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Coppe is an Olde English word meaning spider. Coppeweb was corrupted into cobweb. Duck people aren't expected to know about Old English so feel free to forget this if you like. Tom

I would check the NPIP site for a diagnostic lab near you. Call them and describe your problem. My guess is they suggest swabbing all the birds for testing. The results will tell you what they have...

At least one breeder is an immune carrier. A taxidermist is a good place for it/them. Testing for carriers or replacing all the breeders is probably the only way to stop the problem. good luck, Tom

If the Pekin duck has Bumblefoot the kernal of granulated puss will need to be cut out. Wash the foot and cut across the lump on the sole with a sharp utility knife. The kernal may pop out cleanly...

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If your concern is for sexing look at the eye color. A male's eyes start to turn pale at about 9 weeks. Tom

AI was used by commercial turkey breeders before the broad-breasted strains took over. I would not surprise me to hear that AI is used on commercial heritage breeds. Just because they can breed...

Feather shaft mites. Ivermectin only kills critters that feed on blood. Tom

All I have is second hand information. There is a small scale poultry slaughter facility near me that had a market for petite poussin. They dressed cornish crosses at I believe 2- 1/2 weeks. They...

I would fear the hatchery cockerals would make as good a heritage broiler as they would make exhibition birds. Tom

Eggs should be your first concern. Your parent stock must lay a steady supply of eggs cost effectively. The reason for the change to cross-bred broilers was the ability to use a high production...

I doubt a mink or weasel could pass up the chance to kill the hen. That would have been more fun than stealing the chicks. Rats will take eggs or chicks out from under a hen without upsetting her....

Today's vote made 41. I checked out some of the competition and there are some in the 50s and one at 60. Can't we do better than this? Tom

It's posible. Do a search on "mosaics" Tom

Sorry I couldn't make it. It's nice to be missed. Tom

Fast molters generally are better layers than slow molters. Tom

Anybody try a sewage pump with a grinder. They worked well during hurricane flooding where a lot of debris ended up floating in crawl spaces. Tom

My CA friends talk about going to Cherry Auction to swap birds. One often takes 20 wk. old red commercial layers[production reds or gold comets?]. Tom

I was told that they are genetically blues on the very dark end of the blue color shade spectrum. Anyone else ever hear that? A test mating to a splash should tell the story. Tom

My guess is that the stall cleaner is a kid who scared the ducks away catching the duckling. Tom