“Chick Days” are here!
Some "eggspert" tips for being prepared: 
Anyone who’s been to the grocery store lately has noticed a drastic increase in the price of eggs. This, largely due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, has prompted many to raise their own chickens for eggs. Farm stands boasting farm fresh eggs are also on the rise (be sure to check for state and federal regulations when selling eggs).
Also, this time of year, 4H and FFA youth are getting ready to raise birds for exhibitions at fairs. Chicks are already being shipped across the United States for the much awaited “Chick Days” at local feed stores, and some for Easter celebrations. Since the future is difficult to predict, we are not recommending cancelling bird shows at fairs right now. It will depend on HPAI detections in Washington state as the season approaches. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, here are some helpful tools to get your chicks off to a great start:
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Purchase chicks from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) flocks if possible. A list of approved participants, by state, are listed here: NPIP | NPIP Participants States.
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Many of Washington’s feed stores purchase from NPIP approved hatcheries. If you are not sure, ask! The NPIP status is typically listed on the invoice that comes with the chicks.
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Regardless of place of purchase, but especially from another backyard flock, isolate the chicks from other poultry for at least 30 days. This will help avoid accidental exposure of your flock to disease.
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If you are a new flock owner, make sure you know how to appropriately raise chicks. Ask your veterinarian or feed store for details. You can also do your own research online. One example for helpful chick raising tips can be found at: Raising Baby Chicks 101: The Best Beginner's Guide Homestead and Chill.
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Biosecurity remains the best practice for keeping your flock free from disease. USDA’s “Defend the Flock” website has multiple resources and videos to help you along the way: Defend the Flock. Additionally, the WSDA Avian Health Program may be able to answer some of your biosecurity questions. You can email us at AVHealth@agr.wa.gov.
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Be sure to have a dedicated set of clothing and footwear when caring for your flock and limit visitors to the coop or poultry areas.
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With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continuing to threaten both domestic and commercial flocks, know the signs of illness in poultry. Keep domestic waterfowl and chickens separate. Cover your coop runs, and limit contact with wild waterfowl and places they visit; like ponds, areas of standing water, and irrigation canals.
For more information, visit the WSDA Avian Health website: Bird Flu | Washington State Department of Agriculture. Also, if you notice a lot of your birds getting sick or dying, please call our Sick Bird Hotline at: 1-800-606-3056, or use the online reporting tool, https://arcg.is/05KT8S.
Raising chicks can be rewarding and fun! By applying these tips, your birds will thank you later….with eggs! And, maybe, that champion show ribbon!
