Utah!

[RJSorensen]

I have been mulling over Red's comment up a few posts, regarding the keeping of chicken visitors away from her birds. And that she by the same token, would not wish to visit your birds. This concept has just been kicking round and about my poor head… well since I read it. I believe that I do understand it, and though it does seem harsh on the one hand, I believe it to be wisdom. I wish and want to come and visit many of you, it is in the nature of chicken lovers to share and nurture one another, much as we do here in the Utah BYC thread.

I want to go see Red's Icelandic chickens, sorta of bad, and go over to Lisa's place for a show and tell, and out to Rural's place in Park Valley. I mean how far is too far to drive to see chickens? It would be quite a ways for me. I would like to see Cynthia's hatching setup and try to gain some of her knowledge, and Sundance has some very nice birds, I have seen at the Salt Lake county fair, but just missed her. So I want to take a grand coop tour of the whole group here. Everyone has something to share, or a unique method, insight that has been gleaned from years of trial and error, and etc.

I have come to the conclusion, that my personal thoughts are much the same as Red's. I suppose that sharing in pictures and posts, are the best and safest methods. I do wish it were not so, but it would seem that the times have changed, the days of not worrying about things are much like the late 1960's, a time that has now passed. And as I type this, I think of Ace and the Bird man/guy and many, many of you.

I don't know that/if we have a top or bottom here in this Utah thread. Everyone is welcome, everyone is nice, most if not all are helpful and or insightful. A plethora of skills and talent, support on bad days, cheers on hatches and other notable events. Everyone shares in the ups and downs… and at times there are both. Poor Lisa and her cross beaks and other genetic problems in a flock she wished to breed from, to help the breed. To put the time, effort and emotions into such and endeavor and yet be forced to leave it, against ones will just sucks. I am most unhappy for her and any bad luck that befalls the keeper of birds here. Culling is the dirty underbelly of the hobby… that is more than I wish to say regarding it.

But a resilient group resides here, I am happy and proud with each and everyone here, who picks up the pieces and moves on. I do not know of anyone in the Utah thread that has thrown up their hands and run for the door. Everyone just takes a few minutes to hours, but understands the nature of the hobby and thought not accepting a setback, deals with it and moves on. I have been just floored in many of the posts I have seen here, where you kind folks just plod along, shoulder to the wheel type. (Queue the music here.)

Anyway I just wanted to share that I, for better or worse, agree with Red on the potential dangers the times are offering us. To share that I most likely will not be visiting your flock. And I do wish that it were not so. At the same time, those of you whom wish to do so, I am good with that, everyone has to decide what the rules with their flock are, and my wishes are that you are right. I was out with Henny Penny just prior to posting this, and I suppose I will repost her photograph with the painted toes, I do so enjoy my flock. I am pleased that I know that you enjoy yours in much the same way. It is a very nice feeling.



Best to all here in the Utah thread, and your birds,

RJ

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

RJ I am also pretty paranoid about flock visiting---if I do it, it is people I know, and here at the house we Lysol our shoes in the front driveway then walk back to look no touching lol. And yup there is hand sanitizer hanging on the coop.

I am ok with it, with precautions...and if I ever had any sick birds I would not ever go chicken friend visiting...nor would I want the same, I think it's pretty good biosecurity precautions to be sure the shoes are sanitized at the very least so that all the heebie jeebies on ones property are not spread to another. I think Marek's is the scariest---once you get it, you are stuck with it, in your soil for 7 years and a closed flock. I am pretty careful also about getting any birds other than chicks...not mingled with the adult flocks...that helps...and hatching your own when possible.

When I go visiting, I spray my own shoes and hands (don't know if you saw us spraying our shoes as we were getting out of the car when we came to visit you, we were doing that as we got out haha!) I wait until I get out of my own car, because I figure if I do it beforehand I might get more of my own chicken heebie jeebies on my shoes from my car. Kinda silly, but really, it's not. Then at least I do not feel like we are tracking anyting into another's yard. Kind of like bringing uninvited visitors with, without asking permission Haha

 

[newmarch2014]

The couple times I have ventured to places that would compromise our biosecurity I wear my shoes that slip on and off and they go on at the back of the car and back off and in a bag or bucket and when I get home they go right into the washer. No touching of course and hand wasing after the washer is started....This may seem a little paranoid to some but I would rather be paranoid than sorry. I put too much time/feed and love into those little buggars to lose them to casual/reventable mistakes.

 

[Sambi89]

Thanks for the info Sambi! Where is the best place to get cedar oil?

I get mine online.
I'm a big Amazon shopper lol. The less work I have to do the better. I put it in a spray bottle with water and shake vigorously then spray heavily on that area. Sometimes I will do it a few days in a row just to make sure they have no more interest in that area.

 

[sundancenbare]

I am down to 3 Gold Copper Maran Pullets. If no one on the list wants them I will put them on KSL Just let me know

 

[sundancenbare]

I have been mulling over Red's comment up a few posts, regarding the keeping of chicken visitors away from her birds. And that she by the same token, would not wish to visit your birds. This concept has just been kicking round and about my poor head… well since I read it. I believe that I do understand it, and though it does seem harsh on the one hand, I believe it to be wisdom. I wish and want to come and visit many of you, it is in the nature of chicken lovers to share and nurture one another, much as we do here in the Utah BYC thread.

