Mycoplasma Question: For how long are birds contagious?

[woodlumn2]

Hi all,

For all my searching of the forum and the internet, I have not been able to find a definitive answer to my question: For how long are chickens contagious with mycoplasma? I understand that they are carriers for life, but does that mean that will still spread the disease even if they are not displaying any symptoms?

Unfortunately we recently bought a few pullets to add to our flock. Noticed them sneezing a few days later and then pretty much our whole flock was sick. A couple of birds died. The flock is back to normal now, but I'm worried about introducing new birds in the future...I wouldn't want to perpetuate the spread.

Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Did you get a diagnosis through your state vet?

Mycoplasma is spread from bird to bird through shared feed/water, dust/dander/feathers, droplets, shared equipment and is also one of the few contagious respiratory diseases that can be transmitted to the embryo of hatching eggs.

So, yes, the disease can be spread even when birds are not symptomatic.

Keeping a closed flock (all in/all out) is what some do. They keep their flock until the last one dies off, then wait for a few weeks, then repopulate.
Symptoms can be controlled with antibiotics or on a "maintenance plan" of giving an antibiotic like Tiamulin for 3 days each month. This does not prevent spread, but helps prevent symptoms.

Some cull all and start over. It's really up to you as what to do depending on your chicken keeping goals. Continue to research and read about the disease. It can be common in backyard flocks and some folks may not even realize what they are dealing with so continue to spread the illness by selling chicks and eggs.

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ps044

 

[woodlumn2]

Thanks for your reply, and thanks for the welcome!

We did take our sickest bird to the vet, who is a poultry specialist, and he was "quite sure" it was mycoplasma. He also ruled out gapeworm and other parasites via stool sample. We chose not to spend the hundreds of dollars to test for mycoplasma.

We treated the symptoms with antibiotics. Lots of VetRx, too.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[s678865567]

They are contagious for the rest of their lives. Sad but it's true.