Not culling flocks that are ill is the reason why we have so much disease in our back yard flocks!!!! There are some people that I know that have kept their chickens, sick, but they practice biosecurity to keep other flocks from getting sick...YET...there is still the wild bird population that will and does transmit diseases to other flocks.
I read, lots, and am one that agrees with culling a sick flock. How else are we going to get a handle on disease on our back yard flocks? If I find out my flock has a disease, I will cull, period!!!
I do not want to be the one to give it to others through irresponsibility! Yes the birds can live with disease, as a greater expense to others and the flock owner. Why would anyone want to keep a flock that will give their disease to other flocks? I really don't understand that way of thinking! I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem!
Az Birds, I agree with Dawg, you, and everyone else that believes culling is the only way we could possibly get a handle on disease in our little flocks.
When I first was getting back into chickens, I had thought about showing them, as I am getting heritage birds in the spring, BUT I read where a person was showing and selling birds with a self reported ocular mareks bird in their flock and there went showing out the window. They are still selling and showing. There are always going to be those people that have the attitude, "not in my flock" or " I can help them and keep them alive" without a thought to other flock keepers. I was shocked to learn how much disease has spread and grown since I was raising chickens and showing. I don't go to fairs, chicken swaps, and practice biosecurity. I started with some hatchery birds and am not to thrilled with them. So far, I am on my second bout with a parasite and am hoping and praying I don't have some hidden disease....I keep watching them like a hawk, to see if they show ANY signs of disease. Yes a wild bird can also bring it in, but that is far more rare than buying birds that are sick already. Even chicks!!! As you are all seeing that some diseases can pass through the eggs.
I wish more people were like most of you posting on here, and doing the research, being responsible when something does pop up and culling and starting over. That would and will be my of dealing with any kind of disease, if I should get one. I do not bring in new birds either. ONLY from reputable breeders and with a good long islolation period even then! Or the reputable hatcheries! That is the only way we are going to rid the back yard flocks of these diseases! IMHO and from all the research I have been reading!
