The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[getaclue]

Don't assume the other guy is legit.

 

[speckledhen]

Don't assume the other guy is legit.

Oh, absolutely not. Catfish alert! I won't assume anything about this situation. But, the possibilities are endless as to what is on the other end of the line so who knows? I just want my son free of that wench once and for all. Wish it had happened much sooner before he invested 19 years of his life into her.

 

[speckledhen]

My son is so talented. Someone should hire him for this work, not food service.

 

[getaclue]

That is gorgeous! What language is the writing in?

 

[speckledhen]

That is gorgeous! What language is the writing in?

That is actually a language he created called Kardak. He is part of a language creation society and has been featured in a film about "conlangers", people who create new languages.

 

[h2oratt]

Ok, I just posted this on another thread.
Are my statements accurate?


There is no test for mareks until they are dead.
You can not quarantine for mareks.
You can’t get rid of mareks in your land.
They said wild birds can bring it in.
If your birds die and you don’t pay for necropsy you don’t know what they died from.
Many people either can’t afford a necropsy or live too far away from a place to get one.
I have been told that some necropsy are not even accurate they just decide it was mareks with out actual microscopic evaluation.
Sooo what does it matter? I would not knowingly sell a sick bird but you just never know what you could be bringing on your property. You go to swap or auction, you never know what you have. I really don’t understand people taking birds to shows. Joe blow could have mareks brewing in his birds right next to yours.

 

[h2oratt]

My son is so talented. Someone should hire him for this work, not food service.
View attachment 1507453

Wow he is really talented. Is he good at learning other languages?

 

[speckledhen]

Wow he is really talented. Is he good at learning other languages?

Yes, he was learning Japanese in college.

 

[speckledhen]

Ok, I just posted this on another thread.
Are my statements accurate?


There is no test for mareks until they are dead. I think there is an antibody test (not sure I'm using the correct word here).

You can not quarantine for mareks. Depends on what you mean. You can quarantine for 12 weeks or more to see if you can observe any Marek's symptoms in the bird you are quarantining, however, you may see nothing in that period of time to keep you from putting it with your flock.

You can’t get rid of mareks in your land. No, not as far as I know.

They said wild birds can bring it in. I believe so, but would defer to someone else on that. I believe that most disease of any kind is not from wild birds, but I don't put out bird feeders to draw them, either.

If your birds die and you don’t pay for necropsy you don’t know what they died from. Well, some things you can tell from your own layman's necropsy if you know what to look for. There are sources online to show you how to do one. Lab testing, no you can't do that on your own.
Many people either can’t afford a necropsy or live too far away from a place to get one.
I have been told that some necropsy are not even accurate they just decide it was mareks with out actual microscopic evaluation.
That is true. I know it from close experience. You simply can't have Mareks in the flock with zero symptoms of Mareks (ever). When a lab report has that diagnosis and it makes no sense from the circumstances, you get some other vet to read the report, preferably who knows your flock first-hand.

Sooo what does it matter? I would not knowingly sell a sick bird but you just never know what you could be bringing on your property. You go to swap or auction, you never know what you have. I really don’t understand people taking birds to shows. Joe blow could have mareks brewing in his birds right next to yours.

You just do the best you can to keep disease out, Julie. That's all you can do. If you suspect a bird is a carrier of anything, you have to assume the others have it as well. And you don't sell/give away birds then on the off-chance you'll give others heartache you've experienced. That's really all you can do in the end. But, you do have to try and not just throw up your hands and say what's the use?

 

[getaclue]

There is no test for mareks until they are dead.
True
You can not quarantine for mareks.
Only Partially True
You can’t get rid of mareks in your land.
Only Partially True
They said wild birds can bring it in.
True
If your birds die and you don’t pay for necropsy you don’t know what they died from.
Partially true, at best. As for paying for the necropsy, many states do it for free, or free with NPIP participation.
Many people either can’t afford a necropsy or live too far away from a place to get one.
False
I have been told that some necropsy are not even accurate they just decide it was mareks with out actual microscopic evaluation.
False
Sooo what does it matter?
It matters plenty.
I would not knowingly sell a sick bird but you just never know what you could be bringing on your property. You go to swap or auction, you never know what you have.
This is the reason for biosecurity measures, including footwear that is only worn in your own coop.
I really don’t understand people taking birds to shows. Joe blow could have mareks brewing in his birds right next to yours.
There are very valid reasons for showing birds. A good breeder will not enter a sick bird, and if anyone associated with the show thinks a bird is sick, they will demand it's removal. There have been a few unscrupulous breeders that have entered sick birds more recently, and it's gotten them into serious trouble. All birds entered into the shows are NPIP tested, which doesn't guarantee 100% perfect health, but tends to help. I think we all agree that with some of the more modern problems we're seeing, the NPIP testing could be updated, and more inclusive.