MG in Hatcheries....

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
I free range, so I sort of expect the occasional sniffle out of them - and it usually isn't much to worry about. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a flock, in person, that did not have some sort of low level chronic thing going on. I don't expect to ever see one that is totally disease free. I've heard they exist, but have yet to see it myself.

What made me angry with Cackle was they refused to admit there might be a problem. I didn't even ask for a refund, I was just letting them know so they could look into the problem.

I hate to think what someone who could not afford to lose 40 chicks would go through over it. Or perhaps a newbie who thought it might be their fault (what Cackle tried to tell me

)

if they'd just be honest about it, it wouldn't steam me so much.

meri

 

[pips&peeps]

Since the wild bird population carries MG, I think it is unrealistic to want MG free birds.

If we start raising birds that have not been exposed to any disease we will have a bigger problem on our hands.

A disease like MG that currently causes mild to moderate symptoms will blow up into a very deadly problem.

It is also very costly to test birds and get MG Free status. All birds over 5 months of age in the flock must be tested every 90 days. This cost would be passed on to the consumer, and it won't be pretty.

My suggestion is to practice good bio security, isolate new birds and keep wild birds and pests at bay. You can also vaccinate for MG; I believe it will not fully protect against MG but will reduce symptoms.

 

[Elite Silkies]

pips&peeps :

Since the wild bird population carries MG, I think it is unrealistic to want MG free birds.

If we start raising birds that have not been exposed to any disease we will have a bigger problem on our hands.

A disease like MG that currently causes mild to moderate symptoms will blow up into a very deadly problem.

It is also very costly to test birds and get MG Free status. All birds over 5 months of age in the flock must be tested every 90 days. This cost would be passed on to the consumer, and it won't be pretty.

My suggestion is to practice good bio security, isolate new birds and keep wild birds and pests at bay. You can also vaccinate for MG; I believe it will not fully protect against MG but will reduce symptoms.

I completely agree with you pips&peeps. I ask Teri with Ideal Hatchery about vaccinations for MG and he said that there is not one available. I don't know, I haven't checked into any vaccines for MG.​

 

[pips&peeps]

Lohmann Animal Health:

List: KV:1825
Type: AviPro 104 MG Bacterin
Dose: 1,000
Bottle Cap Color:

Downloads:
MSDS

Description:
This product is a formalin inactivated oil-based suspension of a highly immunogenic R strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

Indications and Administration
This product is used for vaccination of chickens for the prevention of clinical signs associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection. Administration: Subcutaneous injection, 0.5 ml dose size.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

MG free flocks are a wonderful thing.

However, if you free range, you take the chance that your flock WILL eventually contract the disease.

Missisppi state University tells ALL hatcheries that the ONLY way to control this problem is will very large indoor hatcheries and a conplete absence of birds between hathces.

This means that the birds are hatched out and raised to a certian point and either sold off or relocated.

The building is then disinfected and the new hatches are brought in.

People who own turkey farms that free range have a group of people that go about culling ANY bird that even looks sick. It is part of the process for them.

 

[mountaintopchicken]

for the prevention of clinical signs associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum i

Notice it only prevents the clinical signs - it doesn't prevent them from being carriers if they are exposed to it and infected with it.​

 

[pips&peeps]

You can also vaccinate for MG; I believe it will not fully protect against MG but will reduce symptoms.​

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
I completely agree with you pips&peeps. I ask Teri with Ideal Hatchery about vaccinations for MG and he said that there is not one available. I don't know, I haven't checked into any vaccines for MG.

This goes to show you how out of touch this particular hatchery is.... I believe Teri is woman....

I understand that MG is in wild birds but it is very easy to keep them from getting to your flock... It's way more easier for a dieseased chicken to spread the disease, than a sparrow that is just a carrier....

It's should be a service to ones customers to ship only disease free birds... how is shipping birds all over the country with MG POSITIVE flocks OK? If it's not such a big deal and that if everyone had it... than how come almost every big broiler breeder company, big turkey companies, and layer companies have their birds tested every 90 days....???? I'm aware of the cost and I am aware of how it spreads and I still don't understand what the problem is? If a company is sending out 5 million chicks at just say $0.80 per chick... do the math.... spend the extra money to have clean birds. Let the consumer do as they wish with them. If they choose to take them to shows or to bring stock in from Joe down the Rd than so be it.

BUT... for a hatchery to know they have diseased birds is crazy!! From now own I will only buy from MG Clean flocks.... will pay to have birds tested if I buy started pullets. My birds will be tested 3 times a year costing me a mere $180.00. This way I know I have clean stock and I will not be passing this on to anyone else as it's a horrible disease. You would be surprised at how many people do not have this disease in their flocks. Just because a hatchery sells chicks from a MG positive flock doesn't mean the chicks have the disease... it's a slight chance... but a very big chance to take.

All of Moyers birds are tested.... started pullets are not (ask to have them tested and they will for $60.00) VERY nice people to work with. They only deal with three breeds so it makes keeping healthy birds easy.

Also Hoover hatchery is MG NEGATIVE.... From what I hear they test regularly. They carry a lot of good stock and have a decent variety.

 

[pips&peeps]

Broiler, layer and turkey hatcheries test and are MG free because it is a substantial loss for them to have infected birds.

Broilers and turkeys don't gain as much weight when sick which severely limits their profits.

Layer facility birds don't lay as well when infected which also severely limits profits.

But, when a backyard flock gets it, the profitability is not the bottom line. Having a flock that can sustain and maintain during disease outbreaks is.

I really don't think hatcheries go out and collect eggs from sick chickens to hatch. Most eggs infected with MS or MG do not hatch. If eggs don't hatch there is no money. Why shoot yourself in the foot?

I really think MG has been blown out of proportion compared to the other diseases out there. In my opinion there are lots of other diseases that are worse that are not being monitored like ILT, Mareks, Coryza, IBD - aka Gumboro, Newcastle, Fowl Pox and AE.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

A lot of the diseases you have mentioned are vaccinated against.... and if the hatchery doesn't do it you have the option to do so as some vaccines you have to wait until they are 3-5 weeks old.

I see where your coming from but I still think that it's a disservice to not have birds tested and claim to have healthy stock. It's disappointing in my opinion as so many people trust backyard hatcheries... the test are not that expensive to do.

There are a lot of backyard farmers that depend on eggs and meat for their source of income and buy chickens from these hatcheries unaware of the potential hazards that they may run into. When egg production drops that means no money to support the farm... it's not just about big corporations. I understand a lot of people have just a handful of chickens and can weather over an MG outbreak but many people like myself can not. So... I have found a few hatcheries that carry both heritage breeds and commercial to suit my needs. Hopefully if enough people demand it, more hatcheries will follow suit.

Also if MG isn't a big deal how come certain states require you to have an MG negative flock? Virginia is just one... it's not regulated well, but from what I understand some hatcheries can not ship to certain states from what I have read. Some state authorities go as far a telling you that you have to depopulate your flock or you must keep a closed flock unable to sell to anyone outside your farm.

It's a big disease.... and a big problem. People shouldn't just brush this off to make it look like it's not.