What to do if meaties have cold?

[lsv313]

Thanks for the info about Tylan 50. I was going to ask if it was ok to give them antibiotics. I had wanted to raise them naturally, but giving them antibiotics when they're actually sick is different than just giving them to give them. Our feed store also suggested duramyacin tetracycline - do you know if that would be just as good?

There's still lots of sneezing today, but they do seem to be out and about more- even though it's drizzling out, so I'm guessing that's a good sign. Also, the one that was opening and closing it's beak to breathe has stopped - I haven't seen any of them doing it today.

I do have layers, which I got from a local feed store as chicks this spring (none are laying yet). We did have several chicks that we purchased from there die, so it's probably a good bet that they were infected. Although they have been mingling together for 3-4 weeks at this point - would symptoms take that long to show? Does this also mean that every time we get meaties, we will run into this unless we get rid of these layers?

We have been leaving their feeders and waterers outside, so that's another possible contaminant. I'm learning a lot.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

More than likely you got it from wild birds. Even though it can be transmitted from hen to egg it's unlikely, but does happen. Your more at risk from wild birds eating / drinking from your birds feeders and waters. Now that this is in your flock it will most likely always be there, the hens if not showing signs can and will be just carriers. More than likely they will have an outbreak when stress is brought on by cold weather or another stress inducer which would be them going into production.

Cornish rocks don't seem to have the tolerance for the MG like the layers. However both can get it and it's detrimental to the overall production of both growth and production. Your best bet for the meaties is the Tylan 50 and if your layers don't show signs you can minimize the spread of this disease if you keep them separated. Get them separated, clean their waters and feeders and just hope they don't get it. Even if they just remain carries the shed of the organism is very minimal and can be controlled, it may come up, it may not. However your next batch of meaties keep separate right from the start.

The Tylan 50 is a no nonsense antibiotic and will knock the MG out better than anything else currently available. You know I hate to tell you this but when you process your broilers I would consider getting rid of your layers as well. Do you research on MG and see if it's something you want to battle. If you plan on keeping two flocks of chickens.... one for meat... and one for eggs than you need to do a great job of bio-security. I guess it's only for 8 weeks that you will have to do this for but it's still a hassle. Just keep in mind that wild birds, the feed mill, or anyone else that has pet birds, are no good so use common sense when coming into contact with any of these things. Never bring in new birds unless from a reputable hatchery.

MG is like a bacteria but lacks a cell wall making it extremely easy to kill once chickens are not present. Sunlight alone kills the organism known as a mycoplasma.... and it doesn't usually last outside of a chicken for more than just a few days which is good news. You have a lot to think about... I'm sorry you have to go through this...

Good luck.