New chicken owner - flock is positive for mycoplasma - what now?

[hems_and_hens]

Hi all! 6 weeks ago, I purchased my first hens. 5 pullets who are now about 18 weeks old, from a farm with a much larger flock. I checked them all for signs of illness when I bought them and they all looked good, but a little while after bringing them home, one got foamy eyes, nasal discharge, and coughing/sneezing. The vet prescribed Tylosin (the powder you dissolve in water) and after a few days, most of her symptoms cleared up (except the occasional sneeze). We also had her tested and we just got the results back, she's "very highly positive" for mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). Eek!

I bought these chickens as pets who are very much loved, with the side benefit of getting eggs. I also don't plan on getting more birds anytime soon. With these things in mind, I'm wondering if anyone has practical experience and advice regarding management of this disease. I would only cull a bird if it was suffering in the long term and management tactics / treatment was not helping. So, folks with MG in your flock -

• Have you noticed a big decrease in egg production?
• Have you had particular success with any medications or less traditional immune support tactics?
• How often do you intervene with meds / how bad do the symptoms get before you treat?
• Any other tips/success stories/warnings would be SO APPRECIATED! Thank you

Edit - I should add that the sick bird was eating/drinking, interacting, excreting normally throughout her symptoms.

 

[Perris]

It sounds like quite a mild case, and if they've come from a farmyard flock in which it's endemic (as seems likely) they are probably all infected, and most if not all will recover from it and show few if any significant impacts from having had it - the occasional sneeze for example. If they're high production breeds from an intensive egg farm, then the outlook may not be so benign.
You might find this useful
https://nadis.org.uk/disease-a-z/poultry/diseases-of-farmyard-poultry/part-1-mycoplasmosis/
Good luck!

 

[hems_and_hens]

Thanks so much! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you're right.

It sounds like quite a mild case, and if they've come from a farmyard flock in which it's endemic (as seems likely) they are probably all infected, and most if not all will recover from it and show few if any significant impacts from having had it - the occasional sneeze for example. If they're high production breeds from an intensive egg farm, then the outlook may not be so benign.
You might find this useful
https://nadis.org.uk/disease-a-z/poultry/diseases-of-farmyard-poultry/part-1-mycoplasmosis/
Good luck!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

So sorry for your first chicken experience starting off like this.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/dise...tion-m-g-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens

https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/77376/file/Mycoplasma-Brochure.pdf

http://www.poultryhub.org/health/disease/types-of-disease/

I haven't yet dealt with it so hopefully the links I posted will help with some pointers and valid in formation more than opinions.

I support immunity through good nutrition not diminished by excess low nutrient treats and never switching to "layer" feed (the minimum needed nutrients to maintain light bodied layers like Leghorn in laying conditions).. and instead using "flock raiser" always with oyster shell on the side once laying.

Since you mention meds.. and they'll be laying eventually here is a couple links with withdrawal times..
Egg residue FARAD

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/33795633.pdf

And one more link that shows POSSIBLE egg quality effects..
Common egg quality problems BYC

Hang in there. I see now you're in Canada.. Many things are different regarding laws and countries.. but when it comes to things like these we sometimes have to look at how things are regulated in other countries than our own as well as all the valid research documents that support their position. Veterinarians are able to prescribe things "off label" differently than our own liability.

Hope your flock thrives and you have a wonderful chicken adventure going forward!

 

[hems_and_hens]

This is helpful, thank you! I'm staying hopeful that they'll have relatively normal lives!

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

So sorry for your first chicken experience starting off like this.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/dise...tion-m-g-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens

https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/77376/file/Mycoplasma-Brochure.pdf

http://www.poultryhub.org/health/disease/types-of-disease/

I haven't yet dealt with it so hopefully the links I posted will help with some pointers and valid in formation more than opinions.

I support immunity through good nutrition not diminished by excess low nutrient treats and never switching to "layer" feed (the minimum needed nutrients to maintain light bodied layers like Leghorn in laying conditions).. and instead using "flock raiser" always with oyster shell on the side once laying.

Since you mention meds.. and they'll be laying eventually here is a couple links with withdrawal times..
Egg residue FARAD

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/33795633.pdf

And one more link that shows POSSIBLE egg quality effects..
Common egg quality problems BYC

Hang in there. I see now you're in Canada.. Many things are different regarding laws and countries.. but when it comes to things like these we sometimes have to look at how things are regulated in other countries than our own as well as all the valid research documents that support their position. Veterinarians are able to prescribe things "off label" differently than our own liability.

Hope your flock thrives and you have a wonderful chicken adventure going forward!