Dreaded MG

[Matthew Maschona-Fortune]

Hi Everyone!

Iys with a heavy heart i write this. I think my flock has MG.
I have just started keeping chickens, barel 3 months and now this. I'm living in Indonesia and there's no vet(period). Most things are still very traditional here.
I've tried so many things, i googled and googled and googled but it seems the only option i have is to kill my flock of 20.

But before i do, I'm desperate for any other remedies.
Anyone?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Matthew Maschona-Fortune

I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble.
What symptoms do your chickens have?
Any photos?
How old are they?

MG (Mycoplasma Gallisepticum) is not necessarily a death sentence. A lot depends on your chicken keeping goals. If you are trying to raise birds to sell, trade or show - then culling and starting over is may be better. If they are for your own personal use, then managing the illness and culling only those that are severely ill may be a the way to go.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry
MG is contagious and birds that have been sick, recovered or exposed are considered carriers of the illness. MG can be transmitted through the egg to chicks, as well as, from bird-to-bird contact, through dust, dander, housing on clothes, etc. This is why a lot of literature you see says to cull, this will help stop the spread of the illness.
Do some reading looking for "breeding for resistance in poultry" search here on BYC and google - this may give you information on how to weed out the weaker ones and breed only the stronger chickens - this can make your birds less symptomatic - they would still be carriers, but you would eventually (in theory) have fewer losses.

What do you use traditionally for infection (herbs)? We may be able to help you figure something out.

Do you happen to have any access to antibiotics - these can be used to help control symptoms (secondary infections). Tylan ( Tylosin), Denagard (Tiamulin) or possibly Tetracyclines?

Hopefully others will chime in - we will do our best to give you some suggestions. Keep them drinking. If they have discharge from the nostrils or eyes try to keep that cleared away. A sterile solution is best to wash the eyes - you can boil some salt water, let it cool then use that for washing out the eyes.
Keep us posted.

 

[venymae]

Just to add, many antibiotics/treatments are available at farm stores (local coop, tractor supply, orschlens, etc.)

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I'm so sorry! It would be best to have a diagnosis. Can you mail samples anywhere? If there's a veterinary school, check there first. Blood or saliva samples might be able to be mailed. If you do have MG, that's the only actual fix, but knowing first would be better'
Will it be possible for you to have a clean flock where you live? Feral chickens, or near neighbors with infected flocks, will make it very difficult/ impossible to not have MG or whatever, over and over again.
If that's the case, maybe treating the birds when they are actually ill, or culling the most affected individuals, might be your only way forward. Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

What symptoms are you seeing in the sick birds? I agree with others in either treating sick birds with antibiotics, such as oxytetracycline, tylosin, or tiamulin. If you know people with cattle or pigs, they may help you find some. MG can be transferred through hatching eggs, and can be spread from carriers such as other chickens or poultry, and wild birds. If you cannot get antibiotics to treat, separation or culling very sick birds would be your best bet.
Chickens with MG can get sick again later since it is a chronic illness. There are other respiratory diseases, some viral or fungal that will not respond to antibiotics. Make sure that your chickens are drinking plenty of water. Hopefully, you can save your flock.

 

[Matthew Maschona-Fortune]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your responses. I did quite a bit of research and unfortunately they had to be culled.
Symptoms were gapping of the mouth( like gasping for air ), also the bubbly eyes followed with completely swollen shut eyes and puss oozing out. Slow growth and a weak hatch rate 3 out 17 eggs. The intention is to sell the chickens.

I tried managing the disease for a few months but my neighbours chickens and ducks were getting ever closer since they free range and i did not want to spread it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your responses. I did quite a bit of research and unfortunately they had to be culled.
Symptoms were gapping of the mouth( like gasping for air ), also the bubbly eyes followed with completely swollen shut eyes and puss oozing out. Slow growth and a weak hatch rate 3 out 17 eggs. The intention is to sell the chickens.

I tried managing the disease for a few months but my neighbours chickens and ducks were getting ever closer since they free range and i did not want to spread it.

I'm sorry to hear that you had to cull them all, but from your description you made a wise and informed decision.

Hopefully you will be able to clean up, give yourself a waiting period and start over with better results.

I wish you well.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with Wyorp Rock. It can very difficult to decide to cull, but that is the best way to deal with respiratory diseases when there are nearby poultry who could be affected. Starting over with healthy chicks after a couple of weeks would be good. Hopefully, the neighbor's chickens are all healthy. Sorry for your loss.