What does NPIP Mean

[Rufflemyfeathers]

What does NPIP Certified Flock mean??

 

[dixiechick]

National Poultry Improvement Plan. It's an annual test to make sure your flock is free of certain diseases. Here in FL, it's a free service. You get a reference number and paperwork to prove to shows/buyers that you have healthy birds.

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

Where would I get this at??

 

[speckledhen]

Call your State Dept of Agriculture. It's a USDA program and has many restrictions involved with it-you can only add birds from other NPIP flocks, etc.

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

Ok..I don't plan on adding any other birds to mine except what eggs I hatch out and so far all the eggs have purchased came from NPIP Certified flocks..so that means later on I get my tested..do they come to your place or do I haul all the chickens to them.

 

[Mrs MIA]

If you have a lot of birds it's easier for them to come to you.

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

Ok thanks for the info and I will keep that in mind..how old do they have to be to get tested mine are just babies yet?

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

Does everyone that sell eggs get them tested.

 

[speckledhen]

No, they dont. NPIP usually only tests for three or four diseases, but there are so many more they may contract. Some can be passed through the egg, but some cannot.
I'd say the vast majority who sell eggs are not NPIP certified.

 

[Mrs MIA]

The birds have to be a minimum of 16 weeks old to be tested, from what I've been told. I have the State Vet coming next month to test all of mine, because they were too young in August.