Need experienced MG/CRD Flock help

Mycoplasma gallisepticum is a species of mycoplasma that can cause CRD. It sounds like you don't know whether that's exactly what you have there or not. The only way to know would be lab testing etc. There are many poultry respiratory diseases that can look pretty similar.

Those that recover will pick up in time with good food, fresh air sunshine etc. After antibiotics I like to use probiotics and give a vitamin supplement to peaky birds in recovery.

If you have got MG there, recovered birds will be carriers particularly at times of stress. Any new bird that comes into your flock will eventually get exposed and become sick. Then it will go through the same process that your current birds have just been through. MG is one of those infections that can pass on vertically through the egg. Chicks can be born with it. You can give antibiotics to hatched chicks over a few weeks after hatch and I think there's a recommended program of weeks on/weeks off antibiotics to deal with that.

How can/do I introduce new birds or should I hatch within?

If you hatch from within, I think it would be too late for vaccination. If bringing birds in from outside, you could ensure they were vaccinated, however remember that you're not sure what your own birds have. That makes it a bit of a guess.

The only way to get rid of MG infections is to depopulate, disinfect, and then start again. In a backyard situation I wouldn't do that either though.

 

Quote:I think it all depends on what you are willing to do.. if you don't want to depopulate then you can't ever sell hatching eggs or birds and any birds you bring into your flock will have a chance they will also get sick. Since you aren't really certain about what they do have, it's hard to say what to do.

Personally I would seriously consider depopulating given the length of time this has been going on and the number you've lost already. However, I do understand that these are pets and you do care about them and do want to do what you can for them. It's a very tough situation to be in and I wish you the best with it and I hope everything works out for the best.

Keep us updated!!

 

I too have a CRD (chronic respiratory disease) infected flock, so I may be of assistance. However, know that all infected birds are carriers for life now, so you will be managing this disease until you cull all of your birds, wait for a period of time, and start over.

1. Vitamins, good nutrition, sunshine, and a low-stress environment.

2. You won't be able to introduce new birds without risking them getting sick. If you do that, be prepared to treat with Tylan as soon as symptoms arise if they do. Introductions will most likely cause a flare up because of the stress, so they'll probably all need to be treated. Hatching from within exposes them at a younger age and might overwhelm their systems. I would brood separately and introduce at 12 weeks.

3. Advice? Don't add more birds, and NEVER sell hatching eggs, chicks, or birds. If you hatch eggs and get extra birds, you have to keep them or cull them. Also, always have antibiotic and a quarantine pen available in case you need it.

4. Vaccines are useless if you don't know what kind to get. There's no point.

Good luck! It's hard and stressful, but very doable. My birds are pets too, and so far I only have had one that had a flare up so far