Well,

I got the final report back from UC Davis.  Basically, it was inconclusive.  They did test negative for Avian influenza and E. Coli.  But they could not positively  tell me what was (is) wrong for sure.  I’m gonna try to talk to a Vet about the report.  I’m still on the case. The chickens seem to be just fine, but I fear that I’m not out of this mess quite yet.  Stay tuned for up to the minute news.

I’m not gonna lie to you  people.  The old bird man has shed a few tears this month over my beloved flock.  I have had a sickness go around and had to have quarantine some birds. Those birds had to go to UC Davis for a necropsy.  That means those chickens had to die to see exactly which sickness has been killing my chooks.  If that wasn’t bad enough, I’ve had to take the hatchet to the stump on some, if you know what I mean.  I have lost a total of 9 cheekies- Little Elvis, Chicken of the Sea, Quasimoto, Gin, Chickpea,2  as- yet- to- be- named Blue Andalusians, Flamingo and a Buff Orpington.  Another Buff Orpington became Fox food.  Total of 10 birds.  9/10 died before they could lay thier first egg.  The report said that Gin had a few eggs at different stages in her ovaries.

My favorite out of that bunch was Chicken of the Sea.  She came to work with me for a coupe weeks and slept in my house.  My kind of quarantine is much more kind than some. She was a great chicken that was sweet as can be, but that damned sickness got to her before I could find out how to cure it.

I’m still waiting for the conclusive report back from UC Davis, until then I just have to keep an extra, extra careful eye on my girls.

Chicken of the Sea joining us for breakfast

 

oh boy….

Every once in a while I voyage out of the small town and into the big city.  I am teaching a FREE workshop on raising chickens in the big city. I know, I know your’re thinking, “what the hell does Nick know about raising chickens in an urban enviroment?” Well, you may have a point. I bet I know more about it than the people that will attend the event.  After all, I know all the city regulations and how to raise chickens.  What else do I need to know?

It’s been a tough week or so for Nick-san. I have lost 4 chickens to sickness and one to a fox. Things seem to be getting back to normal, especially since the weather has dried up quite a bit.  It’s never fun to get out the old hatchet. I have noticed that it keeps getting harder and harder to have to put my beloved chooks on the stump. It’s all part of being a chicken farmer I guess.

Anyway, here’s the info for the SF Workshop:

Yes We Can (and Pickle!): Bringing Food Justice Home
Wednesday, October 28th, 7-9:00 pm
Sha’ar Zahav – 16th St & Dolores St, San Francisco 94110

Oct 24 (sat) 1-5.  Awesome harvest party at the SGP.  There will be live music, games for adults and kids, great food and tons of fun. Hope you can join us. I may even give an impromptu chicken workshop.

This is what I’m talking about people!  Free range them chickens!Ninja having a moment alone (chicken in center of photo, just before tree).

Do not buy chickens from the self proclaimed “chicken queen” currently in Cotati, Ca. Unless you want sick or dead chickens.

This is Ravi. She has been super broody over the last few months. When I take her out of the hen house so she can get some food and excersize, she lays back down for a few minutes as if she’s still sitting on some eggs.

Still life with Elvis