Why Not Wyandotte and Flock

02/06/2025

Elizabeth is killing it with the great advice as always! She’s the best! Definitely read this to keep yourself safe!

Know your red flags! 🚩🚩

"_____'s Backyard Flock"- SCAM.
"______'s Poultry Farm"- SCAM.
"Yes, I have young hens about to lay and they are cheap"- SCAM.
"I can ship hens ready to lay for $30"- SCAM.
"YES. I have all the breed you want"- SCAM.

Any of the above are red flags and need further investigation before you hand out money.

Further explanation...

"Poultry" "chicken" and "farm" are often searched terms by buyers wanting chickens and scammers love to use them in page titles. The terms are click bait.

"Young hens ready to lay right now" require being hatched back in September/October. Most mature breeding flocks are in molt and not laying eggs at that time. If they are laying, eqq quality is typically poor in the fall as the hens get ready to shut down production for the winter. The shells are often thin and too porous to hatch well. Few hens can be produced that would be at at point-of-lay now. Hens are also not cheap to raise to point of lay (chick supplies+feed+bedding+grit/oyster shell+supplies+infastructure+time invested+cost of the female chick or hatching and raising or disposing of the males).

No one can ship a full grown bird for less than $100. The last quote I gave someone for shipping a single bird was $120 for shipping it two states over. If anyone claims they can send you multiple for less than a few hundred, it's a scam.
By law, the producer is required to be NPIP certified to ship live birds across state lines. If they are claiming they can ship to you, ask for their farm's NPIP number to verify. The NPIP database is public. (We are flock NC 55-1701 by the way).

Be wary of anyone selling many breeds. Breeding takes up a lot of space and infastructure. To breed well, a good breeder has to maintain multiple pens of the same breed. The more breeds, the more pens, and a single breeder can only maintain so many and keep quality high, especially if they are a newly established farm. (This is the reason we only breed Wyandottes and Sebastopols. We keep 6+ pens of each). If they have every breed on your wish list and they aren't a commercial hatchery, that's not typical. Investigate them further before handing money over.

If you're an experienced keeper and have more ways of identifying scammers, feel free to add them to the comments.

Safe shopping,

Elizabeth

01/29/2025

Avian Influenza Update

Hey ! Avian Influenza AKA H5N1 (aka AI). It’s all over the news and fears in our heads…so what can we do to protect our flocks? And other facts to know!

First up, this needs to be stated, this post is apolitical and purely based on science. AI isn’t new and the world has been fighting it for a long time, even our own state of NC can’t go a year without a case. Also excuse any lack of brevity, misspellings or grammatical errors as I wrote this quickly on vacation 🙈

Sections include quick facts, symptoms, prevention, biosecurity, quarantine, “should I be scared”, and sources.

Quick facts;
•AI can infect all ages of Chickens, Turkeys, Pheasants, Guinea Fowl, Pea Fowl, Swans, Quail, Ducks, Geese, Chukar, Grouse, Partridge, and more. In waterfowl it is often asymptomatic.
•There is no cure, almost every animal infected will inevitably die from AI.
•AI is highly contagious, and a very unpleasant way to die with some animals suffering for a long time.
•Antibiotics do nothing to treat or prevent AI.
•Yes wild birds spread AI but not like you think, you, the human who can travel, is how it spreads.
•Prevention is key, and most who do prevention do it wrong (unintentionally).
•If ANY bird on your property tests positive for AI, the state WILL euthanize EVERY bird. You are no allowed to prevent the euthanasia or hide any birds from them.
•NC state Rollins Lab tests deceased birds for AI for free, call them to see how they want you to store and transport the body.
•Many AI symptoms overlap with other respiratory diseases (and most also have no cure and are highly infectious), so extreme caution must be taken until AI is ruled out.
•NPIP in NC only tests for AI every 6 months (unless other species on property require more frequent testing). Meaning that just because someone is NPIP, doesn’t mean they are still AI clean, a lot can happen in 6 months and AI spreads fast. Caution must be taken with ALL new birds.
•flocks within a certain distance of a confirmed infected farm/facility will be tested for HPAI to confirm spread or lack thereof. Euthanasia will only happen to on site birds of confirmed AI.
•NPIP will fully reimburse members for the loss of birds and equipment/supplies in the event of any confirmed AI (HPAI & LPAI).
•Wild birds only transmit the low pathogenic form of bird flu (LPAI) that causes no or mild symptoms. The “low path” version has to mutate in order to become “high path” which is deadly to (backyard flocks).
•Humans are the NUNBER ONE reason for AI spreading and have been for decades.
•stress weakens immune systems and makes birds more susceptible to the virus, this is why mass production facilities are the most common places for AI.

