ThatTeowonna
Songster
Last year, I had to cull my entire flock due to LT. Actually, the State's chicken vet did it. My chicken yard was on quarantine until I followed all protocol. Thirty days later, Chicken Doc reinspected and released my yard from quarantine. I moved my chicken coop to the other side of the yard as a precaution and got 12 new chicks a few weeks later. Fast forward five months and they are thriving. They are laying and happy in my newly installed 8x15 coop. The run is actually 8x9 and they have plenty of room. But I really want my chickens to free range in my back yard. The previous flock did it and we had no issues with predators.... only the unfortunate LT issue that likely came in on a new chick that I did not quarantine (but there is no way to be sure).
A few months ago, I asked Chicken Doc if it was ok to free range. She said Yes. Still a little fearful, I asked her again and she reconfirmed it is ok to let my chicks out in the yard because I had followed all protocol (burned leaves, cleaned equipment with bleach, etc.). Plus, with the warm weather, the virus would not survive for all the months that have passed.
So, here is the question. I am off tomorrow and can observe my chickens all day... watch for predators, which is a minor concern for me. My main fear is LT. With my history, would YOU let your new chicks free range? Why or why not?
A few months ago, I asked Chicken Doc if it was ok to free range. She said Yes. Still a little fearful, I asked her again and she reconfirmed it is ok to let my chicks out in the yard because I had followed all protocol (burned leaves, cleaned equipment with bleach, etc.). Plus, with the warm weather, the virus would not survive for all the months that have passed.
So, here is the question. I am off tomorrow and can observe my chickens all day... watch for predators, which is a minor concern for me. My main fear is LT. With my history, would YOU let your new chicks free range? Why or why not?