NH Homesteader- turkeys!

[farmerjan]

I feel for you guys up there. We got only about 2" from the 3-8 predicted mon night and it got up to 46 and sunny on Tues so most all is gone except in the hollows. Then the wind started and it has been blowing like a banshee. Was down to 17 last night. Worse today, up to 28 and will probably be near the high. Wind blowing hard and gusts are making the wind chill back to upper teens so pretty miserable. Especially after the 60's plus for many days in Feb and last week. One good thing, at least this time of year we know it can't last as long. Just hope no one feels like they have to calve today or tonight.

 

[Latestarter]

Good to see that you all survived the storm.

 

[NH homesteader]

We're good, just cold and snowy! It is snowing again now...

Daydreaming about moving south... Researching regulations to move livestock. Goats are easy, poultry not so much.

 

[CntryBoy777]

It has been within the last couple of wks that avian flu was found in 2 commercial chicken farms in Lincoln county Tn.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

We're good, just cold and snowy! It is snowing again now...

Daydreaming about moving south... Researching regulations to move livestock. Goats are easy, poultry not so much.

What do you need to test for? Pullorum-typhoid & AI?

 

[NH homesteader]

What do you need to test for? Pullorum-typhoid & AI?

Yes, or be an NPIP flock. I just emailed the state vet's office to find out what the requirements/process would be for that, seems it varies by state. What I don't know is, if I am not NPIP do I need a vet to test every bird?

I saw that, about AI in TN. Go figure, raising chickens in confinement is bad for them.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Being NPIP is really no big deal! Back when we were a big poultry breeding farm we were NPIP. Blood is drawn from every bird and a % of PCR tests for AI. It sounds over whelming at first, but you have a small flock so it will be easy. We tested well over 100 birds every year.

 

[NH homesteader]

Does the state vet do it or are there others that come do it? I was thinking of doing it eventually anyway, just a nice thing to have if we're selling birds. My birds are going to be thrilled on that day! Lol

Oh, same process for turkeys?

 

[Bruce]

I gotta ask, are you especially attached to the current birds? Have a breeding program up and coming? If not, might be worth finding them a local home and starting with new chicks (and a Momma Heating Pad brooder) once you've moved.

I would guess we got about 2', hard to say with all the blowing and drifting.

 

[NH homesteader]

Good question. Yes, some of them we are. We have a pair of Chocolate turkeys from a breeder by the seacoast and some Dominique hens and a roo from a breeder also in NH. They are not easy birds to come by. The generic layers I'm not as worried about, if there's room for them cool, if not no biggie.