Symptoms of AI include but not limited to; Sudden death, gasping, extreme diarrhea, paralyzed wings, unable to stand, twisted necks, swollen head/eye/neck, purple legs/head, lethargy, no appetite, soft shelled eggs, quiet, drastic egg reduction, sneezing, wheezing, nasal discharge, lack of coordination, ruffled feathers, etc.

Prevention;
-The BIGGEST way to prevent AI is PROPER bio security. More on this later.
Prevention includes but is not limited to; Avoid attracting wild birds, keep a total closed flock (no in or out), limit visitors to poultry, avoid auctions, do frequent health checks (can be as simple as sitting for 15min a week to listen and look for symptoms), disinfect enclosures, keep a poultry vet number handy at all times, do not free range poultry, quarantine all new poultry etc.

So what is proper bio security?
-dedicated “animal” clothing (shoes especially). Or use of disposable clothing covers or disinfectant
-limited visitors
-clean and SANITIZE food and water equipment frequently
-keep all feed out of reach for wild animals to eat from
-wash/sanitize hands before and after veterinary poultry area, and between enclosures.
-remove dead animals immediately
-proper quarantine procedures
-do not share equipment of any types with anybody
-closed flock of possible
-avoid actions, swaps, and other off premises mixing on different sourced birds

So what is proper quarantine procedures?
This is a multi faceted approach, but mainly it can be done with the following. -Dedicated “quarantine supplies” (for example I color mine red and store them separately).
-Keeping a minimum of 100ft distance between the quarantine area and ANY animal or people (kids will often forget biosecurity)
-take care of quarantine animals as little as possible and always LAST after any other poultry.
-FOUR weeks are needed to ensure any virus or bacteria that could show up, would have the full incubation window (and some days for extra)
-FULL disinfection after caring for quarantine birds, even if they are asymptomatic or come from clean flocks.
-THOROUGH disinfection of entire quarantine enclosure after quarantine period has ended.
-quarantine any new animals, even if it’s not a bird.
More can be done of course but this is the basic!

Should I be scared?
Short answer, no, at least not yet.
Long answer as follows. As of 1/28/25, there are 2 counties in NC with HPAI, Hoke and Sampson counties. Both in commercial facilities and total at 3,316,750 birds to euthanize. NC went 279 days with no AI until 1/7/25. With that said, there is not enough (yet) cases to warrant a state alert, but that could change tomorrow unfortunately….

However now with 2 cases, all NPIP testers are on high alert and busier than ever. Contacting them may take longer than usual. Labs are running tests around the clock so poultry necropsies and results may take longer than usual.

I am checking in almost DAILY on reports and contacting connections for updates on current NC AI cases. Especially since I run 2 flock swaps, my own very much loved birds are at risk. Extreme caution is needed for anyone and when in doubt, close your flock. I’ve had to cull and restart my whole flock due to MS…it sucks…trust me… so let’s prevent us and our friends from having to go through that experience. Elizabeth Mills of Watercolor Creek Farm in Linden is a wonderful resource for biosecurity, quarantine, and other related information. I will post on my main group -JoCo chickens, my farm page (this one) -Why Not Wyandotte and Flock, my flock swap page -Garner & Selma Flock Swap + Farmers Market, and to my personal account the moment a serious threat or shutdown happens.

Public Sources used;
University of Minnesota Ag. Ext. “Avian influenza basics for urban and backyard poultry owners”.
USDA Q&A “Protecting Birds from Avian Influenza in the United States”.
University of Sydney “Bird Flu: Must-Knows For Backyard Chicken Keepers (And Breeders)”.
AVMA “Avian influenza in pets and backyard flocks”.
NC Dept. of Ag. “Veterinary - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)” and “Domestic Bird Cases of HPAI in NC (since 2022).

Other local sources for my info who wish to remain anonymous due to sharing information not publicly disclosed when I was told.

2 NPIP testers
CFPA leader
NC Veterinary Pathology employee
Poultry breeders with decades of experience through AI
APA lifetime achievement member

I hope this answered questions! If not please comment what is unanswered and I’ll update this!

Shout out to Katie Ann Solomon for asking a very valid question and making me finally post this

01/25/2025

Attention poultry farmers! Here are some common signs and symptoms of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI) to monitor your birds.

Avian influenza is a disease caused by avian influenza A virus. So far this year, we have only had one case of HPAI in the state, but it is important for farmers to keep an eye on their birds to ensure health and safety of the flock.

For more information on HPAI, see our website: www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary.

01/22/2025

All animals are doing well!

Goats and dogs have no idea what snow is🤣

01/20/2025

Preventive Measures In Poultry Farming🐓

✅Vaccination - plays an important part in the health management of the poultry flock. There are numerous diseases that are prevented by vaccinating the birds against them. A vaccine helps to prevent a particular disease by triggering or boosting the bird’s immune system to produce antibodies that in turn fight the invading causal organisms.

