Thoughts on culling due to resp illnesses

[MaritimeFlock]

I seen a post suggestion culling any chickens that start to show signs of suspected respiratory illnesses. My had a hen and rooster recover from an respiratory illness a long time ago. We isolated for four to six weeks for recovery . I am not sure if the others were infected though. Anyway, everyone is doing good now. They are living happy healthy lives. But what are your thoughts? If this were ever to happen again to another chicken should we cull?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

If you were successful in saving them, I would not cull. If nothing else, they are likely to be resistant to such in the future.

At the end of the day, the only question that really matters is whether or not the effort was worth it to you???

Now, if the respiratory illness is AI (even LPAI)? **I** would cull. But my circumstances aren't most.

There is no one size fits all answer. Its a spectrum of responses to a spectrum of situations and a range of potential diagnosis.

 

[MaritimeFlock]

Yes. I would cull too if Mareks or Influenza!

 

[Sueby]

I had a respiratory illness years ago & chose to not cull. I am very diligent with anyone that comes over that has chickens, they are not allowed anywhere near my birds. I had a neighbor with chickens & I would not go over there. I also cull any problem birds instead of rehoming. And, good practice despite, I have coop shoes that don’t get worn anywhere else. Oh, & I keep Tylan on hand just in case but haven’t had a recurrence in years.

I had a bully once that I would have liked to rehome, but had to cull instead, other than that it hasn’t really been an issue. All those girls are long gone & I believe my flock free from it, but still choose to live by the above guidelines just to be safe. I feel like most of it just good practice anyway.