ThatTeowonna
Songster
Bad news! Infectious Laryngotracheitis (LT) has invaded my flock of 8 chickens (now 7 since my rooster died last Sunday). My rooster started exhibiting symptoms similar to a chicken I lost a month ago. I bought them both from the same farm. I took my dead rooster to our local extension program who confirmed today (after necropsy) that my rooster had LT. The Dr. came to my house today to give me a quarantine notice: nothing relating to my chicks can leave my home within 30 days of the last culled chicken or last chicken stops showing signs. This things is serious. It is a herpes virus and while some chicks may survive it, it can recur.
She gave me three options: 1. cull the entire flock (which she thinks is best); 2. cull any that show signs (so far, one other chicken); 3. vaccinate any chicken that isn't showing signs, they haven't been exposed (this would be free of charge). I can do any one of these, a combination, or nothing at all.
If I decide to cull, she will do it on my property for me. It would be my responsibility to burn or bury. What would you do? I've only been a chicken keeper since Sept. 2020. She said this is only the 7th case in her 24-year career. That's 2020 for ya!
She gave me three options: 1. cull the entire flock (which she thinks is best); 2. cull any that show signs (so far, one other chicken); 3. vaccinate any chicken that isn't showing signs, they haven't been exposed (this would be free of charge). I can do any one of these, a combination, or nothing at all.
If I decide to cull, she will do it on my property for me. It would be my responsibility to burn or bury. What would you do? I've only been a chicken keeper since Sept. 2020. She said this is only the 7th case in her 24-year career. That's 2020 for ya!