✅Indentifying and Treating Sick Bird - Many things contribute to ill health in birds. Improper diets are one of the most common causes of sickness in pet birds. Trauma, toxicities, poor upkeep, inferior hygiene, stress, bacterial and viral infections, and genetic abnormalities may lead to ill health as well. Just because the bird's outward appearance is normal does not mean the bird is healthy. Any deviation from normal should be taken as a sign of ill health and you should contact your veterinarian immediately. The following lists provide general symptoms of a sick bird:

Poor physical appearance (feathers look ruffled or unkempt)
1. changes in vocalization
2. fluffed feathers (looks fatter)
3. not eating, changes in eating habits, or reduced appetite
4. changes in amount of drinking
5. weakness
6. drooping wings
7. distended abdomen
8. listlessness, inactivity, depression
9. reluctance to move
10. sleeping more
11. trauma or bleeding
12. dramatic changes in weight (increased or decreased)

✅Practicing Biosecurity - Biosecurity is the prevention of disease causing agents entering or leaving any place where they can pose a risk to farm animals, other animals, humans, or the safety and quality of a food product.

Good biosecurity should be practised at all times, not just during a disease outbreak. Taking the right measures in the early stages of an outbreak e.g. before we know disease is in the country, can help prevent or reduce its spread.

✅Parasite Control - is a critical element of poultry health management, encompassing both internal and external threats to the flock's well-being. Internal parasites, such as worms, can cause a range of issues, including weight loss and decreased egg production. Regular deworming protocols are implemented to prevent these complications, ensuring the chickens remain healthy and productive. External parasites, such as mites and lice, can lead to skin irritation and feather loss, impacting the overall welfare of the flock.

Proactive measures in parasite control involve routine examinations and targeted treatments, minimizing the risk of infestations. The frequency of these interventions may vary based on factors like environmental conditions and the specific challenges faced by the poultry farm. By adopting a comprehensive approach to parasite control, poultry farmers can maintain a healthy and thriving flock, reducing the economic impact of parasitic infections and ensuring the overall success of their operation.

✅Separating Multi-Age Flock - As soon as new birds arrive, keep them separate from the rest of the flock. This allows you to monitor the birds closely and prevent any possible illness from spreading to either group.

New birds have often traveled a fair amount and been near other birds – and your existing flock may have built immunity to germs in your area. Keep new birds in a separate room or coop for 30 days and monitor them to make sure they are free of disease and to acclimate them to your backyard.

During this period, work with the existing flock first and wash your hands between groups to prevent any cross-contamination.

A similar quarantine plan is recommended for new chicks, as older hens can transmit disease to chicks and pullets. For chicks, though, the separation should last for 18 weeks to help the birds reach mature size and transition onto a layer feed before meeting other members of the flock.

Follow us on our page for more:
https://m.facebook.com/108689304294230

01/16/2025

Eek! W**d 'em & Reap has been an inspiration for us for years.

I had googled the gestation time to answer someone’s question. When I saw the results and saw their Luna, I knew I had to share with them how Google AI has her be the chosen image of a pregnant Nubian doe! And you can still see my logo🫶

Yall this farm is a great resource into how to urban homestead, even in the southeast like us!

10/27/2024

All farmers can relate.... lol

10/19/2024

As someone who breeds and TRAINS therapy chickens, unless it’s EXPLICITLY stated as an TRAINED emotional support pet, it’s not one.

10/06/2024

Due to unforeseen events, and until further notice, we will no longer be offering any animals, hatching eggs, babies, or farm goods.

I will still be hosting my MONTHLY Selma Farmers Market and Flock Swap, Santa photos at Pets of Tractor Supply Garner NC in November and December, and 101 classes on chickens, goats, ducks, and more starting back up in January.

All animals have been, or in the process of, rehomed to friends and fellow breeders. So please do not message me asking about prices.

08/16/2024

‼️STOLEN‼️
Turtles may possibly be rehomed on groups like this one. Please be on the lookout. My friend has had these for nearly 2 decades and the kids have grown up with them.

-Texas Map Turtle
Male, 2in long tail, around 20 years old
6in long from shell tip to shell tip
2 notches from a bite to the tail years ago

-Southern Painted Turtle
Female, short tail, around 20 yrs old
7in long from shell tip to shell tip
Notch on her right side of facing away from you.

Missing since 11pm on 8/14 in backyard pool.
Southeast Raleigh.

Please spread the word, I also shared this publicly on my personal page for you to share. These turtles are very loved and missed.

08/06/2024

Due to Hurricane Debby (that hopefully will be downgraded a lot by the time she hits) the Garner Flock Swap & Farmers Market is tentatively still scheduled but follow the tagged event page for the most up to date info!

We will cancel in the event of severe weather, otherwise the swap and market is still rain or shine.

Be safe the next few days!
-J and S

07/24/2024

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