About Me

We and our two preschoolers live on a 4.6 acre homestead in Troy, NH. We also have three grown kids that live outside our home (one an Iraq vet in the Army & one a Marine going to Iraq in Jan 2009). Along with our dog, cat, and a few other little housecritters, we raise Silkie, Dominiques, & Chantecler chickens, Narragansett turkeys, and Silver Fox Rabbits for preservation, show and meat/eggs. We also have 3 sheep (Icelandics) and soon to add Border Leicester sheep to raise as a fiber flock. Lily's interests also include wildflower gardening, heirloom vegetables & fruit trees, wildlife rehabilitation and hunting/fishing. Ron's interests also include blacksmithing, Morris Dancing, longsword fighting, and hunting.

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Entry 28 of 28
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Othala Acres News
Monday, March 28, 2005
Important News for Massachusetts and Surrounding Area Poultry Enthusiats!

Posted in Action Alerts

Two proposals have been submitted to the Department of Agricultural Resources that will greatly impact all poultry owners in Massachusetts and surrounding areas. One is "Poultry Keeping Guidelines" and the second is new Poultry Testing Fees. The fees proposed will be for any and all poultry that is transported off your property for all resons other than immediate slaughter. The testing would be for A.I. and Pullorum and required within 90 days of any transport. These fees would be very high for the average hobbyist and poultry keeper, especially for those who attend shows.

These are new "bandaids" proposed in kneejerk response to Avian Influenza concerns. These proposals are being backed by big commercial poultry businesses to their advantage and the rest of our expense. Avian Influenza has been discovered in commercial flocks and is found in wild bird populations, NOT in backyard flocks! So regulations like this will be ineffective for halting spread of any possible future outbreaks, and will only serve to further errode our heritage and hobby. Once again, as in other types of "feel good" legislation, it will only hurt and punish the average law abiding citizen and totally miss the true problem.

If you aren't in Massachusetts and don't think this will affect you, remember that laws imposed in one state are closely followed and many times adopted by other states. It was mentioned that other states are considering similar regulations. This issue concerns ALL poultry owners and enthusiasts in the U.S., from 4H and pet owners to folks selling eggs to bigger breeders.

For more information, to read the proposals and to find out who to contact to voice your concerns over this important matter, please visit the NEBC website at http://www.newenglandbantamclub.homestead.com/

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