Why we always quarantine

[robin416]

One of the first lines of defense is to know your breeder. Know how the birds are housed and cared for. Be certain they are not more of a chicken mill trying to squeeze every dime out of chickens.

That's is one of the reasons Cynthia made the point of mentioning Hawkeye. Hawkeye did not come from ideal conditions but the kid who owned him did care as much as a kid can. Cynthia's care and concern brought out the best in him.

The longer we do this the more we learn and continue to learn every day.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Any word on anything Robin?

 

[robin416]

It was Mycoplasma. She thinks she's traced where it came from and has learned a hard lesson about buying birds from just anybody. She ultimately lost 15 birds.

Here is the surprise, the reaction by one of the vets from the state. They said treat symptomatic birds and forget about it. It appears they have changed their attitude towards Mycoplasma infections. I know that Tylosin will knock it so far back its all but cured but they didn't tell her to use it. They suggested Tylan for treatment.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Thanks Robin! I googled it here is what I found!

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/183/mycoplasma
I will book mark this site.

 

[Mrs.SB]

So if you buy eggs and hatch your own, you're safe??

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Mrs.SB :

So if you buy eggs and hatch your own, you're safe??

There are some diseases that can be passed through the egg. I still think it's alot safer than purchasing birds.

One of the first lines of defense is to know your breeder. Know how the birds are housed and cared for. Be certain they are not more of a chicken mill trying to squeeze every dime out of chickens.

Agreed.​

 

[Mrs.SB]

Thanks! So by the time they would be old enough to put with the other chicken I would know if they were sick, right?

The ones I have now are my first, so I'm learning!! :0)

 

[robin416]

Mrs.SB :

So if you buy eggs and hatch your own, you're safe??

As Sundown stated, not always. Studies have found that Mycoplasma can be passed in to the egg. And there are others that also pass through to the egg.

Thirty days was chosen for quarantine because at that point most diseases a chicken can have will have occurred in that time period. Some even have what they call a sacrificial chicken, one that is placed in the same proximity of the new bird. If the sacrificial bird becomes ill then chances are the new bird is a carrier of some disease.

I did find there is a vaccine for Mycoplamsa, what bothered me is that it is a live virus vaccine. I did not find enough information on it to know if it is actually safe.​