So my flock has MG... What should I do now?

[kellyn]

Got my birds NPIP tested and got the results back. 15/15 samples Mycoplasma Gallisepticum positive and negative for the other four.

I have 50+ chickens, most of laying age, 60+ ducks(34 of laying age, although only 19 have ever laid eggs) and 8 goslings... I WAS planning on breeding them but that's certainly out of the question now. I pulled the plug on about fourty viable duck eggs in an experimental incubator that was working marvelously... Two weeks ago I was averaging btwn 4-6 eggs a day. Two MONTHS ago I was getting 12-14 a day. NOW I'm lucky if I get 1-2 duck eggs and maybe 3 chicken eggs. Loss of production is always a reason to be concerned.

I'm very considering culling the whole flock(I certainly can't afford to feed all that w/out selling chicks & ducklings). I have a friend of a friend who offered to show me how and help me with the killing part, and burn the carcasses...But I've had many of my chickens for over four years(some for 7) and idk if it'll be worth it to cull all the poultry, because I've read(on this site and others) that it can potentially be transmitted BACK to the flock from wild birds? There are a lot of wild birds that are in the area(although I haven't seen them interact with my fowl you can never be sure) and crows I think may be eating my eggs... I don't know how many years I've had this problem, but I also suspect Infectious Coryza(the reason why I got them tested is bc I was hoping someone would point me to an avian vet to test for that).

So! The big question.... If I decide to do a full cull, should I be paranoid of the wild bird population?

I also read on here that 85-90% of flocks are MG+ and many don't even know it... Is that true? Need professional opinions here, thankyou in advance!

 

[dawg53]

There always will be the possibility of wild birds introducing something to our flocks. It can happen in a controlled environment such as in commercial opertions via contaminated clothing, shoes etc...then depopulation is the only way to eliminate it. I have read that MG is prevelent in most backyard flocks from reliable sources. There are various strains of the disease, mild to severe symptoms. MG is passed through the egg, coryza isnt. Sometimes birds have both diseases at the same time. I would cull my birds if this happened, no matter what age they are. I would not want them spreading the disease(s) nor the suffering they incur, not to mention the $$$ spent treating sick birds for life that'll never be cured. MG can be treated with denagard, but birds will remain carriers and a closed flock would have to be maintained for the life of the infected birds. Very strict biosecurity would have to be maintained...that's alot of work. Denagard will not treat coryza. Sulfadimethoxine or sulmet in conjunction with tylan injections will treat coryza. See how much meds you'll be pumping into them, money as well? Then once all are culled, everything has to be disinfected and a waiting period of several months before repopulation...primarily due to coryza course time.
No one can advise you to cull your birds or treat your birds...you have to make that decision on your own...and it's a tough one.

 

[crazyhen]

I am so sorry you have this problem. It is usually brought in by infected birds from the outside. Water fowl esp. It can be very devistating. I lost my first flock to it. It is painful to watch. I had the flock destroyed. They can be eaten. No harm to the people who eat them. They should not be used to raise baby chicks from. The babies would probably get it through the eggs. It can last for 3 or 4 months in the soil and feces of infected material without a host bird. I cleanned with clorox very strong solution and waited the amt. of time nec. Then I started a closed flock from eggs. They were from someone with a closed flock. I am careful and have my flock tested frequently. I have never had that type of problem again. I originally got it I think from visiting water fowl and a rooster that came from next door. He had a fight with my roo. Now I keep my flock in a fenced area. Again I know the heart ache this caused me and feel deeply for your problem.

 

[kellyn]

Thankyou, I think it would be for the best to just restart... I have a relative with it also(we both brought it into our flocks from auctions) so I'll give her the birds I can't bear to kill... They actually have very few signs of it, aside from the occasional sneeze and inexistent egg production... I have two seperate flocks, and 1 I think came down with the Coryza(took two months but finally cleared it up) I gave them probably 3 shots of Tylan 200 and had them drinking Sulmet.

Also, is it safe to eat their eggs when not on meds? Ty

 

[dawg53]

There's a 10 day withdrawal period after using sulmet. I guess you've finished that long ago. Otherwise the eggs are safe to eat.

 

[dawg53]

Just for your info; once your birds are gone from your property, mycoplasma only stays in the environment no longer than about 3 days. Coryza on the otherhand can stay in the environment for a longer period as I mentioned earlier. Here's a link:
http://www.peafowl.org/ARTICLES/15/
It might be best to to use Oxine for disinfecting purposes. Also, when acquiring new birds, it's always best to quarantine newbies away from an existing flock for 6 weeks to prevent what you're going through. It'll give you time to watch for problems and treat or cull the new birds.
I know this is a big blow for you and heartbreaking...I'm sorry you're going through this and I wish you the best.

 

[kellyn]

K just got sone good news. Or, well better than it was. . . My ducks may not be sick with the MG. I guess it's just the chickens...

 

[crazyhen]

Even a 6 wk quarantine period will not guarantee that a chicken will not have mg/ms and give it to your flock. They may not have an active case and still be a carrier. It is very hard to keep a clean flock.

 

[dawg53]

Even a 6 wk quarantine period will not guarantee that a chicken will not have mg/ms and give it to your flock. They may not have an active case and still be a carrier. It is very hard to keep a clean flock.

You're absolutely correct. Newly quarantined carrier birds (or any birds for that matter,) normally show stress when moving from one location to another, or caged in quarantine in unfamiliar surroundings, different type of feed etc. During these times of stress, symptoms usually show themselves.
Like you mentioned though, there are no guarantees. There are even other diseases that have longer course times than 6 weeks. But most show themselves in the 6 week timeframe.

 

[kellyn]

Yes I know that . Hence, why I'm only going to buy from reputable NPIP breeders in my area. Thankyou all for the help.