Surviving Minnesota!

[duluthralphie]

Good News Ralphie!

Judy said she did not doubt it, she thinks I spend more time with my chickens than I do her.

She is right though someday I spend 8-10 hours with them, Cuddles and Ed are my best friends...

I had a guy want to see into the pole barn today, he was buying chicks. When I get someone that really insists on seeing inside I make them wear booties or put on an old pair of my boots then I do not let them touch anything. I had a guy like that here today. He was 6 inches taller than me and twice as wide but he managed to get into my boots.

He had the reaction everyone has to Bert " What is that?" I so love Bert being out there to surprise people. He wanted to know what a Partridge Chanticler was, but when I pointed Ed out to him he was not impressed..... That was disappointing I find Ed, even if he has an extremely low libido, is still great.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Just some pics of the new "Foxy"

Foxy is looking very content there with you

 

[lvie]

Just some pics of the new "Foxy"

Ahhhhh Holm - she looks like she is home! LOL. What a look on that mug!

 

[Cebarmlds]

I got my test results today. I am now have an AI clean flock. I was starting to worry the results took so long to get here.

Is that test required yearly to keep the NPIP ?

 

[duluthralphie]

Is that test required yearly to keep the NPIP ?

No, it is voluntary, however many states will not allow eggs to be shipped into the state unless you are certified AI clean. I have had a lot of people wanting eggs in Maryland, Virginia , west Virginia and so forth and they all required it.


The state vet talked me out of the tests at first, because the agreement I had to sign gives the state and USDA the right to destroy all your birds if they find certain strains of AI.

There is a reimbursement clause in the contract also. I have to test a sample of the birds every 90 days now. BUT All turkeys have to be checked every 90 days anyways.

 

[Cebarmlds]

No, it is voluntary, however many states will not allow eggs to be shipped into the state unless you are certified AI clean. I have had a lot of people wanting eggs in Maryland, Virginia , west Virginia and so forth and they all required it.


The state vet talked me out of the tests at first, because the agreement I had to sign gives the state and USDA the right to destroy all your birds if they find certain strains of AI.

There is a reimbursement clause in the contract also. I have to test a sample of the birds every 90 days now. BUT All turkeys have to be checked every 90 days anyways.

Hmmm interesting.

Wonder if they retest before destroying someones flock if a test comes back positive. False positives do happen.

 

[duluthralphie]

Hmmm interesting.

Wonder if they retest before destroying someones flock if a test comes back positive. False positives do happen.

It does not say in the literature (junk) they sent with the contract, however, I know with PT tests they quarantine and retest. I would assume they do the same thing with this. I know with MG they test twice, The first test is more of a screening test and the second is a more precise test that the first one.

 

[I Love Layers]

Judy said she did not doubt it, she thinks I spend more time with my chickens than I do her.

She is right though someday I spend 8-10 hours with them, Cuddles and Ed are my best friends...

I had a guy want to see into the pole barn today, he was buying chicks.    When I get someone that really insists on seeing inside I make them wear booties or put on an old pair of my boots then I do not let them touch anything.  I had a guy like that here today. He was 6 inches taller than me and twice as wide but he managed to get into my boots.

He had the reaction everyone has to Bert "  What is that?"      I so love Bert being out there to surprise people.   He wanted to know  what a Partridge Chanticler was, but when I pointed Ed out to him he was not impressed..... That was disappointing I find Ed, even if he has an extremely low libido,  is still great.

How can someone not me impressed by a PC! I loved mine! Congrats on getting AI clean!

My blue pullet laid her first egg today! I would love to start hatching now but i will wait a little while.
I also got my new track spikes today, they're pretty cool looking and came with coop colored spikes! Specialties start on Monday and i cannot wait!!

 

[MNChickMom]

Judy said she did not doubt it, she thinks I spend more time with my chickens than I do her.

She is right though someday I spend 8-10 hours with them, Cuddles and Ed are my best friends...

I had a guy want to see into the pole barn today, he was buying chicks.    When I get someone that really insists on seeing inside I make them wear booties or put on an old pair of my boots then I do not let them touch anything.  I had a guy like that here today. He was 6 inches taller than me and twice as wide but he managed to get into my boots.

He had the reaction everyone has to Bert "  What is that?"      I so love Bert being out there to surprise people.   He wanted to know  what a Partridge Chanticler was, but when I pointed Ed out to him he was not impressed..... That was disappointing I find Ed, even if he has an extremely low libido,  is still great.

Not impressed with pc.....should've tripled his price

 

[Cluckies]

Cluckies- I had a short lived feather picking problem. I fed additional dry cat food to up the protein for a short period. Now they get it as a treat once a week.

Thanks, I'll try that. The one started picking as soon as she started laying. She must have enough proitein when not laying, then not enough when laying.

Just some pics of the new "Foxy"

For a puppy that didn't like people at all 2 weeks ago, she has settled in nicely. That is just wonderful to see!

Hey Cluckies - I have / had feather pickers. I looked and looked for a reason. Seems that if they are bored or too many in a space they will pick. BUT! I also found out that if they are pecking and eating the feathers it is for protein. I gave them 22% for a short time and all feather picking stopped. That was late last fall. So every once in a while I will up their protein and then drop it back down for a few months. Repeat.

Just a thought and hey! I had a thought about chickens! I am patting me on the back because I am growing up as a chickener. Or not.

Thanks! They have a 4x6 henhouse, which they are only in to lay, and roost at night, and a 10 x 20 run, which should be plenty for 5 chickens. My guess is the protein. I put leaves in there to dig through and other stuff for activities.

I got my test results today.  I am now have an AI clean flock.  I was starting to worry the results took so long to get here.

Congrats!
Also, I think your Doms are beautiful!