Turkey eye/respiratory issue

[Jwwood1985]

Ok so we have 4 turkey poults. I’ll be honest, they were a little over due to have the bedding changed in their brooder. I went to go move them to the larger brooder and noticed that 2 of my turkeys had swollen eyes and were sneezing. All had good appetites, drinking well etc

I am worried sick about it being an MG infection. I really don’t want to have to cull my flock but I don’t want to spread the disease either if so.

Just for a note: There were 10 chicks in the same brooder who all exhibited no signs of disease. Is there any chance this could be something other than MG?

How many flocks have MG? Is it normal?

I have the turkeys isolated and I’m watching for symptoms in my chicks, they all seem to be right as rain. Whatever it is is confined to the brooders in the garage at this point but that would mean I’d have to cull 14 birds :-(.

 

[Myrshine]

Most common infectious diseases to cause respiratory infection symptoms are Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG or also known as Chronic Respiratory Disease), Coryza, or even Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILV). I’ll tell you the unfortunate truth about respiratory infections in chickens- if you don’t believe me, look it up for yourself. Unfortunately, unlike us humans, antibiotics will never cure the disease of affected or exposed birds. All your infected birds will remain carriers for life, spreading the diseases to non-infected birds through feces. If you introduce new birds to your existing flock, the newbies will become infected. If you hatch eggs, MG passes through eggs into the chick, if it survives. Most, of not, all poultry respiratory diseases are reportable to all 50 USA states. You must maintain a closed flock. No birds out, no new birds in. Do not sell nor give away eggs to be hatched. Your other option is to cull your entire flock and disinfect everything. Your infected bird(s) will remain immune-comprimised for life. It’ll resurface within times of stress. Here’s more information about the MOST COMMON disease in backyard flocks: http://www.gapoultrylab.org/wp-cont...coplasma handout for Backyard Flocks 4-12.pdf

 

[Jwwood1985]

Most common infectious diseases to cause respiratory infection symptoms are Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG or also known as Chronic Respiratory Disease), Coryza, or even Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILV). I’ll tell you the unfortunate truth about respiratory infections in chickens- if you don’t believe me, look it up for yourself. Unfortunately, unlike us humans, antibiotics will never cure the disease of affected or exposed birds. All your infected birds will remain carriers for life, spreading the diseases to non-infected birds through feces. If you introduce new birds to your existing flock, the newbies will become infected. If you hatch eggs, MG passes through eggs into the chick, if it survives. Most, of not, all poultry respiratory diseases are reportable to all 50 USA states. You must maintain a closed flock. No birds out, no new birds in. Do not sell nor give away eggs to be hatched. Your other option is to cull your entire flock and disinfect everything. Your infected bird(s) will remain immune-comprimised for life. It’ll resurface within times of stress. Here’s more information about the MOST COMMON disease in backyard flocks: http://www.gapoultrylab.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Mycoplasma handout for Backyard Flocks 4-12.pdf

Ok so I get that, but if I have it contained to the birds in the garage brooders, do I need to cull my outside flock as well?

 

[Myrshine]

Ok so I get that, but if I have it contained to the birds in the garage brooders, do I need to cull my outside flock as well?

Not unless they were exposed.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you try to get some testing for MG through your vet, state poultry lab, or through a private lab Zoologix in California. The last one sends you swabs to collect samples and send them back for the pcr test. They can test for MG, or for $90 they can test for 8 different respiratory diseases with a respiratory panel.

Ammonia odors, poor ventilation, dust, or mold can all promote respiratory infections. Tylosin, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and Denagard are common antibiotics possibly available online for pigeons, to treat symptoms of MG. MG can be brought in on new birds from other flocks or breeders, wild birds, and can be spread on shoes, clothes, etc.

Here is a link for the Zoologix lab:
http://www.zoologix.com/avian/index.htm

Here is a list of state poultry vets, and those and your local vet may be less expensive:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm