From what I have learned my birds will be carriers. They will need to be treated every month as a preventive measure. I am looking for ways to treat monthly so I don't loose their production.
I am forced with the same dilemma, do they stay or do they go?
Your photo looks like what my girls had. Because they can't swallow, seeds, grass and dirt gets stuck in their mouth and throat. That may cause a secondary infection or sour smell. But I read canker affect the crop and makes a sour smell. When my birds were sick they enjoyed their faces and heads rubbed esp. around the throat and face. One hen stood with her legs apart and I think it worked into her organs. Hind sight is 20/20. The books and references I read say the further the infection, the harder to reverse. You will be successful if you catch it at the onset.
Because the Lacy Wyandotte had a big nodule in her throat that prevented her from eating, I figured it was too far progressed to treat. We put her down to be kind. I have watched 4 starve themselves to near death before I put them down.
I looked onto each mouth last night, changing my gloves with each bird. 5 of my 10 birds have symptoms right now. One of my pullets from this spring has the most masses in her throat of all the birds. There is no guarantee that it will end there. Before this winter is over, my entire flock could have symptoms so far progressed that I can't clear it up with treatment and I will be forced to put them down.
My only saving grace...it is a long shot. i can keep them stress free, treat to keep the kritter down. One day all my birds die of old age or I cull them as soon as they stop laying, my flock will turn over and it will be gone. And we will live happily ever after.
For 20 years, I have just watered fed and picked up eggs. Those days are gone. Let me know what you decided and if you find a better plan or method. Other thing I learned, don't just go out and pet them, open their mouths regularly and routinely check them out; clean bird bath water with chemicals or copper sulfate and buy only from clean hatcheries. I will not be afraid to be selective with whom I buy chicks.
