waiting period after culling

[MackChicks]

After treating our hens with Tylan and they all seemed better, our smallest hen has relasped. I think we've come to the point where we are going to have to cull them. Our 3 year old daughter is heartbroken. My question is how long do we have to wait to bring in new chickens?

 

[MrsBrooke]

Very sorry to hear this.

If you're treating with Tylan, I assume you have a respiratory infection going around the flock?

I would wait a few weeks and clean everything really well with bleach to get rid of any lingering nasties.

MrsB

 

[MackChicks]

Thank you, yes its respiratory. I keep reading conflicting info that says its possible to never have another outbreak and others that say you'll never stop fighting it. We feel so torn. Our other two hens just laid their first egg and seem so happy and healthy.
Is it safe to eat the egg and possibly them if they are carriers but not showing symptoms?

 

[MrsBrooke]

It depends what it is. Infectious Bronchitis can be a one-off, but once a chicken gets CRD or MG, they are carriers for life, symptoms or no.

It could be worth taking one to a vet for a test to see what they have.

MrsB

 

[MackChicks]

The nasal discharge smells foul. I've read that's not a good sign. Is that correct?

 

[dawg53]

Actually, CRD (chronic respiratory disease) is MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum.)
Foul smell around the head area could be infectious coryza. Birds can have both coryza and MG at the same time, they pretty much go hand in hand. Normally there are other symptoms such as facial swelling, bubbly eyes, runny nostrils, wheezing and sneezing, gurgling. Either disease is easily transmitted to other birds.
Antibiotics only treat symptoms, not cure the disease. In times of stress, symptoms can reappear and may require a more powerful antibiotic to treat the symptoms. The bacteria will have built resistance to the previous antibiotic. Sick birds normally dont lay eggs, treated birds require egg withdrawal periods. Birds infected with coryza/MG are carriers for life. Coryza is not passed through eggs, however MG is passed through eggs...surviving hatched chicks will be infective.
If you decide to cull your birds and IF in fact it's coryza; you can repopulate in 60 days after everything is thoroughly disinfected. For MG, you can repopulate after 3 days, after disinfecting.
There's a 7 day withdrawal period after the last dosing of tylan injectable, 1 day for tylan soluable powder.

 

[MackChicks]

Thank you dawg53! The chickens have had many other symptoms during the first round of treatment (eyes closed, gasping, coughing, heavy breathing) but this time the smallest has the nasal discharge, lethargy and is limping. She's still eating and drinking well.
We tried to break the news to our three year old (they may have to go away) and her reaction was heartbreaking. But momma I want THESE chickens. I love them and they're mine and its not fair. Poor thing.

 

[DragonClaw01]

What's a withdrawal period?

 

[MackChicks]

How long to wait after antibiotics before consuming the eggs\birds, I believe.