Can I introduce vaccinated chicks to my flock that has MG?

[jordannmarie22]

Unfortunately, I believe my flock has MG. We have treated with antibiotics and are on the road to recovery.
With that being said, is it possible to introduce MG vaccinated chicks to my flock in the future?
I need opinions on this as this is new to me. Thank you.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

@Eggcessive ?

 

[Eggcessive]

I think that is a way that some people handle getting new chicks, but I don’t have any experience with vaccinating chicks for MG. Some large operations may routinely vaccinate to prevent MG. If possible, I would try to get some testing through your state vet or NPIP rep to make sure that it is MG, since they could have another respiratory disease or a second one. Here is another way to get one or two tested with an 8 respiratory disease testing panel:
https://www.zoologix.com/

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@Eggcessive, is MG something that makes the chickens carriers for life, even if they recover? I know Marek's is and I think contsminates the ground for a long time (forever?) so a floch has to be kept essentially "closed," but is the samd true for MG as well?

@jordannmarie22, I really hope testing will prove you mistaken. Best of luck to you and your flock!

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Unfortunately, I believe my flock has MG. We have treated with antibiotics and are on the road to recovery.
With that being said, is it possible to introduce MG vaccinated chicks to my flock in the future?
I need opinions on this as this is new to me. Thank you.

@Eggcessive, is MG something that makes the chickens carriers for life, even if they recover? I know Marek's is and I think contsminates the ground for a long time (forever?) so a floch has to be kept essentially "closed," but is the samd true for MG as well?

This may help answer your questions, as i have experienced a similar situation to yours.

After we had just bought 4 new chickens (to add to our flock of 2), they came down with MG. They were being quarantined at the time. After around 4-5 months, none of the 4 displayed any symptoms, and had seemingly fully recovered.
We introduced them to the other 2 chickens. After a few weeks, both came down with symptoms of MG. They had both been vaccinated for MG.
They did all recover perfectly fine.

So, i think MG does make them carriers for a while at least, and i think vaccinated chickens can still get MG.

Hope that helps, good luck with your flock!

 

[Eggcessive]

@Eggcessive, is MG something that makes the chickens carriers for life, even if they recover? I know Marek's is and I think contsminates the ground for a long time (forever?) so a floch has to be kept essentially "closed," but is the samd true for MG as well?

@jordannmarie22, I really hope testing will prove you mistaken. Best of luck to you and your flock!

Yes, MG and MS are both diseases that will make carriers of the whole flock until all birds are dead and gone. It is best to close your flock with no birds ever being in shows, given away or sold. If you are lucky, the sick birds will recover and lead good lives in your flock, but they will always be carriers. MG and MS last in the environment and on clothes and hair for around 3 days, but in droppings, it may live for weeks. Mycoplasma is also passed through hatching eggs.

Other respiratory diseases such as infectious bronchitis may make them carriers for 5 months to a year. ILT virus and ORT virus will also make chickens carriers for life. Other respiratory diseases that make carriers for life are are coryza, Newcastles disease, and avian influenza. Since there are 8 or so different diseases that may cause similar symptoms, it is always good to have testing or a necropsy on a dead bird, to make sure which disease is affecting your chickens.

 

[Eggcessive]

@BigBlueHen53 here is a good article to read about mycoplasma:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2022-04/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdfL

Here is another about ILT:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2022-01/ILT Know the Symptoms.pdf

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@OrpingtonManiac , @Eggcessive, @aart, thank you all so much!

I will always keep a closed flock, these all sound terrible.

 

[2ndTink]

For the Zoetiz vaccine they do recommend a second vaccination at least 4 weeks after the first dose. If you do decide to get vaccinated chicks, or vaccinate them yourself, just check which vaccine it is and if a second dosage is needed.

https://www.zoetisus.com/products/poultry/mg-bac