Small flocks vs. industry: Are we a threat?

[inezbouley]

I was recently at a veterinary converence in Destin (GVMA) and, as a veterinary technician, I like to learn more so I signed up to go. I found that they had a 2 day poultry discussion that I wanted to attend, mainly to find out more information about disease, etc.

I have to admit, most of the discussion was WAY over my head and "advanced" as one of the vets kindly informed me. He had asked me why I was there out of politeness, and I informed him that I had a small flock of 15 birds at the home. He chuckled a little and said "Actually, you are a bio threat to our birds".

This is understandable. Coming from an area of irresponsible pet owners who will consistantly spread disease and parasites, I almost felt that my roles had reversed!

I politely said to him that I had hoped to come to learn more about the diseases the afflict these birds so that I was more informed. He smiled and then offered that I called the state department so I could test my birds for these contagious diseases: Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS). He said that if my birds were contagious, I could keep the flock isolated (which I do a good job of anyway with biosecurity etc.), and also that they were probably going to be fine if they haven't suffered from the disease yet.

I haven't called yet, and I am unsure exactly "who" to call in the state department. I don't even know if there is a charge... I will try to update when I get more information.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Is there a vaccine and deworming schedule that I should follow in my area (Panhandle of Florida) and if so, where can I get this information?

I want to be a responsible chicken owner and so far, I feel I've done an adequate job: I provide good a clean environment, fresh water and food daily, enrichment, shelter, isolation from other chickens, wash hands before and after messing with birds, and use only one pair of "yard shoes" to visit my flock. I don't allow others to visit that have chickens unless again, they practice good hygiene too.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Ridgerunner]

You asked for my thoughts, so I'll provide them.

It's a shame that a little knowledge makes some people thing they can be arrogant and condescending. A little honest friendliness can win friends, educate, and gain cooperation.

The person to contact is probably your county extension agent. They should be listed in the phone book under county government or you can find them online. I seriously doubt you need to test your flock for all those diseases but the extension agent should connect you to some knowledgeable person who can rationally discuss this with you.

We are sort of a biothreat to the big operations, but I'd think we are more of an irritant than a real threat in their eyes. We don't have visitors bathe in and bathe out, changing shoes and clothes while visiting. We don't disinfect the tires of vehicles entering our coop area. We don't innoculate against Marek's on day 18 while the chick is still in the shell. Our flocks can be carriers of diseases that they have become immune to but could be a Typhoid Mary to the commercial chicken houses that may have 50,000 chickens in them. Their biosecurity measures probably do a great job of protecting them against us. You may follow good biosecurity practices, but in their eyes, they lump us all together with the worst. And when I say "they", I mean the type of person you spoke to, not all in the commercial industry. As in everything, people are different. It's a shame you met who you did.

There is one way we are a big threat to them without our flocks threatening theirs. About two years ago, Avian Flu was found in a flock here in Northwest Arkansas. Recently, it was found in a flock in Kentucky. Before panic ensues, this was not the strain of Avian Flu that is going to wipe out the world's population.

A couple of things happen when Avian Flu is discovered in a flock, whether ours or in a big commecial operation. First, that flock is destroyed. Then, every flock within a certain radius has to be tested for Avian Flu. I think it is 10 kilometers by international protocol but Arkansas used 10 miles. I don't know what Kentucky used. Every flock has to be tested, whether backyard or commercial. If more Avian Flu is discovered, the radius is redrawn and the testing area expands.

I'll use the Kentucky outbreak to describe what else happens. When that outbreak was announced, Russia and one other country, I don't remember which, immediately banned the import of poultry products from Kentucky until the testing mentioned above was completed and certain protocols were completed. They could just as easily have banned all poultry products from the US. As it was, shipments had to be stopped or rerouted. Supply lines were disrupted. It was a big deal. Our country's balance of trades does not need this type of thing to hurt it. The US exports many millions of dollars worth of poultry products every year. Russia is a big customer for poultry products. Other countries could follow suit with the ban. Of course Russia was just playing politics with that ban, but that's an entirely different topic. The point is that one of our backyard flocks could effect the export of poultry products and cost the big boys a lot of money so they are aware of us but I think they realize they can't do anything to stop us.

