Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Most states require that birds be from NPIP flocks or to have a veterinary health certificate to enter the state. If you are shipping birds, you need to know the requirements for any location to which you are shipping. Pullorum is NOT obselete. It is not the HUGE threat it once was, but it does still exist, and it periodically found.

In some states, pullorum testing or NPIP is required for showing; for the most part, these are midwest and eastern states. Conversely, most western states do not require NPIP or testing for exhibition, but once again, there are exceptions.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Does NPIP pertain to shipping hatching eggs in anyway?

Yes. Read the rules for state to which you want to ship. What is required varies. Many of the comments on NPIP, testing, health certificates, showing, shipping etc, iimply that the same rules are everywhere; they are not.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Does NPIP pertain to shipping hatching eggs in anyway?

As a national thing they want you to be a part of the NPIP program, or have a tested clean flock - some states are not part of NPIP program, some states only require AI or pullorum free flocks "clean flocks"... but for the most part eggs are not truly regulated, only a few states are really tough on upholding the regulations for live birds and eggs. Every state is different, I've looked up the state regulations for live birds and hatching eggs and the differences in those laws state to state is pretty crazy.
Theres a couple states pretty much have no regulations, and some have very strict ones, but again there are plenty of people out there who don't even pay attention to the regulations, aren't tested, etc and sell eggs and birds and ship all the time. I shipped eggs for a long time before I joined the NPIP program this year...

If you are a participant of the NPIP program your supposed to only purchase birds or eggs from another NPIP certified flock...but its up to the individuals. I am NPIP for many reasons mainly being its opened up the window for more people I can sell to, and it makes it easier for me to show where I am located because of the show/testing rules for NC and my neighboring states.

 

[chisNchickens]

Actually Hawkeye is right your SUPPOSED to be NPIP or the birds being shipped are supposed to be tested and certified clean of AI, pollurum, and typhoid and have attached paperwork to live bird shipments....however many people do NOT do this, and the PO doesn't check nor care so you can get away with it. However if they do come across someone who knows the laws they can hold the bird shipment and contact the US department of agriculture.

Also it is not a fad, it is easier for someone who is NPIP to go to shows, not all states do NPIP, some states have instate testers or you can get certified and test your own birds, some states the only way to be a typhoid/pullorum certified clean is to have the state do it, here in NC that is the case, unless you only go to instate shows and go to a show early and before hand and get birds tested onsite by the STATE testers, which are banded and recorded with the state.
Out of state shows like Virginia I would have to have my birds typhoid/pullorum tested within a month before the show and AI within 2 weeks I believe before entering into the state and going to the show, otherwise you can not show the bird. Its just the way it is.
If you don't show and aren't a breeder who ships regularly then there is no reason to get NPIP certified. if your in a state that has private testers or you can become a certified tester and test your own birds, then I would definitely do that!

My point was that it is a fact that one does not have to be NPIP to ship, show, or sell. And it certainly is a "fad" in that folks want to jump on board just because someone else said it is the "right thing to do", despite being completely ignorant of all that is involved. I think it should be applied only to huge hatching facilities,etc and NOT small hobbyists with a few birds. As was intended, I believe.

 

[chisNchickens]

Most states require that birds be from NPIP flocks or to have a veterinary health certificate to enter the state. If you are shipping birds, you need to know the requirements for any location to which you are shipping. Pullorum is NOT obselete. It is not the HUGE threat it once was, but it does still exist, and it periodically found.

In some states, pullorum testing or NPIP is required for showing; for the most part, these are midwest and eastern states. Conversely, most western states do not require NPIP or testing for exhibition, but once again, there are exceptions.

So I should have said - ALL but obsolete. Seriously?

 

[ChicksNherps]

What's bad about being NPIP certified? I just got my certification so I can show my birds. It was required

 

[Adoravachick]

Umm....I have a question : I have a Partridge Silkie with four toes. What's his genetics? I don't know who his parents are.

It would be very hard to say. It is possible for a pair with the correct number of toes to throw a chick with 4 toes. It's just one of those things.

 

[Adoravachick]

Wow, I missed alot since last night. I got my NPIP certification today and I am quite happy about it. It was not as complicated as I thought it would be and there was no cost. It did require some time to actually band and test each bird (15 were tested), but overall, very interesting. I think it actually took me longer to move my birds from the coop to the barn and get them comfortable. They weren't too upset by the whole thing, as they still layed their eggs. The tester was very nice and very knowledgable. It was a great day, and we are even more excited because we are ready to show on Sunday.

On my way to treat our show birds to a little spa treatment. I am also glad to report that the "chubby" bird has slimmed down. She should be right on target.

 

[chisNchickens]

What's bad about being NPIP certified? I just got my certification so I can show my birds. It was required

The point that I was trying to make is that NPIP was created for big business, and I feel it should not apply to small hobbyists. That is MY opinion.
It is my understanding that many transportable diseases are not tested for, and you can certainly pick up illnesses from NPIP birds. On the other hand,
bringing birds to the show to be tested defeats the purpose as simply bringing them can spread illness. I personally do not want to participate in the program, but
may have to in order to show my birds (although I could still spread illness despite being NPIP). See?

 

[chisNchickens]

The definition of globular is globe-shaped, the definition of globe is spherical.

That said, many of the listed "instant DQs" are not. Incorrect weight is a DQ only if SIGNIFICANTLY (20%) different than the standard. Incorrect eye colour is not a DQ, it is a defect. Non-standard colouring is not a DQ; how a judge will handle a bird that is wheaten and is listed as buff, or salmon and listed as partridge or similar varies from judge to judge and show to show. I have seen judges correct the coop tag and judge the bird as what it IS, and I have also seen them judge the bird as what the tag is marked as. With the former, birds tend to fare far better than with the later, which will often lead to a DQ. I rarely see birds' variety actually listed as "AOV" except with American Serama; most people simply list that variety that they believe the bird to be.

Now there are certain colour issues of recognized varieties that ARE a DQ (red, gold or silver leakage in a self-coloured bird (blue, black, self-blue, solid white feathers in a buff bird, red leakage on a grey, etc.)

If you really want to know what silkies should look like, purchase the standard.

Agreed. The bonnet shape is STILL globular - or spherical. It is certainly not square or rectangular. I have seen some that are too lobed - I prefer the slight bonnet shape or round. Lobes that are too distinct are distracting IMO. The standard can be found on the ASBC website, btw.