NH Homesteader- turkeys!

[farmerjan]

Yes, every state has certain requirements; to be an NPIP flock you can also do eggs, I think it is 3 dozen, here in Va it is every 3 or 6 months maybe. If you have less than 25 or 50 birds in Va you have to blood test every bird; otherwise it is like 50% up to a certain #. We do it for the show chickens. The state vet comes out to your farm to do it.
Now, there are also those that have just moved their small flock and then when the time comes to do something, they are just eggs you got from a friend to hatch. I am not promoting that; but.....If AI has been confirmed in Tn then you may run into some problems with bringing birds in legally. Quarantines can last from 3 months to as much as a year or more. Contact the state vet directly in Tn and see what the requirements are. I do know that the requirements for the shows here in Va are different from say NC....
I would only take the ones you are attached to, and the turkeys. Layers are available from so many 4-H and other type projects. It is not worth the aggravation of moving commercial birds, and all depending on when you go, they might be ready for the soup pot anyway. And hatching eggs do not have the same requirements of live birds being brought into the state so you could get some of the different breeds that way once you get there. The fewer you need to transport, then get settled in as far as the chickens go, the easier. They often will quit laying, maybe go into a molt, so you might be feeding some unproductive birds for awhile after you get there.

 

[NH homesteader]

I would love to just bring a few chickens! And the turkeys, they're very hard to replace. The state of TN's website says...

• All poultry must originate from a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) certified flock with proof of classification as Pullorum-Typhoid (PT) Clean AND Avian Influenza (AI) Clean or AI Monitored.
• All poultry not originating from NPIP certified flock require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and proof of negative PT testing with 90 days prior to import AND AI testing within 21 days prior to import.

And for goats:

• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (valid for 30 days).
• Official Scrapie Identification, except for low risk - commercial/meat goats. Please call USDA Toll-free number 1-866-USDA TAG (873-2824) for further details.

So, from what I've read, registration tattoos are valid. The list includes ADGA but not MDGA. So I need to find out if my girls' tattoos and paperwork counts.

 

[Bruce]

Wow, what does it cost for a vet to blood test 50 birds???

Which is why I asked how important the individual birds are. I do understand the turkeys and Dominiques, especially if they are high quality. If the tests and certification cost less than what it would cost to replace the birds it is a no (bird) brainer And if you have to get everything tested anyway, might as well bring the rest, or at least those that are young and great layers.

 

[NH homesteader]

Well the reason I am looking into NPIP is because it is possible that the certification will cost less than a one-time vet bill to test everyone. As they really want people to participate in testing and monitoring birds, I've read that it is not usually expensive.

I don't even know if my vet would see the turkeys to do tests so I have to figure something out anyway.

 

[Southern by choice]

Each state has it's own schedule of fees for NPIP- NC was very inexpensive. Recently they changed the fees. But when we were much larger I think it was 0.05 - 0.10 a bird.
If you had a small flock it may be a $10 fee additional. I think one year we did like 145 birds for $12. Enrollment fee is a one time fee. I think back when we first signed on it was $10. The AI is free.
The program covers chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, I believe quail and pheasant even pigeons I think.

 

[NH homesteader]

See that's manageable!

@Southern by choice Do you know about scrapies tags/tattoos?

 

[Southern by choice]

it has changed a bit so it is best to look it up and see what is current

 

[NH homesteader]

Thanks, will do. I can't say I would be thrilled about tagging my girls, so hoping the tattoos are sufficient!

 

[farmerjan]

In Va we do the Pullorum-Typhoid and it is free. It is part of our taxes, a state offered service. I am not sure of the AI but I think that they do charge a minimal amount. Do you have a state dept of ag there? They are the ones that do it, not a private vet. It is a simple blood draw from under their wing, and we have never had any problem with the birds. If you properly handle the birds, it is a "quickie" event.
My son had them there this morning to do his show birds so he can show at the Uniontown PA poultry show in April. They were there less than 45 min total and I think they did 20 or so. That included catching them up from several different coops/pens. His bantam game roosters cannot be housed together once they have been separated as they will fight and kill each other. Nature of the breed. The standard males are even more aggressive. But his father and even grandfather have been raising these for over 75 years, so the bloodlines are pretty well established, and they have some pretty good ones.
Call the state vet dept. That is part of what you are paying all those ridiculous taxes for. Have a copy of the requirements for Tenn and ask what the state vet representative can do for the getting your testing done. Don't ask your private vet first, make the state earn their paychecks.

 

[NH homesteader]

I contacted the state vet's office yesterday so we will see how prompt they are!