Washingtonians

[Kaneke]

Quote:
Yeah, it's always the same: first warm weather in the spring makes us remember how much we could get done in a day last summer, when we were in shape from working all spring and that much younger. I had shin splints last night and couldn't sleep much.

(Eating lunch, now, and about to go out and glue up a lining for the chicken coop.

yep -- I should probably go out and drive the T-posts to put up the fencing that DH brought home -- but I feel tired and am not quite sure yet how to design the run so it's accessible from the small donated coop AND from the 7 foot tall crate, and still preserve the space beside the house so we can run our vehicles past it --- and dodge the big oak tree with the bushes below it

 

[jbear]

CR-- I will take pics of Raven in his spot .. This weekend or maybe on Thursday


also -- you guys, thank you for the compliments on my seramas, they are pretty neat I think.

I am going to post some pictures to my blog of chicks that CGG hatched for a friend of hers .. Wait till you see them!

And also of dawnM's dd's Monster

who is the cutest lil thing ever! Both-- the dd and the Serama baby

Clf-- so sorry about your uncle.

 

[Greg Richardson]

80% of chickens in local grocery stores test positive for pathogens
Eighty percent of raw chickens from Seattle-area grocery stores were contaminated with at least one type of pathogenic bacteria — - mostly salmonella and campylobacter — according to tests commissioned by a Seattle law firm.

By Sandi Doughton

Seattle Times science reporter




Eighty percent of raw chickens from Seattle-area grocery stores were contaminated with at least one type of pathogenic bacteria — — mostly salmonella and campylobacter — according to tests commissioned by a Seattle law firm.

Ten percent of the samples also tested positive for antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus bacteria. And organic chickens were just as likely as ordinary chickens to be tainted with a range of bugs.

The tests, which examined 100 whole chickens, were paid for by Marler Clark, legal specialists in food-safety cases. But the results were in line with similar surveys from around the country.

Last year Consumer Reports found two-thirds of whole chickens purchased nationwide harbored salmonella or campylobacter, the leading bacterial causes of food poisoning. Scientists from a nonprofit biomedical research center in Phoenix reported last week that 47 percent of the supermarket chicken, turkey, pork and beef they tested was contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus, with about half the strains resistant to antibiotics.

"I was intrigued by these studies and wanted to see if we were having the same issues," said attorney Bill Marler. "I think it's a warning to consumers ... and raises the issue of what industry's responsibility is for lowering that level of bacterial contamination."

A spokesman for the National Chicken Council said the industry has done an "excellent job" of improving food safety. "But chicken is raw, and it does need to be handled and cooked in the normal and customary manner," said Richard Lobb.

Cooking kills bacteria that can cause food-borne illness. Proper cleanup can prevent the cross-contamination of kitchen surfaces, cooking utensils and other foods that is believed to be a major route of transmission for food-borne bugs that cause stomach upset, diarrhea and sometimes more serious illness.

The CDC estimates 1 in 6 Americans are sickened by food-borne pathogens every year, with 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.

The chickens tested for Marler Clark came from 17 grocery stores in Seattle, Shoreline, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. Most major chains were covered, from Safeway to Whole Foods; none received a clean bill of health.

The tests were conducted by Mansour Samadpour, head of the Institute for Environmental Health. The company operates a nationwide network of labs and conducts tests for the food industry. Samadpour said Marler Clark did not influence the outcome.

"There isn't anything here that is earth-shattering," he said. "Everything falls within the range that has been reported before."

Among the detailed findings:


• 65 percent of chickens were positive for one of several campylobacter strains.

• 42 percent were positive for staphylococcus.

• 19 percent were positive for salmonella.

• 10 percent were positive for MRSA — multiple-drug-resistant staphylococcus.

• 1 percent was contaminated with listeria.

Of 13 organic chickens tested, 9 were contaminated with at least one type of bacteria, including salmonella and staph.

 

[T Hi]

^ that is yucky!

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
He is CAY--ooote!!

I am so so far behind on posts i cant even see my backside!! What have I missed?? It took all my energy after the show to catch up on home and work.

My son and I went and sat in on the council meeting yesterday about the ordinance they are trying to pass. It has been postponed 'indefinitely for further research' thankfully. If anyone has been writing the reps-- I would continue to do so, if you can get your neighbors (if applicable) to also e mail the council stating that they aren't bothered by poultry etc ..

Some things brought up were:
hen houses not being 'up to code.

how dumb is that? Although I am sure this person was referring to commercial production, which back yard chickens are NOT.

Neighbors being concerned about odor. If a hen house smells enough that the neighbor can smell it .. I feel bad for the hens!!

And rooster noise of course.

Anyway - it was interesting. Another issue discussed was Shoreline Use... This law will tell you how to build your dock--shape and length-- and you may have to share a dock with your neighbor--like it or not. Also it will tell you how many water toys you are allowed in your dock area-- those water trampolines and stuff.. I wonder how many people who live on waterfront know this is being pushed through?? Probably as many rural unincorperated pierce county people knew about the livestock thing--very few.

-----> I LOVE my froggie and raven CR

Rooster noise - of course -

CHICKEN HOUSES UP TO CODE!!!!! Oh my gosh, I'm gonna hide my dog house now cause it will be next. How long before my hamster is a target??!!! I think little kids being neglected by their druggie parents should be way more of a focus than someone wanting to grow their own eggs!

I suspect what they really mean they're concerned about chicken houses looking ramshackle.

 

[hallerlake]

H and H poultry is sending me Brabanter chicks this week. In about two weeks, I'll have Spitz hatching (God willing). I think my dog crate brooder is going to be too small. Does anyone have something bigger they could lend me? Please.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

To those who had birds at the show. I am sure you all had some very nice birds there. Sorry I can't compliment ya since the only birds I saw were the sale birds within view of my booth. Shoot for all I know maybe they were the only birds there!

 

[T Hi]

Hope you are feeling better CR!!

Ok I'm heading to Blueducklings tomorrow!!!

She is loaning me her bator! My BYC family is the bestest!!!

JB- I'm going to use the LG as a hatcher. I will get it back to you soon!!

If anyone needs me to run chickens or eggs north or south tomorrow let me know!! With gas prices thru the roof... we might as well use eachother for the underground poultry/waterfowl train!!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Do you have chickens that WASTE feed? Well it seems we do. I bought 4 bags monday before the show. As of yesterday we had 1 1/2 left. Now these are 50# bags and we only have 24 LF plus 9 banties. I think the banty feed evaporates faster than they eat it. So I made what I hope will be the solution to waste and still allow many birds to eat at once. We have the large metal hanging feeders. My solution is very simple and VERY cheap. Most of ya probably have what ya need to make this fix. I will keep ya posted and if it works I will do pics.

 

[Rainwolf]

Quote:
Maybe someone down your way wants some pretty maran roosters?

They gonna have to go to freezer camp on friday.. if not sold $10 each