Mycoplasma question

[Esscee]

Hi! I don't have chickens yet, but am actively planning to. I just saw a house finch by my window that looked like it had signs of advanced mycoplasma. I plan to temporarily remove my birdfeeders to encourage the sick bird(s) to move on, and disinfect the feeders with bleach before I hang them again.

How much risk does this pose to chickens? I see a lot of literature saying chickens can pass it on to finches, but can finches pass it on to chickens? I also see that mycoplasma in chickens will reduce their laying rates- but by how much, approximately? I'm not keeping chickens for profit, but I'd still like to get a few eggs.. and if mycoplasma is in my area in the wild birds, I'd just like to plan ahead!

 

[Eggcessive]

What signs did you see that made you think it had mycoplasma? Mycoplasma (MG and MS) are common in some backyard flocks and in commercial poultry, and can be passed from birds to different species of poultry. There is a vaccine available to help prevent MG. I am not sure about MS. Here are some articles to read about mycoplasma:
https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-...tion-m-g-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens

https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034

 

[Esscee]

What signs did you see that made you think it had mycoplasma? Mycoplasma (MG and MS) are common in some backyard flocks and in commercial poultry, and can be passed from birds to different species of poultry. There is a vaccine available to help prevent MG. I am not sure about MS. Here are some articles to read about mycoplasma:
https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-...tion-m-g-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens

https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034

Fantastic! I have an avian vet close by, so I may consult with them before I even get chickens, to see if they think I should get mine vaccinated.
The house finch had extremely swollen eyes/maybe even ruptured or decayed eyeballs on both sides, and seemed mostly blind. I was able to get surprisingly close before he noticed me and flew away. When I looked up the cause of that, "house finch eye disease" was indicated to be a common culprit, which I guess is a layman name for MG.
I can't be sure exactly what it is, of course! I want to try to catch the finch if I can and get him to a wildlife rehabilitator, but the likelihood of me catching him seems low.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, that is mycoplasma gallisepticum. I learned a lot by reading this article, which is scary, since I have house finches that hang around:
https://extension.psu.edu/house-finch-conjunctivitis