Lone Chicken - Other Sick

[armorwolf]

Hi all - I have 2 hens (had a few more that passed due to reproductive issues unfortunately) and one is fairly sick with what we think is mycoplasma (will be going to the vet this week to confirm via swab, she's been in before and the meds just really haven't been working but they've yet to swab as the testing was decently expensive and they recommended just trying the meds first). Not sure at this point if she will need to be culled/euthanized or not, but we shall see.

My question is though, in the case that she does need to be euthanized, what quality of life will the other hen have? She doesn't display the same issues though if the disease is mycoplasma, she certainly has it meaning I can't get another hen for her to be buddies with. Have any of y'all successfully kept a single hen? Or would it be better to euthanize her as well? I'd hate to put down a seemingly healthy chicken, but I do want to keep in mind quality of life.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I'm sorry your bird is sick. Hard questions. I know some people get down to one bird and do okay but they are flock animals. Many are very stressed alone.

If you ever want chickens again, cull her. I'm not sure how long micoplasma takes to clear, it's a bacteria, or treatment for soil....but you'd want to do that to get more birds.

On the other hand, I have had suspected CRD in one bird years ago and not go through flock nor rise again, and I didn't do anything. It's sort of like many diseases. Constantly around but only some have issues.

My thoughts

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Here's a really good article on Mycoplasma from Maine Ag. As I thought, it is an "all in and all out" policy for MG. Culling all positive birds, then cleaning and disinfecting the coop, and the answer I didn't know, letting the soil remain empty for 2 weeks. Then getting Mycoplasma negative birds. After that it is strict no one else in and no visiting other chickens without careful disinfection of your clothing and boots.

If you decide to keep this one bird, she would have to remain alone for the rest of her life, unless she tested negative for MG (waiting 30 days after last contact with the other bird if she tests positive).

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_health/documents/backyardpoultry/Mycoplasma Factsheet.pdf

LofMc

 

[armorwolf]

Here's a really good article on Mycoplasma from Maine Ag. As I thought, it is an "all in and all out" policy for MG. Culling all positive birds, then cleaning and disinfecting the coop, and the answer I didn't know, letting the soil remain empty for 2 weeks. Then getting Mycoplasma negative birds. After that it is strict no one else in and no visiting other chickens without careful disinfection of your clothing and boots.

If you decide to keep this one bird, she would have to remain alone for the rest of her life, unless she tested negative for MG (waiting 30 days after last contact with the other bird if she tests positive).

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_health/documents/backyardpoultry/Mycoplasma Factsheet.pdf

LofMc

Thank you for your in depth replies! The information you linked is helpful, and I'll definitely get the normal-acting one tested once the time is up. If she ends up positive, I'm planning on seeing how she does by herself and will consider euthanizing her if she's unhappy. I hate to put down a seemingly "healthy" bird, but it's better than suffering in my opinion. Tough call though, unfortunately.