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.

 

[Eggcessive]

What state are you in? Is this the state vet lab who gave your diagnosis?

 

[Chickenllady]

What state are you in? Is this the state vet lab who gave your diagnosis?

Tennessee. Yes, the State Lab gave me the diagnosis. I know these are reportable diseases elsewhere.. which is why I am thinking about culling, despite how hard this is.

 

[2ndTink]

I haven't through this same decision last year for a different reason. It's so hard to weigh all the research with advice and trying to find people who have the same diseases and see what they did and how it turned out for them.

I don't know hownlong MS or ILT can remain viable without a host, or what can sanitize it from surfaces.

I'm not familiar with either but here are some things I'd consider:
Do you have any idea where those two came from?
Can you eliminate it from your coops and land?
Will the source of those diseases have a chance to reinfect your flock?
Can you get an ILT vaccine, or what hatcheries provide this?
MS - look into the duration of the protection of the vaccine
Risk of spreading MS or ILT to other flocks - neighbors, feed stores etc

I have a rabbit hole I'll PM you too.