Silkie Questions

[destiny_56085]

With the outbreak of Endemic Newcastle Disease and the Salmonella egg recall in IA, the state of MN upped their restrictions to bring birds into the state. We got a phone call from Dale Lauer, a state vet on Monday. Dale Husfeldt, our show secretary, was in a panic and said the show would be shut down if we didn't comply. I immediately got on the phone with Dr. Brian Ziemer (state vet) and had him spell out exactly what has to be done to comply. He said you have to show proof that each bird has been tested for pullorum and band numbers have to match paperwork. In state can be within 90 days and out of state within 30 days. He said you need to have a vet health certificate within 60 days. He also said you did NOT need to get the MN import permit like when people sell eggs to this state. The 9-3 NPIP form and a copy of your Hatchery permit will not suffice because it doesn't track specific bird band numbers.

Remember this form from when when you were a pullorum testor.....that's basically what they want.

It gets even worse for those of us running the show. We have to pay the vet to be there each day (a very unexpected large expense for the club). It is the responsibility of the show officials to be enforcing that the paperwork is in place. The vet will only be there to check compliance, not to hold our hand and help with testing. We are also supposed to clean and disinfect the whole show hall, sales area, etc every day the birds are there. Keeping things neat, aisles swept, etc is one thing. How are we supposed to disinfect 1100 show coops with other peoples birds in them on a daily basis?

Give me a call when you get time Connie. I will be around all day. I have 2 parrots that are begging to go home with you.

 

[PremierSilkies]

I still am a tester for MN and MI, next year WI will be added to the list. My flock is still a MN NPIP farm, I have enough stuff to test Cara's birds when she pulls in and the forms for her. I cannot help her with the health cert though. I will be in MN this weekend and will see what your schedule is like for picking up the real birds, lol
The form below I already have from when the flock had its annual for the NPIP hatchery Cert. So I will bring those along with the NPIP Cert. or do they want us to retest our MN birds for the 90 day window? That is just a crock of poop. Its the darn production plants that f***** up not us exhibition breeders. I'' save my more choice comments for when we talk on the phone or are at the bar, ROFL

 

[Smoky73]

I am so ticked off about all of this. I have to have the health inspection done 10 days before leaving, plus they charge for it. Still trying to figure out what I need. My vet said I need to call MN and get the import forms sent to me, sign them and send them on to her to sign.

Its still a crock of crap seeing I could easily switch a leg band on a bird at any point.

 

[averytds]

Quote:
+1


I said the same thing a couple weeks ago when I did sealed bands for some kids. (The ones they had weren't the right "sealed" bands.) Only deterrent I see is that the applicator is $20.

I like Connie's wingbands better but the state said I'd have to do both the sealed wingbands and legbands.

 

[destiny_56085]

I am in total agreement with both Cara and Connie. Unless you have the vet himself personally test those birds, there is no way to 'prove' anything was even tested. Bands can be easily switched. Paperwork can be filled out and blood never actually drawn on a bird. Even for the in-state people, a 90 day window is enough time to take that bird alot of places and possibly expose it to other diseases in that time. They are making such a big deal over a disease that hasn't even shown up for years either. We know avian influenza struck a few bird populations here in MN last year and there was a huge outbreak of END just this summer. The pullorum testing doesn't cover those at all.....

Unfortunately this is about compliance with their rules. We gotta do what is necessary to pacify them I guess. Sorry to have been the bearer of the news. They shut down Zumbrota in 2008 which was one of the largest swaps in the state. In august of 2009 they shut down Isanti and Stillwater swaps. Now I guess they are after our shows too.....

Connie....ya tease! I only wish I could go to the bar. I have at least another 6 months before I can even touch a beer. I'm at the stage where the morning sickness is finally starting to go away.

I can be the designated driver for y'all though.

