Java. the end.

[Javamama]

...I have to go look up A.I. because I'm not properly caffeinated yet...So we could just have them NPIP tested? I wasn't sure if that was the reason because our fair entry literature said that ducks did not need to be NPIP tested but must have hatchery papers. They certainly do not make anything easy to understand

OK, another talking point - why should it matter if the ducklings come from NPIP hatcheries since most folks just add them into their existing flocks and there is not testing done on the whole home flock? Makes no sense to me, but if someone was to raise the issue then everyone may become subject to flock testing and I would become the most hated person in 4-H.


edit: Duh, Avian Influenza

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I am sorry, I don't have those answers.

I only know that because my flock is NPIP tested and A.I. monitored, my kids didn't have to have their chickens or ducks re-tested. They only asked for my NPIP number, no hatchery forms. The other parents I sold ducklings to had to have my NPIP number and a paper proving they purchased their ducklings from me. They only found out they needed papers because they first bought ducklings from TSC - but their purchase receipt from TSC didn't count.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

So I guess for next year we will have to purchase our ducks in the middle of winter to get them grown out. There is no option for hatching and raising your own - they want certified hatchery papers in order to qualify for entry. Seems to me that kinda defeats the whole purpose of 4-H

are you caffeinated yet!

i'm having a goat-puccino!

well sorry about the fair but is still great that you/kids participated. my hubby still talks about how he showed rabbits...and that was like a million years ago
;-)

i'll give your ducks a blue ribbon!

onward and upward!

 

[Javamama]

OFG - I showed rabbits too! Dutch, to be precise. I tried market rabbits one year but a wild animal ate their feet off through the bottom of the cage and severely traumatized me so that didn't work out for the rest of my 4-H career.

I am not caffeinated yet. It's steeping in the press at this very moment. I am dealing with totzilla this week - AKA my 3 year old with a sporadic bad attitude. Just so happens she is choosing this week to not sleep, act up and make us all miserable. She can be so sweet sometimes and then BLAMMO!
You know the rhyme "there was a little girl who had a little curl..." yeah, that's her. Fun times

Aly, thanks for the info. I'm going to ask a few questions at the extension office - we have an insider connection now...
This is a funny small world story - we ran into a guy that we went to high school with. He works for the extension office AND he's married to our 4-H advisor's daughter. He and DH had one of those "hey, I know you" moments We are all going to get together sometime. Woohooo to making new/old friends!

OFG, I feel like I need to find a cape every time I see "onward and upward" Some kind of farm superhero outfit...

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Some kind of farm superhero outfit...

that would be overalls and a pitchfork!

 

[Blackbird]

I had to do that too; purchase chicks in February in hopes that they would mature enough by fair time. It's a big pain in the you-know-where. I decided, never again for the poultry, too much work for a silly ribbon.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

Some kind of farm superhero outfit...

that would be overalls and a pitchfork!

aint that right! i was just thinking the same thing!!!! whooot!

 

[emilosevich]

I am sorry, I don't have those answers.

I only know that because my flock is NPIP tested and A.I. monitored, my kids didn't have to have their chickens or ducks re-tested. They only asked for my NPIP number, no hatchery forms. The other parents I sold ducklings to had to have my NPIP number and a paper proving they purchased their ducklings from me. They only found out they needed papers because they first bought ducklings from TSC - but their purchase receipt from TSC didn't count.

Aly, do you have the state vet out then to do swabs? Just wondering how this works in Ohio. I have thought about becoming NPIP certified, but always moving chickens in and out invalidates it. Besides I have my pollorum testing license so not much use for NPIP papers. I just test as I need it.
I have not heard of ducks actually needing to have NPIP papers unless that is just something that is required for your county. We don't have to have them for our fair. I take ducks from my home flock there every year without a test. Our turkeys do require a test though. I guess they consider the ducks ok.

 

[Javamama]

It seems like the counties all have different rules. For ours, the kids all take their chickens to the ag center on a set day to be tested, and then get checked over by a vet upon entry to the fair. Actually, the vet visually inspects all animals which is good.

 

[Javamama]

Finally have ripe tomatoes I had to go retro and have a BLT on white yesterday I made one change that made it the best BLT I have ever had. Ever. There's a cheese spread that I make that is so simple but oh so good - shredded jarlesburg mixed with mayo and diced onion. I think jarlesburg is the best, but fontina or anything similar would work. It's soo good. Put that on the BLT and it was heavenly. DH agreed. I think I'm going to have one for breakfast in a minute. Maybe I'll put eggs on it.

Unfortunately, the tomatoes are losing the battle against early blight and there isn't going to be alot to can this year. Unless our wet, humid weather improves drastically and soon. We got 3-4 inches of rain last week. I have been avoiding going out to the tomato patch because it's so disheartening. This is the worst I have fought with.
They are dropping blossoms right now because of the heat. I'm hoping a few plants squeak through and put out an early fall crop.
Every year I say I will never buy romas again because they do not perform for me. And every year I plant romas. They were the first to go this year. I hate them.