How's that for an opinion.

 

[New adventure]

Very well put, Ridgerunner!

 

[speckledhen]

The commercial farms are run in such a way that they will be responsible for eventually destroying themselves from their monoculture, cramming birds in close quarters, having birds who are not strong genetically, etc. Sure, one little thing could wipe them out, mainly because their flock is weak in the way it's managed, IMO. My flock is no threat to the producer who lives a few miles from me. Maybe some wild bird who may fly through their big warehouse door is a threat, but my healthy birds who stay on my own property and have individual attention are no threat. I honestly believe that their birds are more of a threat to mine than vice versa, by disease entering their flock and then the gov't coming to destroy mine. But, the disease itself will not come from mine, but from elsewhere. You know when big agri-biz conflicts with your backyard flock, you lose. That is the entire purpose of NAIS, $$$$.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I just looked up the two mycoplasma diseases which cause respiratory disaese in chickens.......guess what, confined birds are far more likey to spread it as it does not transmit by air. It can be carried by eggs, so infected chickens hatch infected eggs. But in a small home flock symtoms are far more likely to be noticed. These diseases are also killed by sunlight, and have a very short life away from the bird.

I agree with SpeckledHen, industry birds are more of a threat to our birds than we are to them. For a comparison, disease mutates and spreads more quickly in crowded cities than in rural areas. Commercial poultry houses are huge cities. Monoculture is seldom a good long term solution for anything. Disease spreads too quickly. Additionally, the home flock is more cleanly than a confined flock with its concentrated manure, fans blowing waste around and caged birds literally on top of each other.

 

[Danigirl3]

Guess he never read the book "How to win friends and influence people."

Its too bad becasue it sounds like it would have been the perfect oppurtunity for him to share his knowledge because isn't that one of the reason to go through all that schooling to teach people how to be more responsible owners?

 

[logansmommy7]

As a beginner, I have a question...do we have to tell our local extension agent that we have chickens for disease assessment if needed? I have told no one that I have chickens in my field. Just wondering...

Great conversation by the way...very interesting stuff!

 

[K-Chick]

I have a friend in the extention office and you don't have to report anything here in Indiana until you have 17,000 birds.

 

[Portia]

I agree with SpeckledHen in that threats to factory poultry farms are compounded by their methods of flock management. Given a more natural environment, infection and disease would not pose such a problem and become rampant in such confined quarters. Backyard flocks tend to ward off more of these threats because they are able to build immunity and generally live in environs more conducive to genetic diversity and healthful living.
I'd be concerned too, if my birds existed in a closed environment where a simple airborne disease could circulate and wipe out my entire flock.

 

[lildinkem]

If your birds are fed clean water and food and are healthy, their most likely not carriers of lethal diseases. Thus, all the testing your talking about is rediculous.

Our flocks can be carriers of diseases that they have become immune to but could be a Typhoid Mary to the commercial chicken houses that may have 50,000 chickens in

These commercial breeders are the ones who have to worry. Not from us, but from their own bad breeding practices. IF we left it up to them for each and every variety of chicken to survive, we wind up with three of four varieties of chicken. None even close to the standard. None that can live long enough to be a good pet.
The chicken survived in the wild for centuries without living in a sterile environment, and given shots. All of a sudden we have to wear booties and bathe more then once a day. I am not built for that. I have a friend who was raised in a poultry family. Their family had chickens for over hundred years. She said back in the old days, when you had a sick chicken it was common to put that sick chicken in the brooder room to expose the young chicks to build their immunites. This was done before there were shots, and some how, a hundred years later we still have chickens. Amazing!!! Maybe it is just luck.....​