disease free heritage birds: How to be sure I will get them?

[forester7]

I recently decided to start a flock of heritage chickens. I bought from a LARGE local breeder and ended up with what I think was mycoplasma. Rather than putting up with that forever, I killed them all off and took the loss. I would love to try heritage birds again, but how can I know I will not be getting diseased birds again? I have a flock of hybrids now and don't want to bring in any diseases. My father raised hybrids bought from farm stores for 40 years and NEVER had a sickness or mite problem! It sounds like diseases such as mycoplasma are everywhere in backyard flocks... is it even realistic that I could get disease free birds, especially given that the largest local breeder has a serious mycoplasma problem? I am in Canada, and shipping costs seem outlandish!

 

[oregonkat]

You might be happier if you hatched your own eggs.. that way at least you can be pretty certain that you are hatchery disease free. Of course even your own hatchlings run a risk of certain diseases but if you are diligent they can be rare.

 

[forester7]

But with hatching eggs... my understanding is that mycoplasma (which I have heard is one of the more common diseases) is passed on through the eggs. Is that correct?

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, Mycoplasma will pass through eggs from infected hens.
Be very careful when sourcing new stock; as you've discovered, not everyone has good birds.
I feel safer getting Marek's vaccinated chicks from good hatcheries, rather than small breeders. Especially from 'open' flocks, where birds go to shows, or are traded with other people. Scary!
If your heart is set on some rare breed that's hard to find, that is more difficult.
If you don't plan to show your birds, having stock that's of the right breed, and selecting for the traits you want, will work fine.
My white Chanteclers are from Cackle, and I've been able to select individuals who are typical of their breed, and who are good layers, out of their stock.
Good luck!
Mary