Can you test birds for mycoplasma when they are asymptomatic?

[bamoram]

I have two healthy (looking) hens left out of six chicks I purchased last spring. The first bird I sent for a necropsy came back positive for M.S. (PCR). The last bird I sent in for testing in December, with similar symptoms was negative for M.S. I want to see if the two girls I have now are carriers for M.S. Is it possible to test birds to see if they are carriers if they aren't currently ill? I want to add more birds to my flock, but I won't if my girls are carriers.

Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

It's assumed that all exposed birds will be carriers, symptomatic or not.
Check with your state veterinary lab for testing information; talk to one of the poultry vets at the state vet school/ path lab about it. Here in Michigan, it's Michigan State University.
Good luck,
Mary