I want to go see Red's Icelandic chickens, sorta of bad, and go over to Lisa's place for a show and tell, and out to Rural's place in Park Valley. I mean how far is too far to drive to see chickens? It would be quite a ways for me. I would like to see Cynthia's hatching setup and try to gain some of her knowledge, and Sundance has some very nice birds, I have seen at the Salt Lake county fair, but just missed her. So I want to take a grand coop tour of the whole group here. Everyone has something to share, or a unique method, insight that has been gleaned from years of trial and error, and etc.

I have come to the conclusion, that my personal thoughts are much the same as Red's. I suppose that sharing in pictures and posts, are the best and safest methods. I do wish it were not so, but it would seem that the times have changed, the days of not worrying about things are much like the late 1960's, a time that has now passed. And as I type this, I think of Ace and the Bird man/guy and many, many of you.

I don't know that/if we have a top or bottom here in this Utah thread. Everyone is welcome, everyone is nice, most if not all are helpful and or insightful. A plethora of skills and talent, support on bad days, cheers on hatches and other notable events. Everyone shares in the ups and downs… and at times there are both. Poor Lisa and her cross beaks and other genetic problems in a flock she wished to breed from, to help the breed. To put the time, effort and emotions into such and endeavor and yet be forced to leave it, against ones will just sucks. I am most unhappy for her and any bad luck that befalls the keeper of birds here. Culling is the dirty underbelly of the hobby… that is more than I wish to say regarding it.

But a resilient group resides here, I am happy and proud with each and everyone here, who picks up the pieces and moves on. I do not know of anyone in the Utah thread that has thrown up their hands and run for the door. Everyone just takes a few minutes to hours, but understands the nature of the hobby and thought not accepting a setback, deals with it and moves on. I have been just floored in many of the posts I have seen here, where you kind folks just plod along, shoulder to the wheel type. (Queue the music here.)

Anyway I just wanted to share that I, for better or worse, agree with Red on the potential dangers the times are offering us. To share that I most likely will not be visiting your flock. And I do wish that it were not so. At the same time, those of you whom wish to do so, I am good with that, everyone has to decide what the rules with their flock are, and my wishes are that you are right. I was out with Henny Penny just prior to posting this, and I suppose I will repost her photograph with the painted toes, I do so enjoy my flock. I am pleased that I know that you enjoy yours in much the same way. It is a very nice feeling.



Best to all here in the Utah thread, and your birds,

RJ

I was at the USDA Vet offices today I talked to them about the bird flu. They tell me It isn't really a problem and not to worry. They said its almost impossible to not contaminate flocks if it is around because you can get it on your shoes just walking down the street. She had just got back from helping put down the million birds from the farm back east that was infected. They expect when the birds aren't migrating was a oretty interesting conversation

 

[Cynthia12]

RJ, I am the same as Lisa and Whit...don't let folks in my back yard. Ask Brian..he he. He is over here a bit, and when he goes to see my chickens from the house, he stands in the back doorway, doesn't go out. He knows how I am. He doesn't mind. He still loves me.
I also have a pair that I only wear back there. I won't wear my shoes that I wear around the house, or out and about. Just my chicken shoes..or boots in the winter. Yep, Lisa is right, that Mereks is the scary one. :/
To let you know, my set up for incubating is not fancy by any means! I have two bators on the floor of a guest room..and, at the time, I have the brooder set up in there too because I hatched one of Brian's eggs, and one more is soon to hatch. So, will have his two, and then my Marans and EE's will hatch, then my little Silkies or SG's. I found that this room is the best one for the bators. Wish me good luck on these eggs that are in now. I'm putting away the bators when this hatch is done, until..who knows. I have a cockerel out there..hoping he stays as nice as he is now. He is from the New Years Day hatch a long..still hasn't crowed! Pretty sure he's a boy. An EE. Just waiting, any day now. Then, if that rooster collar works, I may get me some fertile eggs. I would get some Olive Eggs for sure. That would be fun to see how they would turn out. We'll see, I've tried the rooster thing a couple of times. The last one went after my poor little Dachshund. I mean, went after. :/ He had to go. Had a silkie roo. Wow, those little guys can make some noise, the seramas too! I was surprised. We'll see if this one stays nice, and if the collar works..I would so love to have a rooster.
Love, Love, your little nail painted Henny Penny. Soo cute!

 

[RJSorensen]

I want to thank Lisa, for watching out for me, before I knew that I needed watching out for! I had no idea you were so kind as to protect me, and in turn yourself. Thank you. Cynthia, thank you for the kind words on Henny Penny, I think you were hard at work on the Easter hatch a long when I posted her the first time. This bio-security thing is a silent danger, I want to thank the Sages here for sharing their thoughts and practices regarding the issue. You guys are the best, and I bow in your general directions…

Enjoyed the much needed rain from the evening past, the lawn was much in need of the moisture. Which perhaps has brought a few worms to the surface, and thus into the careful gaze of my birds. Time to walk down to the coops and let them out for the day.

Enjoy your weekend,

RJ

 

[RedIII]

I like the idea of having a separate pair of shoes for the coop and run area. RJ, you and others are certainly welcome at my place once the flu scare has settled down. Just don't take it personal if I require some decontamination before going out in the yard

 

[bitsyhorse]

I am down to 3 Gold Copper Maran Pullets. If no one on the list wants them I will put them on KSL Just let me know

how much are you asking for them? and how old are they?