Opinions of closed or open flocks.

[GardenerGal]

Spook,
Ditto for Marek's disease. The herpes virus is universal, not just in birds but in humans. We have herpes that are specific to each (e.g. H. simplex and H. zoster in humans). I remember reading in Gail Demerow's chicken health manual that you should just assume that all of your birds have been exposed to Marek's, because the virus travels in the wind.

With that thought, I've always had my hatcherybought chicks vaccinated for Marek's, and whenever possible have my broodies hatch and raise eggs and chicks (instead of using incubator and brooder) so the chicks are exposed and develop immunity from their mothers from the get-go.

We can't prevent everything from getting to our flocks, and paranoia does no good. There is a point where commonsense hygiene meets commonsense "openness" so we can keep the flow of genetic diversity going in our breeders.

That's what made me decide to keep a closed flock for my IC-exposed birds, but keep a carefully open Nankin flock so I can bring in breeding stock.

 

[spook]

I too agree whole hearted on both sides California chick. I do have a show bird line here and would love to show one bird. Just one. But I don't know if I'm ready to show, from washing a chicken to expose others to my (assumed-not tested) MG to someones with the Merrick's vaccine (for example garden girl) and the many other contagious health risks including human error and teasing !
It is an interesting subject, I find everyone's answer to be interesting and sincere.

Thank you everyone for allowing us to see "your" side of the choices we have. A lot of learning going on.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

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Did he mean you would have to find someone who raised turkeys and chickens together?

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

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Ditto for me too. I would like to add Ive never lost a bird to anything other than a predator. I do pay close attention to the birds I buy, before I buy them.

 

[spook]

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Did he mean you would have to find someone who raised turkeys and chickens together?

He suggested that I find eggs to hatch from turkeys that have resided on the same property mingling together, and then the antibodies would be passed down to egg, then chick. This was for the mycoplasmas. Apparently turkeys are one of the 2 types of birds that are tested for MG as it produces the sinusitis that can harm them causing the hatcheries to reimburse or exchange birds. When we get them (those that own poultry) they can become ill.

Hope I explained this - my eyes are sagging!

 

[ninny]

Do eggs bring in bad stuff? I really want to start my silkies again but whats the best way?

 

[spook]

Eggs can bring in immunity to many diseases or conditions. Unfortunately immunity also can mean carrier that can affect any birds that have not been exposed.
Most birds carry the Mycoplasma's, this can be the CRD, and "colds". Treat only the secondary infections and this is normal. The more you get to know about this, the more you are aware and know what to look for. It is matter of fact, wild birds carry it so with something like that, the immunity that is passed transovarian (through the eggs). Seemingly most of us see a cough, clear nasal pass, different noticed illness. Some say cull, some want closed flocks meaning there birds are the only reproducing, no outside eggs. Some have no problems and have open flocks, allowing "nature" to run its course or tend to healthy birds.
Hope I answered your question, Have a good night.

 

[Kim_NC]

Hmmm. We don't fit either open or closed completely. I suppose I'd call us....partially closed.

We sell POL pullets, chicks and hatching eggs. We're licensed in NC to do both, includes NPIP.

Because we're still starting up breeding stock for some breeds, we have brought in a couple purchased birds to increase bloodlines. We quarantine them for 3-4 weeks before they join the others.

We bring in chicks from hatcheries or reputable breeders. And we bring in hatching eggs. We need these sources to start enough chicks to satisfy our POL pullet sales. These pullets remain in closed flocks until they're sold.

All groups of chicks are confined for the first 4 weeks anyway - in affect, quarantined. I also have hatchery chicks vaccinated for Marek's since its so common.

We don't show - so, no risks there. Never bought a bird at auction, sale barn, flea market, etc. Never will - too many variables.

We have shoes that we wear only in our chicken coops - separate pairs for quarantine areas. We don't allow other folks in our coops.

 

[chookchick]

Hey Spook, thanks for all the info!
I know you are tired, but for the life of me I cannot follow the last post. Could you possibly edit it just a bit in the morning? I see that most of that info is a repetition of the info from "Chickens Do Not Catch Colds" in which you say that many, perhaps most of chickens carry some or all mycoplasmas, waiting to be activated by stress, etc...is this correct?

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

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Did he mean you would have to find someone who raised turkeys and chickens together?

He suggested that I find eggs to hatch from turkeys that have resided on the same property mingling together, and then the antibodies would be passed down to egg, then chick. This was for the mycoplasmas. Apparently turkeys are one of the 2 types of birds that are tested for MG as it produces the sinusitis that can harm them causing the hatcheries to reimburse or exchange birds. When we get them (those that own poultry) they can become ill.

Hope I explained this - my eyes are sagging!

Thank you for explaining that! I asked because we have turkeys, chickens, and ducks, and we let everyone free range and mingle together all day. This information was not only interesting to me, but helpful, as everyone told us we couldn't raise our turkeys with our chickens because they (turkeys) would develop blackhead and die. We have had turkeys for the last 3 years and we haven't had any get sick from being raised with our chickens.