rise in cancers or other disorders in the area. The spent bars are actually still stored there, and you can drive up to view the cooling towers. The lakes used for possible meltdowns are now recreational and available for the public to use.

Totally off topic from Japan, but interesting nonetheless.


IMG_6223 by JJordanPhotography, on Flickr

 

[chickened]

I have seen the towers near Sacremento, we hadone in Oregon but they demolished it a few years ago. I think they are safe. I was reading today that the radiation level recorded in Washington state was the same as a glow in the dark watch.

 

[classicsredone]

Yep, Rancho Seco as it stands is pretty safe. They grow wine grapes all around the property now. I have some photos of the wine grapes with the towers in the background, and it is so surreal.

I believe the radiation level is actually higher in parts of the former McClellan Air Force base. They used to x-ray entire planes, and then would toss old glow-in-the-dark dials out in the fields between runways. Back in those days the paint was mildly radioactive.