Questions about respiratory disease

[bhawk-23]

Infectious bronchitis can be hard to test for. It is a limited disease, lasting about a month, so it might be that it needs to be tested when symptoms are worst. IB virus can be responsible for many of the egg shell problems that we sometimes see. It also may be responsible for some hens having reproductive disorders. When my flock had IB going through it, most all eventually got it, and they sneezed every few minutes, but pretty much acted normal. I had to wait at least a year from the last sick bird before adding or hatching chicks, so as not to keep the disease from passing on. They can be carriers of IB for 5 months up to a year, depending on which source you read. I saw a couple of wrinkled egg shells, but later, many other shell problems. Here is a good article with examples of the many egg shell problems that IB can cause:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

Did the egg shells ever return back to normal? I feel like I am getting more abnormal ones after this last stressful period. I was just weeding out the few abnormal ones but now I'm having to search for the nice ones to give away.

Are they still safe to give away as long as the hens are healthy and no antibiotics in the system?

Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

The eggs are safe to give away. I only saw wrinkled egg shells for a short time after IB. Some of the hens had some abnormal egg shells and some eventually stopped laying. IB can cause later problems with both the oviduct and kidneys.

 

[bhawk-23]

The eggs are safe to give away. I only saw wrinkled egg shells for a short time after IB. Some of the hens had some abnormal egg shells and some eventually stopped laying. IB can cause later problems with both the oviduct and kidneys.

We assumed IB back in Feb/Mar but I had to take a girl to the vet this week and she tested for mycoplasma. Waiting for results still. Not really sure if I should prefer one sickness over the other for the long term effects Glad to be confident they are safe though, thank you!