 

[PremierSilkies]

Just rubbing it in baby, ROFL
I've never mixed my drinking with the poultry world, I save that for when we pit crew for our stock car driver friend.
Note the END problems were once again the production farms, NOT the hobby farmers/show poultry folk.
If I have to get a vet out for a health cert. I can tell you I will not bother going to New Ulm, and you need to find someone to pick up Eric. I am not into the whole big brother Drat!. Too many other shows I can attend without a hassle.

 

[destiny_56085]

Last years show we were still down there making trophies at about midnight yet on saturday. We had a few beers and I had a bottle of Baileys cracked. Maybe it was the 18 hours in a row that day I had already been down there on my feet or something, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Coliseum was locked and I had to go to the bathroom... My horse trailer seemed like a good option at the time til the wind blew the door shut and locked me in there. I yelled bloody murder for about a half an hour til someone came and rescued me. Maybe its better that I have no access to alcohol at all.

On the health papers and all that crap, the END outbreak wasn't even the commercial farms this time. It was on a lake over by Appleton where a huge population of gulls and cormorants were found dead. A notice was sent out by the MPTL on Aug. 26th telling all of us who have poultry that might come into contact with any wild birds (sparrows, ducks, geese,etc) to take caution.

Connie.... your flock and NPIP certification for 2010 was in MN I believe. That should be all the state of MN should need to know. Send in a pullorum certificate just saying you tested your birds within the last 90 days to pacify them and list a MN address on the registration. I really don't think you want Dale (the show secretary) putting your WI address on the exhibitor list anyways after all the thefts this last year. I sent out the show programs, so Dale doesn't even know your real address. My birds are not at the same location I live either.... If you can't make it, at least give me a week's time to try and line up another ride for Eric.
Thanks,
Amy

 

[ultasol]

Quote:
To find a local swap, check here on BYC under:Index and then Shows and Swaps. Scan through to find one near you. Alternatively, call your local feed stores and ask if there's a swap they know about. Lastly, I'd go to the Bantam Silkie Club website and find my state's representative (they should know about the swaps or direct you to someone who does). Swaps are informal gatherings of chicken breeders who bring whatever stock they want to sell. It's usually a Sat. or Sun. and you can walk around and talk to them about their particular breed. I have found some very good silkies at the swaps and the prices are usually much lower than an online auction. I've learned more at swaps than anything I read in books (which I have consumed a lot of).

From the listing of silkies you have now, I think it might take you a bit of time to breed 'up' to better quality that will compete successfully in shows. Attend a show or swap and then decide how yours compares to what you eventually want. Then decide how you want to proceed.

If the goal is to produce quality, don't go to a swap go to a show or contact a breeder who shows.

 

[featherbaby]

I guess we're fortunate here, we have a couple of good silkie breeders who show (and win) who also come to our swap!

 

[PremierSilkies]

Last years show we were still down there making trophies at about midnight yet on saturday. We had a few beers and I had a bottle of Baileys cracked. Maybe it was the 18 hours in a row that day I had already been down there on my feet or something, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Coliseum was locked and I had to go to the bathroom... My horse trailer seemed like a good option at the time til the wind blew the door shut and locked me in there. I yelled bloody murder for about a half an hour til someone came and rescued me. Maybe its better that I have no access to alcohol at all.

THAT was a good laugh, I do remember saying goodnight to you before Eric and me went to dinner, you never told me Sunday what happened, you stinker, LOL

Hey, I do swaps with cull outs that go for $5-10, off colors, stuck toes, etc And than I have sold stock that did not make the cut because of crest size, poor feathering, or lesser quality body type for $20-30. I only ship breeder & show stock which is a whole different thing. I have lived & learned the hard way it does not pay to ship the lesser quality stock and its not in my best interest to sell eggs or chicks.

I did chat with Cara, I cannot see her making her silkies into pin cushions or paying through the nose for a vet to do a health cert. Thats just not cool. She is trying to talk me into going to the Denver show, but I cannot stand Frank Joseph for a judge. I LOVE the club though and the view of the rockies out the show room floor is divine!