The Middle Tennessee Thread

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Well, the NPIP man just left. All in all it was painless (well, for me anyway). Here's what happened:
The worst part was catching each chicken. Once we caught one, I held them upside down by their feet long enough for him to prick a vein up under their wing. He then transferred a drop of blood to his plate thingie where it mixed in with the substance that indicated pylorum (all clean here!). I turned them right side up and he swabbed their mouths for avian flu. That gets sent off to the state lab. Once that was done I let them loose outside. We tested 21 of my lot before the rains started. He decided that was a good sampling of my flock so we were done. I have a piece of paper to send off to the state to get the actual card.

When you do this, make sure you wear old clothes. By the time we finished I was covered in blood and mud and poop. Ook. The chickens are no worse for wear other than being highly offended by the indignity of it all. It's also better if you aren't squeamish at the sight of blood and needles.

All in all it wasn't so bad. It would have been nicer if the weather had cooperated. It's raining out here. Again. Sigh. I am so very tired of rain.

 

[HBuehler]

Oh you didn't know...they only test on rainy days

it's true..they have never been here when it's not raining

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

HA! Isn't that just the truth? Granted, it's always raining or snowing these days.

On the plus side, it did keep us from testing all bajillion birds. I figured he'd test about half. Let's face it. If one of them has something they all have it. The pens are practically on top of each other. It's nice that it's all done.

I was very, very happy to have those magic $14 muck boots though. They were covered in mud, poop and blood too. The crocs just wouldn't have cut it today.

So chicks are in there hatching early. Two are out and another 5 have pipped. The co-op gets their barred rock shipment tomorrow, so I'll go get 8 girl chicks to add to the brooder. Since I can pick only girls it makes it a lot easier to get rid of the boys I hatch out. Everybody wants a flock. Nobody wants just roosters.

I love having chicks in the house!! I have missed their happy little chickie noises.

 

[Troyerchicks]

We're gonna need a bigger brooder!

The little chicks aren't quite so little anymore and are getting the barest hint of tail feathers. They are super cute but still quite a bit skittish.
You all will understand this: I told a friend of mine that I wanted to move out to the country. She called me a few days later and told me that there was 100+ acres for sale right next door to her. My first thought? "I could get more chickens!!! Maybe some barred rocks, easter eggers, buckeyes......"

I do believe a monster has been created!!
My second thought was "I need to win that lottery!" DH just rolled his eyes but secretly smiled.

 

[oldchickenlady]

I picked up my SLW's from The Poultry House in Franklin, TN last Saturday. They are sooo cute! I have 7 little girls and 1 little roo. I am off tomorrow and I will post pics. I am also sick of rain...it has rained nearly every day off I have had for...seems like forever! These chicks seem to be a lot calmer about being picked up than my BO's and RIR's I bought last year. I am going to have such a pretty mix of fluffy butts in my yard this summer! My 2 DS's and DH all said I didn't need anymore chickens...but last night I walked into the bedroom and DH is laying in bed watching TV with one of them on his chest. As soon as I walked in he says (all macho like) It better not poop on me! Of course, it did!

An my kitchen stool mysteriously appeared by the brooder box, too! Dont know how it got there...but apparently someone who thinks I don't need chickens has been sitting by the brooder when I was at work....hmmm wonder who? My dog still is watching over them, but at least she isn't waking me up in the middle of the night to go look at them! I appreciate that!

 

[CluckyJay]

LOL Chicken Lady! That sounds like my husband, hehe.

We need pictures of the babies! Especially on hubby's chest! Too cute.

 

[oldchickenlady]

Quote:
I am sure he wont let me take a pic of him and a chick...unless he happened to fall asleep with it on his chest! That would be classic! Anyway, I will get some pics tomorrow of the little cuties. They were a week old yesterday.

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

Old Chicken Lady what is "the poultry house" in Franklin? Sounds like a place to visit for us chicken addicts!lol

 

[Jenski]

Hey CluckyJay, I get my food grade DE (branded under "Fossil Shell Flour") from a Perma Guard dealer over in Brentwood. There is another one in MBoro - -

http://perma-guard.com/Dist-Tennessee.html

Don't know if that is close enough to you, but that's the company I use FYI. Good luck!



[Ed. to add - - I'm in the middle of "warshin dishes" and other evening stuff, so I'll save all my chit-chattin' for tomorrow morning. . . night, all!

]

 

[HBuehler]

Okla-it's a hatchery in Franklin
Jenski-you can come wash my dishes when your done...laundry would be nice.Gosh all this chicken selling I can't get my house work done.