Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

Yes I would have them locked down for sure. That is just terrifying.

Is there migratory birds on the move down your way? It’s the depths of winter here so no migration happening. I am just wondering why at this time of year there is an issue with AI down your way.

For my Vet. Assistant course I had to pick an animals disease and do a report on it - I chose AI. There was a study done in India a couple of years ago that found in high temps (I don't remember the degrees Celcius, but it was around 110 degrees F). At that temp, AI dies within 48 hours. They tested it at 4 different temps (in both wet and dry poop samples). at the lowest temp (4 degrees C, so around 39-40 degrees F), it lived and was viable (infectious) up through 8 weeks in both wet and dry samples. There is anecdotal evidence it can survive indefinitely at freezing temps ( no studies I found on this, though). So, this seems to be why it is so prevelant in colder temps. Sun and heat kills it. They also believe that waterbirds (ducks, geese, terns, gulls, etc) act as reservoirs for the disease year to year. Seems like it will not get better until the heat comes back.

Please all, keep your chooks safe. Unfortunately, with the huge pines (hence, no way to put a full roof/netting/etc), I can't keep wild birds out, and I am petrified.

 

[rural mouse]

It's too cold to stay outside!
View attachment 4050103

It's about 50 degrees warmer than it was about 4 days ago....

and snowing again....all powder.

 

[BY Bob]

Latest on Bird Flu

Bird flu continues to ravage layer flocks. You can always find

the latest at this website.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

You will find things like the following chart...

I also have a spreadsheet of every reported case of bird flu identified in wild birds since they started tracking. If anyone wants to know what's been happening in their state with wild birds, let me know.

 

[BY Bob]

For my Vet. Assistant course I had to pick an animals disease and do a report on it - I chose AI. There was a study done in India a couple of years ago that found in high temps (I don't remember the degrees Celcius, but it was around 110 degrees F). At that temp, AI dies within 48 hours. They tested it at 4 different temps (in both wet and dry poop samples). at the lowest temp (4 degrees C, so around 39-40 degrees F), it lived and was viable (infectious) up through 8 weeks in both wet and dry samples. There is anecdotal evidence it can survive indefinitely at freezing temps ( no studies I found on this, though). So, this seems to be why it is so prevelant in colder temps. Sun and heat kills it. They also believe that waterbirds (ducks, geese, terns, gulls, etc) act as reservoirs for the disease year to year. Seems like it will not get better until the heat comes back.

Please all, keep your chooks safe. Unfortunately, with the huge pines (hence, no way to put a full roof/netting/etc), I can't keep wild birds out, and I am petrified.

 

[Sally PB]

We're going to get comparatively warm tomorrow, and then the bottom drops out again for a few days next week with single digit temps.

The good thing about the warm up? I think I'll be able to get the poop stalagmites off the poop board. The bad thing? Possibly freezing rain.

I told the ladies tonight at lock up that we were in for a few days/nights of very cold air again. I'll be giving them a bowl of meatie snack next week, for sure. Maybe more than once.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes I would have them locked down for sure. That is just terrifying.

Is there migratory birds on the move down your way? It’s the depths of winter here so no migration happening. I am just wondering why at this time of year there is an issue with AI down your way.

There are Canadian geese all over the place here right now. They seem to be unsure as to whether go north or south.

 

[BY Bob]

Success! Dakota finally doesn’t shy away when I want to pet her and talk to her (she’s very intelligent) I’m amazed how much touchy feely I am with my chooks, but I am not that good with people in general

Well done sir.

 

[bgmathteach]

My heart is a little heavy tonight. I just saw that a former set of neighbor's 10 year old daughter was diagnosed this evening with type 1 diabetes. I know there are worse diseases out there, I get that. I have been in her place before and it was the scariest time of my life. I'm 25 years in this June on this journey and there are still days diabetes reminds me that no matter how many advancements and tools have come along, I'm still not able to do the job as well as a perfectly working pancreas.

 

[Sally PB]

There are Canadian geese all over the place here right now. They seem to be unsure as to whether go north or south.

Same here! A huge flock flew over my house (and coop and run) last night when I was out there for lock up.

So very glad I have a roofed run. I wish I could let the ladies out, but times like this, I'm glad that I don't and that they don't know anything about going outside the run.

 

[bgmathteach]

Latest on Bird Flu

Bird flu continues to ravage layer flocks. You can always find

the latest at this website.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

You will find things like the following chart...
View attachment 4050125

I also have a spreadsheet of every reported case of bird flu identified in wild birds since they started tracking. If anyone wants to know what's been happening in their state with wild birds, let me know.

I used this same report for my presentation. Note that Massachusetts shows no cases on the map, nor does CT...but CT. has had 2 cases (near the coast), and Massachusetts has had one @ UMass Amherst(geese on their on-campus pond - not 'cared for', but also not wild - most likely ones that were dumped at some point.). Umass is about 25 miles as the crow flies - not very far, and lots of waterways close (think CT river)

Note that when I accessed it on Feb 3rd, there were only 4 & 3 flocks respectively in Feb. Now there are 38 & 25 respectively in Feb (commercial versus backyard). So very, very scary!