To cull or not to cull

[LizGio]

Mycoplasma g. in a new rescue flock of 6 hens and 1 roo. I've spent a lot of time trying to mend the many ailments of these neglected birds. I've been reading even after treating they can still spread the disease. I have a pre-existing flock of 20 some healthy birds. I don't want separate flocks. I like to free range my birds. I haven't let the original flock out of their run since getting the new birds. If feel horrible because I wanted to give these neglected birds the life they deserve but I don't want to infect my big flock. Ahh

 

[azygous]

You've already made the decision. You just need an easy painless way to carry it out.

Crate the infected birds up and drive them to your nearest butchering and dressing business. They will cull, butcher and package the chickens for your freezer.

 

[K0k0shka]

This is a very personal decision based heavily on opinion, and people are going to have different, and strong, opinions on it. Not sure how helpful that can be. Some people like to give every animal a chance, even sick/deformed/neglected/doomed animals. Other people prefer to cull. With chickens, it's not like adopting a neglected dog. Chickens have a lot of infectious diseases they spread to each other that can be lethal, so biosecurity is a bigger concern with them than with mammals. If it were about dogs or cats, I'd say give them a chance, but with chickens, it's not worth it. It's too logistically complicated and difficult, and too risky.

 

[LizGio]

You've already made the decision. You just need an easy painless way to carry it out.

Crate the infected birds up and drive them to your nearest butchering and dressing business. They will cull, butcher and package the chickens for your freezer.

Yes I just need someone to tell me it's the right thing to do

 

[azygous]

It's the right thing to do. You've proven to us and yourself that you've done everything in your power to help these chickens. It's not shameful to admit these chickens have no healthy future. You are also remembering your responsibilities to your home flock.

 

[Isadora]

Yes I just need someone to tell me it's the right thing to do

Not everyone will agree it's right, but you're the one who is the caretaker at this point so whether it's "right" or not is up to you. Personally, I would cull and would have no bad feelings about it.

 

[Sally PB]

Not everyone will agree it's right, but you're the one who is the caretaker at this point so whether it's "right" or not is up to you. Personally, I would cull and would have no bad feelings about it.

Personally, I'd cull and feel awful for a while. I'd look at my existing flock and realize I made the best decision. It would still hurt, but I'd know that I did the best I could with what I had to deal with at the time.

Good luck. This is not easy.

 

[LizGio]

Thanks everyone

 

[Sally PB]

Feel free to post/vent/cry/whatever about it afterward. We're here for you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Mycoplasma g. in a new rescue flock of 6 hens and 1 roo. I've spent a lot of time trying to mend the many ailments of these neglected birds.

Sorry you face this!

How was it diagnosed or confirmed? How long have you been treating them and how far is your quarantine space from your previously existing flock?

This was an interesting pamphlet..

https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/77376/file/Mycoplasma-Brochure.pdf