In the wake of the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza, I like many have taken the time to read articles and reports about what is being done to contain it and minimize the spread while at the same time minimizing the devastation required to achieve the latter. I commend the USDA and Indiana state veterinarians for a rapid response and the ability to make necessary decisions that I wouldn’t want to have to make!
Though most if not all of the information I have followed concerning the outbreak seems to be very forthcoming. I notice many armchair quarterbacks leaving snide comments or disheartening insults towards all involved including Veterinarians, farm owners, and the USDA and it leaves me scratching my head wondering why we are so eager to condemn on something of this magnitude? We all at some time plan-plan-plan for the unexpected and most of us recognize that even the best-laid plans require experiences to tweak them into perfection, after all, “practice does not make perfect, rather, perfect practice makes perfect.”
Poultry Preparedness
On our farm we are big believers of “biosecurity” and if you have ever been to our farm you understand exactly what I am talking about! We do not allow visitors in our pens, the clothes and shoes we wear in our pens stay on our farm and we have netted the majority of our pen tops to prevent wild birds from getting in, these along with quarantining new poultry and hand washing we are in hopes help make a difference on “any” disease being introduced to our flocks which is the reason I chose to write about this topic this week.
In many articles that allow a response I have viewed comments such as “why bother it’s getting in no matter what you do” and “my neighbors just let their chickens roam so why bother.” I don’t believe a monkey see monkey do approach is going to beneficial to anyone and if even a percentage of folks in Maine take precautions with their flocks then the odds of an outbreak have to improve in our favor!
NPIP (NATIONAL POULTRY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM)
NPIP is something I receive questions on weekly, like anything that’s new to folks it can be confusing a bit so I will offer a brief explanation that hopefully will alleviate some of the misconceptions around it.
The National Poultry Improvement Plan was established in the early 1930’s to provide a cooperative industry, state, and federal program through which new diagnostic technology can be effectively applied to the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country.
(http://www.poultryimprovement.org/default.cfm)
We at 4D’s Farm participate in the NPIP program, we take great pleasure in being able to tell folks our flocks have been tested and they were deemed Pullorum and Typhoid free. Also by carrying the NPIP Certification it lets us know we are doing something right since the testers take an overview of our flocks to be sure there isn’t any visible illness and that the birds are kept in acceptable conditions, I know when I purchase birds these are important things to me and I enjoy being able to offer that same information to folks that buy chicks from us.
Though I have heard a few state that they view NPIP as the Government looking in I view it as my opportunity to shine and if the Government is able to use the information from testing my birds to keep Maine a disease free state then that’s just a BONUS in my opinion.
Which came first the chicken or the egg?
Which came first really does not matter to me but what does matter is the chickens that are here be looked after from severe diseases so they can continue to supply breakfast, table fair and sheer enjoyment. A little care goes a long way when it comes to fowl and afforded the chance they will thrive on a hundred acre farm or a quarter acre back yard whichever the case may be.
As always you can message me here or join us on Facebook at the “Maine Poultry Connection.”
Remember if your neighbors rooster lays an egg in your yard it’s very likely you will both be rich!
