Eyes Swollen shut/ mucus in both nostrils/ raspy breathing thru mouth

[Razzlefrazzle]

Ok so I’m back again and this is probably a dumb question but since I’ve got 3 roosters and 4 hens all with MG apparently, can I pen them in my small pen/coop all together instead of having them all quarantined in seperate individual dog crates? Cuz Im trying my best to get this crap nipped in the bud since it seems to be spreading and I’m FREAKING OUTTTTT PLEASE HELP.

I don't see a problem with keeping them together as long as there is enough space and they don't start pecking each other.

How many chickens do you have total? I'd assume they've all been exposed... Not all of them might show symptoms, but you do seem to have a bad strain or something. I'm hesitant about prophylactic use of antibiotics but there are definitely people who would be treating the whole flock with powder tylosin in the water.

And on a final side note, how is the ventilation in the coop and roosting area? Ammonia buildup from their poop gets worse in cold, damp weather, has a bad effect on health and makes chickens more susceptible to respiratory infections. (If you check on their roosting area in the early morning and it stinks and your eyes burn, you need better ventilation.)

 

[Kandace Edgar]

I don't see a problem with keeping them together as long as there is enough space and they don't start pecking each other.

How many chickens do you have total? I'd assume they've all been exposed... Not all of them might show symptoms, but you do seem to have a bad strain or something. I'm hesitant about prophylactic use of antibiotics but there are definitely people who would be treating the whole flock with powder tylosin in the water.

And on a final side note, how is the ventilation in the coop and roosting area? Ammonia buildup from their poop gets worse in cold, damp weather, has a bad effect on health and makes chickens more susceptible to respiratory infections. (If you check on their roosting area in the early morning and it stinks and your eyes burn, you need better ventilation.)

In the coops and big pens where the breakout is, I’ve got about 45 hens, 2 with biddies that are 3 weeks and others are 4 weeks, and then 3 Roos….and all coops have great ventilation and I clean all the coops every week, we’ve got 3 seperate coops total in this area of our property, and the turkeys and ducks are seperate and penned and don’t free range on the other side of yard. AND I just recently got 11 hens from a lady that I’ve gotten birds from before and she had a turkey that had his face swollen and his eye shut , but I’ve never had any sick birds so since I obviously didn’t know any different I I took her word for itshe said it was just from the weather since her turkeys roost on her house and free range but all of her hens and everything else is always in seperate pens and I’ve not ever had this problem. Also none of the hens from there have or are showing any symptoms, just my big flock that’s all about 2,3 and 4 years old. Worse thing I’ve ever dealt with n last 4 years was mites

 

[Kandace Edgar]

If its a respiratory disease theres no cure for that like mg and he will show symptoms again as stress brings it out. Meds like tylan hides the symptoms

So wait there’s no cure for the MG? So the meds and stuff aren’t going to do anything at all? I’m confused?

 

[Eggcessive]

Well, getting birds from other breeders or sales is how most people bring in disease to their flocks. There are a number of different respiratory diseases including mycoplasma (MG,) coryza, ILT, infectious bronchitis, and a couple of others. I would close my flock to any new birds for the life of the flock. Some cull sick birds, while some may try treating with antibiotics. Once all birds are gone, wait a couple of months, and then get new healthy chicks from a hatchery or feed store.

 

[Kandace Edgar]

Well, getting birds from other breeders or sales is how most people bring in disease to their flocks. There are a number of different respiratory diseases including mycoplasma (MG,) coryza, ILT, infectious bronchitis, and a couple of others. I would close my flock to any new birds for the life of the flock. Some cull sick birds, while some may try treating with antibiotics. Once all birds are gone, wait a couple of months, and then get new healthy chicks from a hatchery or feed store.

Yes I completely understand just seeing as how I’ve never had this issue before and have gotten birds from her on several occasions I just assumed this time wouldn’t be any different. Guess I definitely learned the hard way.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to know which disease without testing or a necropsy by your state vet. MG is a lifelong (chronic disease.) Symptoms can come back during periods of stress when molting, being moved, or during extreme cold or wet weather. Sometimes symptoms may not come back, but birds with MG may not lay as well or reach their potential. Here is a good article to read:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Yes I completely understand just seeing as how I’ve never had this issue before and have gotten birds from her on several occasions I just assumed this time wouldn’t be any different. Guess I definitely learned the hard way.

That person might have gotten birds from a infected source etc

 

[Poultrybonkers]

So wait there’s no cure for the MG? So the meds and stuff aren’t going to do anything at all? I’m confused?

Meds hides symptoms thats all it does once the bird gets stressed again it will show symptoms

 

[Kandace Edgar]

Meds hides symptoms thats all it does once the bird gets stressed again it will show symptoms

So basically it would just be easier an less stressful on all of us to cull them? so if they actually never get rid of it then they still carry it so can they still spread it while no symptoms are present?

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Meds hides symptoms thats all it does once the bird gets stressed again it will show symptoms

I see that explanation of meds "hiding" symptoms a lot, but I don't think that's very clear or accurate, mostly because it makes it sound like antibiotics can't save a bird's life which they definitely can. From what I've read, the antibiotics we use to treat the bacteria that cause mycoplasma inhibit the bacteria's ability to multiply, which keeps chicken's immune system from being overwhelmed and allow them to recover from the infection and their symptoms. However since the antibiotics cannot kill mycoplasma bacteria, some seems to remain, usually kept in check by their immune systems so they don't appear sick, but able to make a comeback if stress or some other factor upsets the status quo in their bodies.