Sdwd

[halo]

I got the Eco 20, too, just for hatching, since it is so unbelieveably easy to clean. It also holds temps and humidity incredibly well. I think its a bit cramped on hatching too, so when 5 or 6 hatch, I open it, remove the chicks and eggs, close up, and let some more hatch, then repeat. I have yet to have less than a 100% hatch in that darn thing, even with opening the top over and over.

Scott....gorgeous birds! That roo does look huge!!! I love my blues to death, but I know they need help in the size department. I can only hope one day to have some as nice as your Columbians are.

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, I don't know what the experts say or believe .... but I will tell you one thing .... it scares me to death! I worry constantly that it is possible. I am to the point where I think I am going to use vaccinations. I just have too many birds to risk loss. When I was in Illinois I was told of the 90% loss of a breeder who got Mareks last year. This, from a long time breeder who had never before used vaccinations. He now uses them.

 

[speckledhen]

Think about it logically, though. If ALL birds have it, then all are carriers and they would never test negative as birds from my own flock have and other folks' flocks I know. I have never seen a snotty nose or runny eyes in my flock in the entire five years I've had birds. It may happen some day since no one can see germs, but to say that ALL birds have the latent disease is asinine! If the govt considers all backyard flocks to have CRD, which I honestly think is a smokescreen for supporting the "healthier"(haha, right) commercial flocks, then why would I even have chickens? I wouldn't!

 

[kathyinmo]

I don't really think the government is saying it though, are they? Isn't it from some vet tech or the likes?

I look at it like this ..... IF it is true that 75 - 90% of flocks test positive at some time or another .... it is likely to increase, rather than decrease. It scares the heck out of me. I even have a phone call in to my local vet to inquire about what possible vaccinations I might need in this area. I don't know, but I want to check it out. I hope to God I never have to experience the devastation of these diseases.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, its a vet sent out by the state (don't recall which state). Yes, the USDA is saying stuff like that. That, to me, is one of the most UNtrustworthy sources we have in gov't.

Kathy, I hope we don't have to go through it. I try everything I can to avoid having to experience that. In fact, I may even completely close my flock to the extent I never buy hatching eggs and just keep breeding from stock I already have. You can do that for many years and since I'm not a breeder, per se, it doesn't bother me that I can't bring in birds from outside sources.

 

[kathyinmo]

Have I ever told you this? I am so paranoid about diseases, that I special order my feed and I pick it up from the truck, so it does not go through the feed store ....... I just see it as part of my bio-security measures. Silly as it may be.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Speaking of bio-security y'all.....where do I get "oxine" from. Kathy, isnt that what you told me to get last year to clean/disinfect everything? Its something like they use in hospitals??

After getting these birds from Canada, I don't want to take ANY chances of losing one

THANKS

Cyn - BTW - weather has cleared here, its coming your way. Windy though

 

[speckledhen]

Kathy, if it gives you peace of mind, it's not silly at all.

Oxine can be bought from amazon.com, believe it or not. Or from First State Vet Supply and others.

 

[speckledhen]

We had a major downpour, again, and it's very windy, but the sun is out.

 

[kathyinmo]

I bought Oxine online at http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/...spx?a=google&gclid=clnevodmrpwcfrhxdaodeh5cka I bought 4 gallons, and had free shipping. Next time I am gonna get Vircon-S. It is suppose to be even better than Oxine.