Avian sarcoma leukosis/diseases of commercial stock in backyard flocks

[Resolution]

reference regarding antibiotic resistance-1

reference regarding antibiotic resistance-2


reference regarding antibiotic resistance-3

reference regarding antibiotic resistance-4

To be clear, none of that is dealing specifically with leukosis but the issues are laid out well.

 

[hemet dennis]

Quote:
OK your right none of those 4 have anything to do with Avian Leukosis so what did you want to talk about ??

 

[RHRanch]

I don't know about the leukosis thing, but I think this quote from the HP article is hilarious: "A turkey farmer's number one priority is to ensure the health and well-being of their flocks," noted Sherrie Rosenblatt, a spokesperson for the National Turkey Federation. While she suggested that the industry supports any efforts to improve safety for consumers, she added that "there is no conclusive evidence that antibiotic use in animals is affecting human health."

Yes, there is no conclusive evidence that suggests that you can create drug resistant bacteria - or is there? LOL

(Maybe they wouldn't have to use antibiotics so much if the turkeys were not so crowded. IDK)

 

[Resolution]

Quote:
OK your right none of those 4 have anything to do with Avian Leukosis so what did you want to talk about ??

I didn't say they're unrelated. What they have in common is well-bred high utility stock used to feed America (and the world) are born immune deficient. They are processed in a few short weeks. Other, slower growing meat birds are being reared in exponentially higher numbers to support the localvore food movement. More discerning palates request the slow growing breeds and small family farms across the country are supplying them. High end restaurants along the Eastern Seaboard are alone supporting several small farm cooperatives that I'm aware of including some organic facilities. Here's the rub, these birds are processed several weeks later than the cornish crosses and I've heard from seven independent farmers about USDA facilities condemning birds for Avian Leukosis. THe symptoms of leukosis don't normally emerge until the birds are older than eight weeks and this is why Cornish Cross are not being condemned at these facilities- they have yet to develop the symptoms of this wide spread malady.

Evidently, and this is from information from one of the countries leading avian pathologists who works for a major poultry supplier- one of the largest suppliers of meat and eggs- it's actually leukosis that keeps the Cornish Cross from developing -she took it apart for me- yes the Cornish Cross grow so fast their organs give out- but that is overly simplistic. It was explained to me that Avian Leukosis is so prevalent in commercial flocks that breeding stock must be vaccinated for several strains of the disease in hopes that they keep it at bay. These birds are maintained on antibiotics- the heirloom breeding stock that produces these super production strains... The Cornish Cross- when not reared on these antibiotics is particularly vulnerable to bacterial infection- name one- all of them- and because leukosis is transmitted vertically, symptoms for the disease can surface- and are responsible for a surprising % or mortalities- unless the birds die from it- and let's face it-most people don't attempt to keep their Cornish Cross longer than eight weeks- in the event that they are kept for longer they will inevitably succumb to organ failure- and sometimes avian leukosis is a factor.

Moving to the slow growing breeds- seven different farms contacted me this year- all with the same problem- strains that had passed with flying colours in previous years- and birds completely healthy all the way to harvest are showing symptoms of leukosis- and it is apparently yet another strain immune to most antibiotics- this is something poultry industry giants are well-equipped for but the small farmer?

This is not an alarmist thread nor do I intend to go into a debate session. Ignoring these four references that anyone and everyone should recognize as factual isn't helpful. Huffington Post renders information into bite size PR sound bites. So what. It doesn't change the message and it doesn't matter what our opinions are as to why we believe that bacterial resistant diseases are on the rise. What is the solution for the small family farm?

if we could please just discuss the phenomenon and collaborate on solutions- not obsess over the problem leading into the tug of war between positions of ideology- derailing this very important topic-

- But rather spend our time and energy delving into objective inquiry and collaborative- investigation into these disease issues- and provide solutions in advance to protect the future small family farm from having a huge chunk of their yearly income buried in a landfill due to plaque on the heart and nodules on the lungs.

There are any number of common diseases ( antibiotic resistant) of industry flocks becoming more prevalent in hatchery stock . These diseases are making their way into backyards across the country and world. Small family farms are the first casualty but we should be concerned and get proactive -in my opinion.

 

[Erica]

I believe the links about levels of antibiotic resistance. And I agree that it's time we thought it all through a little better as to how it might affect our backyard operations.

But the leukosis thing I'm not so sure about. I just say that because I haven't seen anything other than typical musculo-skeletal problems in older cornish x hybrids by 26 weeks. It seems to me if a producer wanted built-in obsolescence he's got it already in terms of their huge bulk. (BTW my hens were only vaccinated against Marek's, not lymphoid leukosis.)

Back to antibiotics. A few years ago I wanted to buy a supplement feed for cattle. It wasn't till I got the bag home that I found the label stating that it contained rumensin, a more-or-less antibiotic. I'd gone there to buy hay but got told the pellet feed was 'better'. Sheesh.

I don't mind what Mr Industry puts in feeds as long as we have choice. But having to google for six hours to find out fully about an ingredient list (e.g. D,L Methionine being artificial and made from 'ingredients' like propane!!) is ridiculous. We need much more information on labels, but we also need those independent watchdogs and standards, exactly the things that are being co-opted or dismantled everywhere. (For instance in Australia we used to have random checks on food safety; that regime has been put aside.)

Sorry for what's basically a rant from me... Hope you get some interesting comments.

regards
Erica

 

[Lotsapaints]

Well Res I just took 10 turkeys to be processed with the inspector there and they must of passed they let me have them back.....none of mine are commercial stock I have Midgets and Bourbons a few Palms and Auburns. I do have a friend that buys commercial turkey poults to raise I'll ask him if they get sick but they don't keep them too long as they get so huge....he wants some of mine to raise only because they can mate without help.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

This is not an alarmist thread nor do I intend to go into a debate session

Really?

Moving to the slow growing breeds- seven different farms contacted me this year-

Why would they contact you?

There are any number of common diseases ( antibiotic resistant) of industry flocks becoming more prevalent in hatchery stock

You've yet to show any evidence of that at all​

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Really?

Moving to the slow growing breeds- seven different farms contacted me this year-

Why would they contact you?

There are any number of common diseases ( antibiotic resistant) of industry flocks becoming more prevalent in hatchery stock

You've yet to show any evidence of that at all​

X-2 Please elaborate.....​

 

[Resolution]

Quote:

Really?

Really. Move along if you want to start a chest bumping match.

Moving to the slow growing breeds- seven different farms contacted me this year-

Why would they contact you?

Because our farm foundation supports ~ 200 farms. Our restaurants purchase tons of meat and vegetables every month.

There are any number of common diseases ( antibiotic resistant) of industry flocks becoming more prevalent in hatchery stock

You've yet to show any evidence of that at all​

You're not being serious. When anyone wants to talks about leukosis let me know. I'm not here to waste my time or yours.​

 

[pips&peeps]

From the Merck Veterinary Manual:

most commercial chicken strains are resistant, and lymphoid leukosis virus infection has been largely eradicated from susceptible stocks​