Questions regarding Npip

[Porchella]

We would like to start selling eggs/chicks, but I suspect some of our birds might be carrying MG.(or it's another respiratory thing, I don't know) We free range, so it's possible they've picked it up from wild birds.

If birds are found to carry MG- are you required to cull them all? Or can you just not sell them/eggs/chicks and use preventative antibiotics to help prevent spreading?

I worry because it seems a lot of the chicks we hatch end up with slightly crackly lungs for a few days after hatching, that said we've never lost one to respiratory problems. (And I've definitely noticed the same thing in chicks we've purchased from Npip certified breeders/hatcheries.) Also we've never actually lost an adult bird to a respiratory issue even when they're under massive stress.

Is there any way you can tell if your flock carries MG? Asides from a blood test?

-Thanks

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Hopefully someone will step in with practical experience rather than "head" knowledge if there are any variations to the listed protocols. (Be sure to check your state standards as well).

I can say that NPIP is considered an "all in or all out" type of program and that you do not use infected birds for eggs or chicks or sale of adults.

The accepted test for MG is a specific blood test which you would have conducted on your flock. There are procedures listed of what to do with an infected flock. My understanding is to cull or isolate from your breeding program as the whole point of NPIP is breeding birds who are free of the particular diseases it covers.

NPIP certification does require a certain flock size and regular testing.

I'll link the manual below from the USDA. (It's the 2014 edition, I don't know if there is one newer).
https://www.poultryimprovement.org/documents/ProgramStandardsAugust2014.pdf
See page 18 for your specific question on MG.
LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I found the direct link to the USDA NPIP regs...your answers are there:
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrie...y=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=9y1.0.1.7.63#se9.1.145_15

LofMc