Well the hatching season is here again, and we have gotten our first Chukar, Ring necks and Goldens brooding right now. Also have a surplus of fertile Ringneck eggs. Available local pickup only.
As of Aug.15, Northwest Airlines, discontinued shipping live birds, whether they were chicks or larger birds. Northwest was the largest carrier of birds in the country according to the Capital Press, a Northwest agricultural newspaper dated Aug. 10.
At this time there are only three smaller airlines carrying live birds. They are: Continental, Delta, and US Airways. These three airlines most likely only serve larger airports thus making it very difficult, if not impossible, to get birds from other areas to compliment breeding programs in rural areas. These three airlines are apt to be swamped with poultry orders and discontinue service too!
It is my feeling that one should write, either snail mail or e-mail, their congressman and let him know how you feel about this issue.
This is one issue every pheasant and wildlife person, as well as poultry raisers in general, should get behind and demand that the service be restored!! If we don't we will be unable to upgrade our respective flocks.
Those of you that are reading this for the first time, you might not really realize the famifications of this situation. Sooner or later, our poultry flocks, pheasant and gamebird flocks will suffer because we will be stifled to bring in new bloodlines which at some point in time will lead to inbred stock and the decimation of the poultry industry.
Consider this: McMurray McMurray, which is one of the largest hatcheries in this country, ships upwards of 1.5 million birds, says the average size of shipment of birds is 40 birds, according to the CP article. So, the small guy that wants a few birds from them , as well as other hatcheries, is out of luck so to speak, unless of course you live within driving distance of their operation.
Now then, to add insult to injury, FedEx has said they will discontinue shipment of live birds as of Aug. 15, also. FedEx took over the shipment of live birds when Emery discontinued shipping them.
So, the time has come to gather together and let our congressmen and senators know that we are not going to take this sitting down. For to kill the poulry industry in this country is not to be condoned! These acts of greed on the part of the respective parties is not to be accepted by those of us that raise birds.
Whether we raise thousands of birds or just a few in backyard operations we cannot let this happen! I urge you to sit down and take a few moments to put your thoughts down on paper, or your computer, and drop your congressional people how you feel about this.
