Beth G. :
I think the two BYC Peeps that posted after you are right. Don't be so hard on yourself over this. I think you really need to try and get the test done. Until then don't doubt yourself that you did anything wrong. As my friend tells me, He shares this information to help backyard poultry keepers not discourage them. I hope you don't take his input in my postings as negative or discouraging. Look at them as constructive critism/ and information only. Don't do anything drastic until you have concrete evidence showing exactly if that is the cause.
If for some reason it comes back that she does have it, I wouldn't blame yourself. As thecochincoop said this stuff is in the enviroment everywhere. Even in places you visit often and do not even think twice about possible contamination.
Like for instance going to a grocery store in a heavy farm community. Who would think to worry about contracting Mareks, CRD, MG, Etc... after going to pick up some groceries. Then you come home and your babies are outside clucking away and you can't help but, run over and say hi to your babies. I think we've all done it. I personally only where the same slip on boots in my pen and have a spray bottle of oxine hanging on the gate of the only way in. But, it could still be on my clothes!!!
Be postive like everyone has said
Best Wishes
Quote:
I'm going to try to get my girl tested too. I found the State Ag/Vet office for KY on-line but got a bounce-back response to my e-mail that they are out of the office until next week (big Alpaca Show in the area this weekend). There is a place here in town at UK that does the test, but I would still have to have someone draw the blood so I could take it to them - $25. I'm hoping the State Vet in Frankfort will do the draw and be less expensive. If both birds test negative for MG, we'll just have to assume it's, well.....narrow feathers.
From everything I'm reading, there is no known effect to humans. My birds aren't showing any respiratory symptoms, and are just pets anyway, and won't be bred. So I don't feel the sense of urgency I did a day or two ago. One site said
most back-yard flocks have MG, either active or dormant. Like Twila, I haven't found anything about a genetic mutation componant. If I thought - as I think I understood from one of the earlier posts - that my pullet's feathers would get progressively more deformed and necrotic, I would have her put down. At this point I will let her carry on and keep an eye out for degeneration.
Like I've read over and over here - it always happens to your favorites ................
