Oh My God, The Government Wants to Kill My Chickens (MS)

I am absolutely sick right now.

I had a necropsy done on a bird (she died of EYP), but she also tested positive for MS.

I have FIVE CHICKENS.

My coop is apparently 5 miles from a Pilgrim's broiler house.

The state vet called me. My flock has created an uproar with their MS.

He has told me to be prepared for a forced culling. I just bought a house further away and was about to move my chickens to their new home. I explained that they're just pets. I have a closed flock.

He told me they will pay me for my losses.

I don't want money. I want my chickens. Is this really something they can FORCE me to do??

Oh yes they can because it would cast more to get a lawyer and
fight it and you would most likely not win in the end
Please keep this one up dated ......


gander007

EggDropSoup said:

I am absolutely sick right now.

I had a necropsy done on a bird (she died of EYP), but she also tested positive for MS.

I have FIVE CHICKENS.

My coop is apparently 5 miles from a Pilgrim's broiler house.

The state vet called me. My flock has created an uproar with their MS.

He has told me to be prepared for a forced culling. I just bought a house further away and was about to move my chickens to their new home. I explained that they're just pets. I have a closed flock.

He told me they will pay me for my losses.

I don't want money. I want my chickens. Is this really something they can FORCE me to do??

Click to expand...

Yes, they can force you to do this. It's horrible. In states that cull for this, it usually doesn't matter if you are five or fifty or five hundred miles from the nearest commercial plant. You will really need to thoroughly clean the housing and run area if they cull your flock, and it is probably a good idea to let it set vacant for several weeks before putting any chickens in it.

This is from the UFLAS

~~Mycoplasma synoviae Synonyms: MS, infectious synovitis, synovitis, silent air sac Species affected: chickens and turkeys. Clinical signs: Birds infected with the synovitis form show lameness, followed by lethargy, reluctance to move, swollen joints, stilted gait, loss of weight, and formation of breast blisters. Birds infected with the respiratory form exhibit respiratory distress. Greenish diarrhea is common in dying birds (see Table 1). Clinically, the disease in indistinguishable from MG. Transmission: MS is transmitted from infected breeder to progeny via the egg. Within a flock, MS is spread by direct contact with infected birds as well as through airborne particles over short distances. Treatment: Recovery is slow for both respiratory and synovitis forms. Several antibiotics are variably effective. The most effective are tylosin, erthromycin, spectinomycin, lincomycin, and chlorotectracycline. These antibiotics can be given by injection while some can be administered in the feed or drinking water. These treatments are most effective when the antibiotics are injected. Prevention: Eradication is the best and only sure control. Do not use breeder replacements from flocks that have had MS. The National Poultry Improvement Plan monitors for MS.

Posting here so I can read any updates...sorry I don't know the answer to your question.

And yeah, it's awful.

EggDropSoup said:

I am absolutely sick right now.

I had a necropsy done on a bird (she died of EYP), but she also tested positive for MS.

I have FIVE CHICKENS.

My coop is apparently 5 miles from a Pilgrim's broiler house.

The state vet called me. My flock has created an uproar with their MS.

He has told me to be prepared for a forced culling. I just bought a house further away and was about to move my chickens to their new home. I explained that they're just pets. I have a closed flock.

He told me they will pay me for my losses.

I don't want money. I want my chickens. Is this really something they can FORCE me to do??

Click to expand...

I'm sorry that you're going through this. However, it would be in your best interest to have your birds culled. They will always have MS and will transmit it to new incoming birds that you acquire. There are no cures for mycoplasma diseases in chickens, treatments mask symptoms temporarily. I wish you the best.

This is a nightmare and i am so very sorry you have to go through this. This is one reason i personally would never,ever have a necropsy done on any of my birds,to great a risk of this happening.

Have they tested the Pilgrim's broiler operation as they may have it also,perhaps your girl contracted it from them. I would suggest you ask these questions and demand the birds from this other operation get tested also. Do you have the lab results stating for a fact your bird had MS,i am surprised none of your other girls show symptoms. Why has your flock created an uproar,has someone told this other operation? I personally would demand to know if any other flocks within your area have been tested,i would think you should be entitled to this information. Before they do a forced culling,make sure you get your other girls tested,they can pay for it.

Check the laws where you live,see if there is a loophole that you can use to your advantage. I am surprised that state culling doesn't exist for birds with Marek's as it to,is easily transmitted. MS is a old disease,it has been reported in books dating back 100 years,referred to as the common cold,and is treated with Tylan and Baytril.

There are certain diseases that vets MUST report. MS is probably one of those diseases. The chicken farm down the road has nothing to do with your chickens. Testing the other hens won't help anything.

enola said:

There are certain diseases that vets MUST report. MS is probably one of those diseases. The chicken farm down the road has nothing to do with your chickens. Testing the other hens won't help anything.

Click to expand...

Unless the chickens down the road have it also,that puts a different perspective on this issue. I would want to know this information as her birds contracted it from somewhere.

I always look for loopholes that i can use to my advantage,love nothing better than to research legal documents and challenge what i can.

The reason i was asking about testing your girls is the one with EYP,MS may been activated in her due to this,often stressors or some other issue will activate certain diseases and your other girls may be fine.

Do your research and find out if it's a reportable disease in your State and what the laws are. California does not cull flocks with MS and MG.

-Kathy