Need advice please

[wilsonfarm416]

So I have 5 Original birds that are 12 weeks old. 2 weeks ago I bought 2 birds from a lady brought them home and realized they were sick(nasal and drainage sneezing). I called the lady and she gave me 2 different birds plus one for free. I was weary so I treated them with tetracycline treated water for 7 days and the new birds have been fine. I never introduced the old or the new birds to the original flock. My question is how long should I observe and segregate the new birds before I can introduce them to the old flock?

 

[KellyHM]

At least a month, although some diseases can be carried forever without clinical signs (like MG), so you may want to have them tested before introducing them.

 

[wilsonfarm416]

what is MG and how do I get them tested?

 

[KellyHM]

Not sure where you live, but usually you can call your state ag department and they'll do it for you, or a veterinarian. MG = Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (hopefully I spelled that right).

 

[wilsonfarm416]

I live in Brighton colorado. Thanks for your info I really appreciate it.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Congratulations for observing biosecurity protocol! If you introduce the 2 birds that you got from that lady to your other birds, even though you treated them with tetracycline....your other birds will get infected. Those 2 birds are carriers of whatever disease thay have and always will be. I recommend that you keep them seperated permanently, or cull. There is no telling which respiratory disease they have, there are many. I suspect MG as stated by KellyHM as well. Here's a link to respiratory diseases and a link to MG:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034
Edited: Both these links are down right now, but should be available later.

 

[wilsonfarm416]

well I am calling the lady who gave them to me and she can give me my money back and cull them her self! Thank you for the helpful info. I am so glad I didn't expose my original flock because I just love those girls. Hey I have another question this one is about my original girls. Some of them have really runny poop any suggestions?

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
That lady might sell the birds to someone else spreading the disease. Your choice what to do though. The runny poop could be caused by the heat. Here's a link to the poop chart to compare samples:
http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

 

[wilsonfarm416]

true Dawg53 I will cull them and prevent the spread. The lady was claiming to be selling them for 4H and I will be contacting the local 4H people and reporting her. I have connections in the 4H so I will be getting to the bottom of this. It is just a shame that people can be so careless. With the recent passing of new laws in this state there has been a surg of chicken sellers and buyers and a lot of people are just in it for the money and don't care about the birds it is just a shame.