How long do respiratory diseases stay in environment?

[BigMoma3]

My whole flock is suffering from some form of respiratory illness. I know you can control most respiratory illnesses with meds, but I also know most cause them to be carriers for life. I've had so many problems and heartache with this flock already I believe I am ready to cull and start fresh in spring.

I also know it's always best to do a necropsy to see exactly what youre working with, but I've had so many put down and shipped off this past year I am just exhausted and depressed from the process. So.....would I be ok to just cull and start over in spring. I know each respiratory virus or bacteria has different lengths of duration it can last in the environment. I am looking at about a 7 month time frame with no chickens. Is that long enough to erradicate all forms of respiratory illness from the chicken area? Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

Three weeks is what's recommended for MG to be gone, I'm not sure about any of the others. If you have Marek's disease too, that takes years.
Your state poultry lab can give you prices, and an actual diagnosis. I'm so sorry, it's awful for you and your birds.
Mary

 

[dawg53]

I

My whole flock is suffering from some form of respiratory illness. I know you can control most respiratory illnesses with meds, but I also know most cause them to be carriers for life. I've had so many problems and heartache with this flock already I believe I am ready to cull and start fresh in spring.

I also know it's always best to do a necropsy to see exactly what youre working with, but I've had so many put down and shipped off this past year I am just exhausted and depressed from the process. So.....would I be ok to just cull and start over in spring. I know each respiratory virus or bacteria has different lengths of duration it can last in the environment. I am looking at about a 7 month time frame with no chickens. Is that long enough to erradicate all forms of respiratory illness from the chicken area? Thanks!

I agree with you that it would be best cull and start over in the spring. Course time varies from disease to disease as does environmental course times.
I know MG only lasts in the environment for about 3 days because it lacks a cell wall.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034
After culling, it would be best to purchase Oxine and disinfect everything including inside coops, nest boxes, roosts, exterior of coops, feeders and waterers etc.
https://www.shagbarkbantams.com/the-many-uses-of-oxine-ah-animal-health/
https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/oxine-animal-health-ah?sku=15101-801
You can sterilize the soil by covering the soil with plastic sheets, let the sun do it's job:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-black-plastic-sterilize-soil-23181.html

 

[BigMoma3]

Thank you. I hate it but know it's best. I know I'm not dealing with Mareks though because I've had several necropsies and none showed Mareks. And they have had no exposure to other chickens to contract the disease. I think the respiratory illness came from wild birds in my area

 

[BigMoma3]

I

I agree with you that it would be best cull and start over in the spring. Course time varies from disease to disease as does environmental course times.
I know MG only lasts in the environment for about 3 days because it lacks a cell wall.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034
After culling, it would be best to purchase Oxine and disinfect everything including inside coops, nest boxes, roosts, exterior of coops, feeders and waterers etc.
https://www.shagbarkbantams.com/the-many-uses-of-oxine-ah-animal-health/
https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/oxine-animal-health-ah?sku=15101-801
You can sterilize the soil by covering the soil with plastic sheets, let the sun do it's job:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-black-plastic-sterilize-soil-23181.html

Thank you for that. It is really good advice! I will definitely do that with the plastic.