MS/ILT Positive Flock

[Chickenllady]

For a while now I've had sick birds and finally was able to do a necropsy on one. It turns out they not only have MS which is what I had been worried about, but also ILT. I have somewhere around 130 birds (haven't done a headcount recently since spring, have had a handful of broody mom's hatch babies) and occasionally a few will show symptoms. I have tried treating them when symptoms arise, and for some it works - for others, it doesn't, and they may end up passing. I feel horrible. I raise these guys as my pets, so as you can imagine this is difficult for me. While I want to keep my flock, I also hate to know that they could be or are in pain/sick and are carriers for life.

My question, I guess, would be -- if you were in my situation, what would you do? Wait this out, keep treating, don't add to the flock and wait for them to pass of old age, or cull? Is it more responsible for me to cull, knowing they could be in pain/suffering, than to keep them? I want to take the best route for the chickens, not for me.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Personally I would let it ride because the upcoming generations would show greater resistance (I think. I could be wrong) and if there are breeds that are more resistant consider adding those to the flock. I would also consider culling the ones that are obviously not going to make it once you’re sure that is the case.

 

[dawg53]

Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a virus and there arnt any treatments. Mycoplasma Synoviae (MS) is a bacterial infection which requires antibiotics to treat it indefinitely. Both diseases are highly contagious as you know.
It would be in your best interest to cull your flock and either bury them deep, or incinerate them.
Soil will be contaminated as well.
I'm very sorry you're having to go through this, it is heartbreaking and I wish you the best.