Help with Mycoplasma treatment + unusual case

[ChickenClaw03]

Hi,

I have a complicated case of illness in a 4 year old Barnevelder named Queenie, who is a beloved pet. Unfortunately, when I brought her years ago she was sick with mycoplasma. I didn’t know much about the virus, all I knew is that the person who I brought her from had healed her, so I assumed there wouldn’t be problems.

Now she’s my complex case who has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on the side of her beak, who has been miraculously living for a year since diagnosis!

The problem now is that I believe signs of mycoplasma have returned since she has a weakened immune response. She’s currently on antibiotics (amoxicillin) for secondary infections from the carcinoma, however, I’m unsure if this will help with the mycoplasma.



If you are concerned I can assure you that she is still active, eating, drinking and engaging with other flock members, which is why she hasn’t been put to sleep at this stage.

 

[dawg53]

Mycoplasma is a bacteria, not a virus. Once chickens are infected with Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG), they remain carriers for life if they survive the disease. It means that they can spread the disease to other birds and can cause flare ups in the carrier bird as well.
MG can be treated with antibiotics including amoxicillin IF the bird hasnt built resistance to the antibiotic.
If the amoxicillin doesnt treat the MG, I recommend using Denagard also known as Tiagard.
https://farmpertise.com/denagard-chickens/

 

[ChickenClaw03]

Mycoplasma is a bacteria, not a virus. Once chickens are infected with Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG), they remain carriers for life if they survive the disease. It means that they can spread the disease to other birds and can cause flare ups in the carrier bird as well.
MG can be treated with antibiotics including amoxicillin IF the bird hasnt built resistance to the antibiotic.
If the amoxicillin doesnt treat the MG, I recommend using Denagard also known as Tiagard.
https://farmpertise.com/denagard-chickens/

Thanks for the reply,

She’s definitely been a carrier since I brought her. Poor thing, I wish I knew back then. I’ll look into the Denagard just in case.

 

[Eggcessive]

MG is a chronic infection that remains alive in the whole flock for the life of all birds until the last one is gone. When all of this flock eventually die off, you can start all over with healthy chicks from a hatchery. MG only remains alive in the environment for several days once the chickens are gone. Mycoplasma lacks a cell wall, so amoxicillin is not a good choice as an antibiotic in treating it. Tylosin, Tiamulin (Denagard or Tiagard), or tetracyclines are the ones more effective against the mycoplasma organism. Here is an article to read:
https://extension.psu.edu/avian-mycoplasmosis

 

[Poultrybonkers]

There’s no cure for mg meds only hide the symptoms until stress brings it back out.

 

[Eggcessive]

There’s no cure for mg meds only hide the symptoms until stress brings it back out.

Yes, it is incurable and remains in the survivors for life. But symptoms can go away with some antibiotics, although symptoms can come back again, and they remain carriers. It is best to close the flocks to birds leaving the flock for the remainder of life.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Yes, it is incurable and remains in the survivors for life. But symptoms can go away with some antibiotics, although symptoms can come back again, and they remain carriers. It is best to close the flocks to birds leaving the flock for the remainder of life.

I’d personally cull them. Because what’s stoping them from going in their coop then going to the store in the shoes they wore in their coop…. And meds hides the symptoms until stress brings it back out so it never actually goes away.

 

[CraziChknLady]

If she has it then all birds in your flock are carriers, even any eggs that hatch. You must have a closed flock meaning no birds in or out. No selling, trading, swaps, etc. If any hatch they remain with that flock.
It is spread from adult to adult and to the eggs. It's transferred through air, respiratory droplets, feces and from hen to egg. It can be on the roosts, nest boxes, run, your hair, clothes and shoes. No cure. All antibiotics do is to reduce or clear the symptoms. The symptoms can flare up over stress, weather, flock dynamics, etc.
You do have a couple options.
Some decide to ride it out. They will keep a closed flock and treat as flares come up. If any chicks hatch, they must remain with the flock.
Some decide to just cull and start over.
Either way, whenever you do start over make sure to disinfect everything. The coop, run, your clothes and shoes, etc.
Also keep in mind that if you visit your flock, then go to farm, chicken swap, etc it can transfer to your clothes and hair.

I dealt with this about a year ago. Took me months to find a good testing place. It's called vetdna.com Sadly found out that some has Mycoplasma G , some Mycoplasma S and some had both. I started with keeping and managing a closed flock. Then the flare ups were just all the time, less egg production and losing weight. I winded up doing a first cull early on ( and having 12 roosters was a bit much), which was just roos and the most sickest/non laying hens.
Then had 30 Spring 2025, which was good for eggs. After 2 dog attacks, some predator loss over early summer, then by late summer egg production dropped. In the end it was about 20 and the last ones. In the end I just let mine free range and be chickens for as long as I could.

They seem like they are healthy from a distance or just looking at them, but when picked up, on closer inspection you can tell.

I can say that the Nutrena Layer Feed and the Kalmbach Hen House Reserve sprinkled in really helped. I would often top with rooster booster or use the Duravet poultry powder ( not the layer boost) in water and that really helped.

I apologize this is so lengthy but want everyone to know about it and hope my info may help someone else.