I've read that it's possible for Mycoplasma infections to be transmitted vertically from infected hens via their eggs but I can't seem to find any statistics about the odds of this happening. Does anyone know what the actual risk is? Does the hen need to be actively infectious at the time in order to pass it on in the eggs or can a symptomless carrier also transmit the disease this way?
I need to add some new chickens to my flock and I'm trying to find the safest way to do it. My plan will be to keep a rooster as well so I can breed them and keep a closed flock going forward. It seems from what I've been reading that most people don't really worry about it when sourcing hatching eggs but maybe I'm wrong? I want to take the biosecurity seriously because I have a lot of peafowl who I obviously can't afford to risk and also my existing flock of hens who are dropping off in production now but have given so much to us and I want them to live out a happy, healthy life.
I'm in Ireland and as far as I can tell, there are no certified Mycoplasma free sources of birds or hatching eggs here, at least I haven't been able to find any. I'm concerned that there is no risk free option when introducing new birds but I'm looking for the least risky option possible, if anyone can advise what that would be?
Also, are there any other diseases that I should be concerned about introducing via hatching eggs?
I need to add some new chickens to my flock and I'm trying to find the safest way to do it. My plan will be to keep a rooster as well so I can breed them and keep a closed flock going forward. It seems from what I've been reading that most people don't really worry about it when sourcing hatching eggs but maybe I'm wrong? I want to take the biosecurity seriously because I have a lot of peafowl who I obviously can't afford to risk and also my existing flock of hens who are dropping off in production now but have given so much to us and I want them to live out a happy, healthy life.
I'm in Ireland and as far as I can tell, there are no certified Mycoplasma free sources of birds or hatching eggs here, at least I haven't been able to find any. I'm concerned that there is no risk free option when introducing new birds but I'm looking for the least risky option possible, if anyone can advise what that would be?
Also, are there any other diseases that I should be concerned about introducing via hatching eggs?