The Poultry Keeper

cookie88 · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 302 Location: ISLE OF LEWIS

just read in the papper today that thier not allowing deers to do thier usall christmas stuff in case the get blue tongue

debcat · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject:

suspected cases in peterborough and kent

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/10/17/107541/suspected-bluetongue-cases-in-kent-and-peterborough.html

debcat · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject:

now confirmed Sad

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7049122.stm

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6954 Location: isle of lewis

bronskibeat
does this effect your move

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1528 Location: Clawddnewydd

oooooohhhh yes! probably means that I am well and truly ******. only hope is that as I'm moving and selling farm, they will grant me an emergency license to move my flock. still, can always look on the bright side, at the rate the protection zone is expanding, the whole of the UK will soon be involved........... I had got 2 rams sold to wales and was taking them to oswestry on monday so the guy could collect them as he's from south wales. it now looks like they will be going to slaughter instead.

This bloody government needs to start and look at the chaos that has been caused through their incompetence. no way will they compensate us for this utter horlicks and so far I've lost thousands in not being able to sell my sheep. I now have the spectre of the abattoire for my entire flock.......

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6954 Location: isle of lewis

midges fly across lines so hopefully it will not be long before it moves again ,just thinking of best thing for you ,needles and syringes are now ordered here ,if it hits the lowlands it's going to move like wildfire though scotland ,hopefully next spring not before ,

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1528 Location: Clawddnewydd

I just want to say a huge thank-you to everyone on this forum for their messages of support. I have really been worried about my sheep and everyone elses livestock in the country who will be affected by this awful disease.
It makes my outlook much more positive to know that I can sound off on here amongst friends.

Thank-you all x

cookie88 · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 302 Location: ISLE OF LEWIS

Bluetongue control zone extended

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6954 Location: isle of lewis

any news bb,

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1528 Location: Clawddnewydd

No not yet Suz, I have a definite date to move, Nov 1st and sheep need to be off this place by middle to end November at the very latest. Will have to ring a friend in Wales who is on sharp end of quite a few of the meetings between Defra, NSA Welsh Assembly eyc and see what she has to say. Once I have a rough idea of what the situation is, will then tackle my animal health office.......... Not holding out much hope though as the animal health are usually as much use as a chocolate fireguard Rolling Eyes

Wish me luck, England lost the World cup so I'm owed a favour Laughing

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6954 Location: isle of lewis

i hope it goes ok for you Wink

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1528 Location: Clawddnewydd

Just had an email from someone on another forum, and at the huge risk of jinxing it Rolling Eyes

it appears that Wales will probably be included in the BT protection zone in the near future as there are thousands of sheep overwintered in England which will not now be able to go back home.....
Fingers crossed folks, Wales here we come Laughing

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6954 Location: isle of lewis

i was thinking the same thing ,didn't know how to say it though Wink

i really hope it's good news and you manage to save your flock

debcat · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject:

even defra can't stop midges flying - much as they might like to think they can Exclamation

and they do fly in less than 15C - at least up here they do
I really hope they extend the zone before your moving date so that you can move your sheep at the same time
it's something that we are going to have to live with and pray that we get vaccines for

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1528 Location: Clawddnewydd

Yeah I know, we as farmers or smallholders need to push for a vaccine for our stock. Apparently the cost of a single dose will be about 35p. A price I am more than willing to pay to help protect my stock. HMG in its infinite wisdom wont pay up front for the vaccine and the company who is making it (I think its Merial but dont quote me Laughing

) got badly stung over non payment of unusable vaccines once before so understandably are reluctant to proceed without being paid (when eventually given the go ahead by HMG!!). The biggest problem is that number of doses of vaccine required in the UK needs to be ordered before 31st October otherwise, no vaccine..................
The SVS has just been informed that they now have to sterilise needles between each blood test carried out on stock being tested for bluetongue virus. I'M SORRY, have they only just worked this out??????? Shocked

The virus is carried in blood droplets from infected animal regurgitated via vector midge into clean animal.......... So, blood contained in a needle or syringe from an infected animal being used on a clean animal has not been passing this terrible virus on??? Exactly HOW long do they study to be vets??????? Twisted Evil

Makes me want to cry with the lunacy of it all Crying or Very sad