Accepting what might be and pushing forward.....need advice on multiple concerns.

[azygous]

Yes, send another one. It's more conclusive that way. And you never know that another necropsy could turn up something new. Instead of dreading what they might find, it will help to manage the remainder of your flock and hopefully treat more effectlvely the ones that are coming down sick.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

@Chopper923 I'm glad to know the Denagard has eased respiratory symptoms. The recommended treatment dosage is 3 teaspoons per gallon of water for 5 days (which you have done), then the preventative dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons per gallon of water for 3-5 days each month. Are you asking about repeating the Denagard treatment dosage? If so, are you asking in case the lameness symtoms are due to MS? (Sorry I'm unclear; my brain has gone fuzzy due to summer dehydration.)

 

[Chopper923]

@Chopper923 I'm glad to know the Denagard has eased respiratory symptoms. The recommended treatment dosage is 3 teaspoons per gallon of water for 5 days (which you have done), then the preventative dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons per gallon of water for 3-5 days each month. Are you asking about repeating the Denagard treatment dosage? If so, are you asking in case the lameness symtoms are due to MS? (Sorry I'm unclear; my brain has gone fuzzy due to summer dehydration.)

Yes, i am wondering if i should do it again. I noticed yesterday AFTER I posted that one of our roosters is still sneezing. I forgot to mention another thank you for the dosing measurements...when reading up on the medication, it is very confusing! Your way made it crystal clear.

 

[Chopper923]

Yes, i am wondering if i should do it again. I noticed yesterday AFTER I posted that one of our roosters is still sneezing. I forgot to mention another thank you for the dosing measurements...when reading up on the medication, it is very confusing! Your way made it crystal clear.

And also because of the lameness of one pullet and the noneating quiet pullet.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Yes, i am wondering if i should do it again. I noticed yesterday AFTER I posted that one of our roosters is still sneezing. I forgot to mention another thank you for the dosing measurements...when reading up on the medication, it is very confusing! Your way made it crystal clear.

And also because of the lameness of one pullet and the noneating quiet pullet.

I would absolutely treat them again. When I finally discovered Denagard to treat MG within my flock, they had been symptomatic for many months. It took 2 separate treatments before respiratory symptoms ceased in all birds. I continued to treat monthly using the preventative dosage for 6 months afterward. By then another hot summer had arrived. Sunlight and heat kills mycoplasma, so I decided to hold off on preventative treatment and wait and see if symptoms returned. They never did, not even the following winter. When I used the med 9+ years ago, mycoplasma had zero resistance to Denagard. I've since read studies where some resistance is beginning to develop. For this reason I don't recommend using the med as a monthly preventative for the rest of your flock's lives. But absolutely use the treatment dosage anytime you see symptoms. As far as the preventative dosage, I would treat monthly until your summer heat returns next year, and reassess then.

 

[Chopper923]

T

I would absolutely treat them again. When I finally discovered Denagard to treat MG within my flock, they had been symptomatic for many months. It took 2 separate treatments before respiratory symptoms ceased in all birds. I continued to treat monthly using the preventative dosage for 6 months afterward. By then another hot summer had arrived. Sunlight and heat kills mycoplasma, so I decided to hold off on preventative treatment and wait and see if symptoms returned. They never did, not even the following winter. When I used the med 9+ years ago, mycoplasma had zero resistance to Denagard. I've since read studies where some resistance is beginning to develop. For this reason I don't recommend using the med as a monthly preventative for the rest of your flock's lives. But absolutely use the treatment dosage anytime you see symptoms. As far as the preventative dosage, I would treat monthly until your summer heat returns next year, and reassess then.

Thank you for the explanation!! How many of your chickens passed before you started treatment? I was ready someone else's post (maybe azygous?), and you had mentioned you had at the time 300 chickens. Is that for real?? Or did I misread that? I've been staying up really late trying to read and learn, so I know that I haven't retained a lot of info. I know it's not the best time to do so when I'm tired, but it seems like it's the only uninterrupted time.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

you had mentioned you had at the time 300 chickens. Is that for real?? Or did I misread that?

Um yeah it was for real. And I still have a lot of those older hens, although many have begun to pass away. There's a story behind it that I will save for another day.

How many of your chickens passed before you started treatment?

The hens that carried MG were a group of 12 ISA Brown pullets that I purchased from a local seller at point of lay. One died before I sent the second off for a necropsy at my state lab. Several others were very symptomatic for months, while the rest never showed any symptoms. After I learned why they were sick and then read everything I could find about MG, I built another coop and run, separated by an expanse of woods, for chicks I bought at tractor supply the following year. I took precautions including wearing separate shoes when tending to each flock, and the new chicks/adults were never exposed to the carrier flock. The original ISA Browns all passed away from natural reproductive causes before their 4th year. I will never buy chicks from anywhere but a reputable national hatchery due to that first experience. And I know I was lucky they only had MG. There are many tragic stories on this forum where people were so excited to get chickens, then discovered their flock was sick with multiple incurable diseases. I'm sorry it happened to you.

 

[Sammster]

Wow… Reading this thread has been intense. You and your flock and family have been through so much @Chopper923 — I’m so sorry this has been your experience, but well done for getting educated and doing the best by your chickens! I’m glad the fennel tea seems to have helped.

The fennel tea worked for my girl, as well. ♡ I'm glad it helped yours too, Chopper.

 

[Sammster]

My husband and son are gone until early sunday morning, so i might have to see if our neighbor can help end the suffering if need be.

Oh, I'm so sorry. I should have read ahead. Big hugs to you

 

[Chopper923]

Um yeah it was for real. And I still have a lot of those older hens, although many have begun to pass away. There's a story behind it that I will save for another day.

The hens that carried MG were a group of 12 ISA Brown pullets that I purchased from a local seller at point of lay. One died before I sent the second off for a necropsy at my state lab. Several others were very symptomatic for months, while the rest never showed any symptoms. After I learned why they were sick and then read everything I could find about MG, I built another coop and run, separated by an expanse of woods, for chicks I bought at tractor supply the following year. I took precautions including wearing separate shoes when tending to each flock, and the new chicks/adults were never exposed to the carrier flock. The original ISA Browns all passed away from natural reproductive causes before their 4th year. I will never buy chicks from anywhere but a reputable national hatchery due to that first experience. And I know I was lucky they only had MG. There are many tragic stories on this forum where people were so excited to get chickens, then discovered their flock was sick with multiple incurable diseases. I'm sorry it happened to you.

Wow, that's incredible! I am looking forward to reading your story should you decide to share someday. (I had to look up ISA Browns and their lifespan...I had no idea some chickens live much shorter lives than others. )