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Well, you can get MG free birds if you want, but the first show, swap or auction you go to, you'll get it again. It is one of the most prevalent chicken diseases in the world (hence the G=gallicepticum from gallus gallus, the scientific name for chicken). Actually, if your birds all got wiped out in a week, there is no way it is MG.
MG is a slow spreading, low mortality disease. It causes high morbidity (loss of vitality, vigor, production) but most of its victims don't die and the few that do die do so after a pretty long battle. It is usually noted by yellow discharge in the face and swelling of face and sometimes joints with frequent coughing/sneezing. Many of its victims actually die of secondary infections due to lowered immune response.
If your birds died in a week, you are almost certainly talking about something else.
MG or CRD (chronic respiratory disease, same thing, different name) is so common that for a person interested in buying, selling and/or showing birds it is better to have a little immune resistance than to try to have a free flock. You cannot do both (without selling everything you show) because of the prevalence of the disease. Many of the survivors are carriers and it is passed from mother to offspring in the egg, making it very hard to eliminate completely. Lastly, it is a pretty good survivor outside its host. That means that even after some time has passed, you could still get reinfection because it may still be in your environment.
I AM talking about MG. I had birds tested by the State and they all showed positive for MG. I have test results here to prove it. Wiped out meaning ALL exposed and a few symptomatic were destroyed. I will not house birds that are carriers.
And no I do not plan on showing or going to swaps or auctions.
I do know what MG is. I've actually done a good bit of research on poultry illnesses in the past. I will not house birds that are carriers. If MG is here and pops up again, so be it, then I reckon I won't be doing any breeding.
Yep, MG is a state reportable disease, in most states. If the State veterinarians in the state you live in test them and they are positive, they will depopulate the flock. The problem with just saying that you will only get birds from MS and MG flocks is that to keep them that way you HAVE TO prevent ANY AND ALL exposure of your birds or your birds pens to any and all wild birds including sparrows, Starlings, etc. IF those birds drop feces through the pen, your bids can be exposed. Not saying you cant keep your birds MS/MG free, but STRICT biosecurity is a MUST!!!!
Good luck, hope you can resurrect your flock.
