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How do you test for MG...is it blood test? If so, how does one draw blood?
When a chicken is infected with MG, the infection is of long duration. In the period after infection, the organism is present in the respiratory tissues in high levels and is shed into the environment and eggs. After several weeks, the level of infection and shed of the organism decreases. However, the infection persists in the flock indefinitely and the chickens may shed the organism intermittently, especially following a period of stress. This characteristic makes elimination of MG extremely difficult in multi-age breeder and laying complexes. As MG-clean pullets, raised in single-age farms and in isolation, are brought onto the complex, they are often exposed to the organism at probably the worst possible time-- at the onset of production. This cycle of spread continues in a complex with new flock introductions. All birds must leave the property in an all in and all out function, for premises to be considered clean and free from MG. One of te things not considered by some is wild birds. They can get MG from birds in the yard and be carriers and reinfect a new batch of birds.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
I draw blood out of the wing from 30%-100% of my adult birds for testing. If you look at the wing on the inside you can see really nice veins. They are very easy to get blood from. I took a class threw the NPIP program. I also swab mouths. I test right here for several things with a drop of blood, and I can send off tests or have them come here. I belong to the NPIP program and can request at no cost the State vet come for testing and drawing blood if she thinks it is necessary..The best is three birds sent in for testing. They take them live or in a plastic bag. ($77.00 for total work up).
