Pullet with closed pussed eyes

[Sierra pachie bars]

I also bought three other hens from same person. None of them show any signs. Eyes are clear and no problems. My friend also bought three or was it four ? And none of them show any signs either. Either way I am sad but I did what I needed to do to protect my flock. It is very important to me they are health & happy. My hubby made me Pad Thai and rice for dinner, so I feel a bit better. Thank you for advice you guys are awesome.

 

[onthespot]

mmmmMMMMMmmm! can I come over for consolation dinner?

 

[speckledhen]

You really have to decide what to do, search your options. If it's flock-wide, then you can either cull the entire flock, disinfect and start over, OR choose to close the flock, meaning no more come in, none ever leave, till they are all gone. That is a valid choice in some cases, however, in some states, certain diseases are reportable and the state will decide what you will do.

I want to reiterate that my personal choice is not to have a weak flock and to cull for all respiratory disease. I'm not saying it's not one of them most difficult things to do. I'm saying that a flock that has a weakened immune system is not one I want to keep.
If you have carrier birds, they will forever be a threat to other birds. Even if you close your flock, if you are not careful about your shoes, etc, you can track it to the feedstore, friends' flocks, etc.
If you do what spook has decided, it's a valid choice, but you still must be careful not to be an avenue of infection for others.

MrsSmith, I applaud your proactive choice here. I do truly believe for this bird, it was the right one, hard as it was.

 

[speckledhen]

So, wait Cyn... the antibiotics don't take away the germs and viruses like it does with people? Other animals recover- hogs and cattle for example. You think I should get rid of the Silkies? Like it will come back anyway?

Antibiotics never take away viruses, ever. Some of these viruses chickens get are herpes-type viruses that always lurk in the system. Antibiotics prevent secondary bacterial infections while the bird's immune system is compromised, is all. Remember, mammals are different from avian species! If I get a cold (chickens dont get colds like us), and I recover, I am recovered, period. I am not a carrier, unable to live with other humans for fear of infecting them. Birds are very different.​

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

Well I am glad I have several areas to keep different groups of chickens. My main coop has my older hens in it, so all my chickens are in same yard. This sick pullet was not sneezing or coughing etc. Only issue was eyes. But I don't want to take any chances.
I was watching my girls this afternoon play in the straw, and I felt I did the right thing to protect them. Those bright happy eyes, they can see me from my kitchen window so they like to watch me.

My family is city folk so they now call me chicken killer, I always thought I would marry a cowboy I ended up marrying a computer geek

 

[spook]

Keep in mind folks that Speckledhen speaks for her own flock, right or wrong, I will not argue that as we have had our own conversation regarding these type issues.
When these birds have Mycoplasia type infections, they do not get rid of it. Its like Herpes in humans- the cold sores on our lips. It is contagious forever, although our bodies are able to build up immunities, when you are contagious, you don't kiss someone.
At the same time, if you was to get a secondary infection, then you would treat it, like we do our birds (terramycin). If they have a cough, sneeze, and no real wheezing, keep a close eye, separate them feed them good food, spoil them a little and when they clear up, swollen eyes, and symptoms, then toss them back in. More then likely your other girls have already been exposed. Some birds never show signs, that is why I feel this is a silent killer of our poultry flocks. Even if we eradicate every one of the chickens in the country, our soil, wild birds are contagious and then we have it all over again from the "healthy" stock that comes from these hatchery eggs and also from a egg swap. Yes, we BYCers are spreading this to each other from non-tested birds. NPIP does not cover these other diseases, so a NPIP flock does not mean a whole lot at this point. NPIP is for Pullorium/typhoid, it is mostly non-existent! The job was done by the testing, yet now we have further evolved into the next disease's that need eradication.
I feel like a broken record, but this is running like wild fire, vaccines may be the answer, but it will create a contagious nation.
If you show or take birds to the fair, consider them infected with any or all of these conditions, this is where these virus' reared their ugly heads.
Practice BioSecurity- that is not just for the new birds! This is where you place a boundry around your hen pen, if you mix a bird with anothers birds, it may not show signs of health concerns, but once you bring it in, boom, guess what...you are now ill, especially from commercial layers that have had all their shots- they are immune and spreading the things that they have been innoculized for. This is why the term All in All Out, so you do not cross contaminate.
I'm sorry, I am so amazed at how many folks are screaming sneeze, cough, chronic respritory disease, mycoplasia G. or S.
Let us spread the word!

 

[speckledhen]

Hey, at least I'm not the only "broken record" here, spook, LOL!

Yes, I always tell you that this is my personal choice, what I advocate doing or not doing. Like spook, I want people to really get, once and for all, that these are NOT simple colds the chickens have. Avian species are not the same as mammalian species, in their anatomy and their diseases.

spook, thanks for keeping on investigating and showing what you've found. We'll all learn something from your efforts.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

I was reluctant at first, then I came around to the thinking that Speckledhen advocates.

I do not use antibiotics unless it is life or death and I KNOW it is a secondary infection that the antibiotics could help. Otherwise I let the virus take its course and in some cases my birds.

I have a CLOSED FLOCK. NO one is coming in and NO ONE is going out.

I can not afford to have my flock disimated nor be the one who allows this to happen to some one elses flock.

I just hate it that I have a problem. I am almost 90 percent sure it is CRD or MG and the complications that go along with this disease.

The cold weather has been a real problem for my flock. The disease rears its ugly head when the birds get stressed out.

I am trying so very hard to keep them all alive, comfortable and happy. The weather make this darn near impossible.

 

[speckledhen]

rimshoes, I sure want you to be able to get through this winter with your birds still around. It certainly is a stressor, this frigid weather, frozen waterers, etc. I hate that you have this problem, but you are handling it very well, IMO. So far, so good with mine--never had respiratory issues, but with the wild birds and all the chickens people own in the vicinity, my time may be coming. I pray it doesn't, but all we can do is what you are doing. None in, none out and keep 'em as stress-free as possible.

 

[spook]

First, Thank You very much Speckledhen, awareness is what we need right now. I did find a hatchery in Maine that has been free from any of these conditions.
Second, I am not so sure I have Mycoplasma S. instead I believe it is a CRD, which is a virus/bacteria that a day or two showing signs does not warrent antibiotics, when you notice the secondary symptoms of infection is when you give the full charge meds.
What scares me is that it comes from animals, feed bags and wild birds. UGH. Then most breeders and hatcheries have these issues. And we thought that they would be the ones to trust.
So if you don't have it now...you may if you all out, and all in can have this, meaning your soil can become toxic. (another UGH)
So, needless to say, I don't let my girls out except to eat a tad bit of snow, other then that, they stay in and on their porch. I also give them the fat and finish feed, higher protein and fat. Giving them just 1 1/2 or so of this each morning in hot water(not scalding) helps keep their energy up and its liquid in at the same time.
These are some of the things that I choose to do to keep everyone happy and healthy, also scratch feed in the afternoon to perk them up. Refilling your waterers atleast 2 times a day is good, but if you turn lights on, get a heated water dish. Its not easy but hang in there.