Sneezing Flock and how to Manage?

[allosaurusrock]

So, I have had my flock for a number of years now. The old owners of my house left their flock, and I added onto it over time. The only problem was that the chickens the old owners left me sneezed, and now so do my additions. I also want to breed for show and sale, and with sneezing chickens, that is problematic. One of my hens used to have bubbly eyes. (While this happened, she was quarantined. I brought her to the vet to make sure it wasn't something harmful, but the vet was honestly unhelpful.) I am now concerned it is Mycoplasma. I am going to get my birds NPIP tested, but I honestly wonder if it is even worth doing that. Am I being just plain irresponsible for even keeping birds that sneeze? Should I just cull them all, quarantine for a few months, and start completely new? Thanks in advance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hopefully someone that has NPIP like @ChickenCanoe and @duluthralphie will chime in with their thoughts.

Contact your state lab about testing. So you can get a definitive answer as to the cause of the sneezing. http://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/

Sneezing with bubbly eyes - makes me think Mycoplasma, but there are several respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

I'm not NPIP nor do I show, but will give you my personal opinion. Get some testing done first, but honestly if you are going to sell, breed and show, then you may want to cull all and start over (depending on test results). Think about the long term impact that having a respiratory illness would have on your breeding plan, show options, NPIP certs and your pocketbook - not to mention your reputation.

I'm very sorry.

 

[allosaurusrock]

Hopefully someone that has NPIP like @ChickenCanoe and @duluthralphie will chime in with their thoughts.

Contact your state lab about testing. So you can get a definitive answer as to the cause of the sneezing. http://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/

Sneezing with bubbly eyes - makes me think Mycoplasma, but there are several respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

I'm not NPIP nor do I show, but will give you my personal opinion. Get some testing done first, but honestly if you are going to sell, breed and show, then you may want to cull all and start over (depending on test results). Think about the long term impact that having a respiratory illness would have on your breeding plan, show options, NPIP certs and your pocketbook - not to mention your reputation.

I'm very sorry.

Thank you. This is why I'm trying to figure everything out before I delve in too deep.

 

[junebuggena]

Sneezing doesn't always mean illness. It could just be dust or particles from feed.

 

[allosaurusrock]

Sneezing doesn't always mean illness. It could just be dust or particles from feed.

I thought so as well, but they do it even when they are not eating, though it is more common then. I am going to follow @Wyorp Rock 's advice and get my a bird tested. I've got a polish rooster I need to get rid of anyway.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I thought so as well, but they do it even when they are not eating, though it is more common then. I am going to follow @Wyorp Rock 's advice and get my a bird tested. I've got a polish rooster I need to get rid of anyway.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[allosaurusrock]

I'm going to call with questions tomorrow. They are closed now.

 

[allosaurusrock]

I called them today. I have been sick recently so I was unable. They said it was best for me to bring a live bird in. I will do that once I am better.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I called them today. I have been sick recently so I was unable. They said it was best for me to bring a live bird in. I will do that once I am better.

I'm sorry to hear you have been sick.
Yes, sometimes labs prefer live birds, so it's good that you have that information. I hope you get better soon, thanks for the update.

 

[chickens really]

Possibly a Respritory issue. Many they can contract, although not a death sentence. Mine have ILT and are carriers for the herpies virus.