Texas

[Eliza1313]

NPIP is a crock.   NPIP lets you ship legally across state lines, but even then, some states have more requirements for importation of poultry than what is involved with any states' NPIP *certification*.  NPIP is a *national* program, but it is administered by each state separately and each state tests for what it wants.  Some states won't even test flocks unless the flock is very large, causing small breeders to be unable to get NPIP and be able to ship birds to folks who want them.  Essentially NPIP is a way to make money for the government, not really to ensure poultry health. 

To my knowledge NPIP testing for certification is free in the state of Texas. It is a test specificallly for two diseases for all states. Then there are other tests that some states do in addition. If you want to show you have to have the certification.

How can I tell who is a certified breeder?

NPIP is a certification that says that the breeder's flock is free from two diseases that can be passed from hen into egg and thus chick. The American Poultry Association APA is planning to restart their flock certifications, and probably already has certified a few flocks by now. This certification is in regards to the Standard of Perfection SOP.
It is still a good idea to ask about their breeding and husbandry practices if you are purchasing from a small breeder versus a hatchery.

 

[bnjrob]

To my knowledge NPIP testing for certification is free in the state of Texas. It is a test specificallly for two diseases for all states. Then there are other tests that some states do in addition. If you want to show you have to have the certification.
NPIP is a certification that says that the breeder's flock is free from two diseases that can be passed from hen into egg and thus chick. The American Poultry Association APA is planning to restart their flock certifications, and probably already has certified a few flocks by now. This certification is in regards to the Standard of Perfection SOP.
It is still a good idea to ask about their breeding and husbandry practices if you are purchasing from a small breeder versus a hatchery.

NPIP is not free. The basic pullorum/typhoid testing that is done in TX is not the same as having an NPIP number. NPIP has more paperwork and regulations for the breeder to follow, such as not obtaining stock from non-NPIP entities and keeping paperwork on who buys your birds in order to track birds, and more frequent testing. Earlier this year the cost was around $100 for registering for an NPIP number, but may have increased since there were changes that were going to be looked at when the new registration year began in July. That cost did not include the laboratory testing fees for avian influenza. Before the new registration year started this summer, TX NPIP was pullorum/typhoid mandatory, but you could also add the optional avian flu testing. Not all states have optional testing and make everything mandatory that they feel is important.

Each state determines what testing will be done for their version of NPIP, despite the idea people have that the requirements are the same across the country because this is named the *National Poultry Improvement Plan*. Some states only worry about pullorum/typhoid, others require testing for additional diseases. This is why many good breeders do not worry about NPIP testing because they are not raising birds to make lots of money. So the requirements and cost of getting an NPIP number is not worth it, because the individual states have different requirements for NPIP and what is ok for NPIP in one state may not be enough for another state and the person would have to get additional testing done on their birds if they were to ship birds to a state with a more rigorous testing requirement.

Yes, the APA has certified a couple of poultry flocks as being uniformly consistent with the breed standards for the breeds of poultry they keep. From the discontent I've seen posted among APA breeders, sounds like it may not be as popular as some people thought, due to concerns over how this flock certification came about and the requirements for it.

 

[jtn42248]

This is what I found...don't know if it has changed or not...

http://www.poultryhelp.com/npipclientinfo.html

It is always a good idea to check with your local Ag office for the most current information.

 

[laurend82891]

Hi guys!
I am new to this forum but not new to chickens! We recently moved to a larger piece of land in Spicewood, Tx outside of Austin. I was wondering if anyone knew of any local (or further away) breeders that sell crele penedesenca chickens?

Thanks!
Lauren

 

[StelleKitten]

My first pip! Sorry it's so dark, the silly thing has stuck itself in the corner of the incubator. The eggs I am hatching are mostly rhode island reds, a couple of buff orpingtons and perhaps a large cornish game hen egg. I suspect that the egg that has already pipped is one. But I don't know, I haven't seen any that have that dark of a shell with speckles in any of my pens in a while. The only one that laid an egg like that was Sparky but I had to toss her egg unless I accidentally set an older one.

 

[Ren2014]

Hi guys!
I am new to this forum but not new to chickens! We recently moved to a larger piece of land in Spicewood, Tx outside of Austin. I was wondering if anyone knew of any local (or further away) breeders that sell crele penedesenca chickens?

Thanks!
Lauren

I do not but I'm sure someone here might.

My first pip! Sorry it's so dark, the silly thing has stuck itself in the corner of the incubator. The eggs I am hatching are mostly rhode island reds, a couple of buff orpingtons and perhaps a large cornish game hen egg. I suspect that the egg that has already pipped is one. But I don't know, I haven't seen any that have that dark of a shell with speckles in any of my pens in a while. The only one that laid an egg like that was Sparky but I had to toss her egg unless I accidentally set an older one.

YAY!

for you. I had two ducks hatch yesterday, 8 waiting

 

[RIR-YELLOWLEGS]

My first pip! Sorry it's so dark, the silly thing has stuck itself in the corner of the incubator. The eggs I am hatching are mostly rhode island reds, a couple of buff orpingtons and perhaps a large cornish game hen egg. I suspect that the egg that has already pipped is one. But I don't know, I haven't seen any that have that dark of a shell with speckles in any of my pens in a while. The only one that laid an egg like that was Sparky but I had to toss her egg unless I accidentally set an older one.

good luck on the little pips gope the little one hatch out well keep me posted on the RIRs I would like to see pictures

 

[StelleKitten]

I do not but I'm sure someone here might.

YAY!

for you. I had two ducks hatch yesterday, 8 waiting

I do not but I'm sure someone here might.

YAY!

for you. I had two ducks hatch yesterday, 8 waiting

Congrats!

good luck on the little pips gope the little one hatch out well keep me posted on the RIRs I would like to see pictures

I've got two out! About to post some pics.

 

[Coopmom56]

Cross-posted from https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1065952/west-texas-breeders#post_16237059 at the suggestion of caveman rich:



Having moved from South Texas to Lubbock, we're about to move onto some land and I'm finally going to get another flock of chickens! This time around, I want to hatch eggs with a surrogate Mother Hen, rather than ordering Hatchery Chicks.

Here's my ideal plan:

--Get two to three pullets of an appropriately broody breed from someone within driving distance of Lubbock.

--Raise them in my little coop while preparing the big coop and run.

--When one or two pullets mature and turn broody, obtain fertile eggs of a dual purpose breed (my wife likes the Americaunas, and I like Jersey Giants) and let the young Momma(s) hatch them.


My main question is this: Where in West Texas can I get either the pullets, eggs, or both?


Thanks, and I am so glad to be back!!

SF

Welcome! I'm in Amarillo (well, just south) - there are FaceBook groups called "West Texas Chickens" and "Chickens and Stuff in the Texas Panhandle". You might ask to join those - people post chickens for sale there occasionally. Of course, you'd have to verify the quality of the seller's flock. Also people post chickens/pullets/chicks on Craigslist in Lubbock quite frequently. I check Craigslist every so often just to see what's up for sale.

Hope this helps!

 

[ssoraya]

Hey - I'm a forum stalker, but not a poster. I'm in NE Dallas and I need someone to watch my flock for about five days after Christmas. Nothing crazy - just letting them out and locking them in at night. And food and water. Anyone out there with good resources?