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There is really no cure for these things, so to speak. You are actually in an excellent position to start a new business with your birds. Honestly, since you have a business and not a small one, I would cull and start over. It would be incredibly difficult, but honestly the only way you can be sure it won't start up again. I am trying the vaccinating route, its a bit of a gamble since we might still infect our new chicks. We are small scale and if this doesn't work, well at least it isn't my business.
We would then choose to cull and start over. I would disinfect your old coop and anything and everything that touched your birds with bleach or oxine. Next, when you get your birds go with day old chicks from a hatchery or Very reputable breeder. Make sure they are NPIP and ask if they also test for MG. They might not, but big bonus if they do. Do not buy from Craig's list, poultry swaps/auctions, or the guy down the road. No matter how much they assure you that the birds are healthy!! The other good option is to hatch your own. These are the best ways to get birds and not bring in a disease. I personally reccomend that you never buy an adult bird. (ever) They can look perfectly healthy and be carrying a disease. Do not go by how the bird looks. Your next option if you want is to vaccinate for the more horrible diseases that kill. I think if I had a business i would go with ILT, coryza, and possibly MG, and fowl pox. This option can cost a bit, but can give you a bit more peace of mind. I do think that if you follow the above guidelines you can get away with not vaccinating.
Also, learn all you can about biosecurity. Type it into the search box. A good practice to keep a healthy flock, is not to visit folks who have chickens, or have them visit you. Germs travel on your clothes and hair, and even the car tires. If you really want to go to a swap or show and look around find a way to strip once home and stay clear of your chickens until a shower and change of clothes. Lots more to learn about it. These diseases are not kind teachers. I hope that was helpful for you and not stuff you already knew. I am still learning about it too. Good luck and sorry about all your birds.
There is really no cure for these things, so to speak. You are actually in an excellent position to start a new business with your birds. Honestly, since you have a business and not a small one, I would cull and start over. It would be incredibly difficult, but honestly the only way you can be sure it won't start up again. I am trying the vaccinating route, its a bit of a gamble since we might still infect our new chicks. We are small scale and if this doesn't work, well at least it isn't my business.
Also, learn all you can about biosecurity. Type it into the search box. A good practice to keep a healthy flock, is not to visit folks who have chickens, or have them visit you. Germs travel on your clothes and hair, and even the car tires. If you really want to go to a swap or show and look around find a way to strip once home and stay clear of your chickens until a shower and change of clothes. Lots more to learn about it. These diseases are not kind teachers. I hope that was helpful for you and not stuff you already knew. I am still learning about it too. Good luck and sorry about all your birds.
