May start up with chooks again

[Quacking Pigeon]

Hello, I haven’t really worked with chickens for a few years after my family got me some heritage breeds of chickens that killed of most of our flock with a respiratory infection. I’ve been considering getting some more chickens again to show, but our birds still carry the illness and I don’t want to risk loosing new birds.

Because of the illness my main focus has been on ducks and pigeons, as they can’t get it from the chooks. I have been looking at the following breeds: Vowerks, old English games, arucanas, and pekins.

What do you think I should do? Also, sorry if this is on the wrong section... there are just so many chicken ones.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I’ve been considering getting some more chickens again to show, but our birds still carry the illness and I don’t want to risk loosing new birds.

I believe the only way to do that is depopulation of all remaining carriers, keeping the property clear for a specified period of time, and THEN starting over.

Do you know what specific respiratory illness it was? So you still have some chickens or no chickens and figure your other poultry are unaffected carriers? Please know, I have zero experience with respiratory illness and here to learn as well as share with and support other members.

@Eggcessive Sorry for calling on your experience all the time... but it's very valued, thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good article with common diseases of poultry, and it usually includes which type of poultry can get which disease.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Since respiratory diseases can be carried by birds, and ducks can get mycoplasma (MG,) and become carriers for life, I would wait until all birds are gone for a month or more, to get new chickens. Otherwise, the disease may be perpetuated forever to new birds. When you lose a bird, it is always best to get a necropsy to know what disease they had. Many of the respiratory diseases look similar, and sometimes the animal can have more than one.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

Here is a good article with common diseases of poultry, and it usually includes which type of poultry can get which disease.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Since respiratory diseases can be carried by birds, and ducks can get mycoplasma (MG,) and become carriers for life, I would wait until all birds are gone for a month or more, to get new chickens. Otherwise, the disease may be perpetuated forever to new birds. When you lose a bird, it is always best to get a necropsy to know what disease they had. Many of the respiratory diseases look similar, and sometimes the animal can have more than one.

When another chook dies we may send it off to get tested, depending on the cost. I’m really hoping it isn’t MG.