please please help

[RichmondHens]

We had the dreaded mycoplasma 2 months ago - tylan sorted it out rapidly. they got it at the same time as a red mite population explosion so I think it must lay dormant then surface when the bird is stressed? therefore, the seller might be innocent after all?

Yes it does lay dormant. Once infected a bird is never free of it. Ruthless (and sensible) breeders dispose of all affected birds immediately as you shouldn't breed from them as the virus can be transmitted through the egg, but it's hard to do that with your favourites. Just try and house them well apart from others and give them Tylan asap if it reappears.As you say, any stressful situation will trigger it - bad weather, new birds, moving pens - so always be on your guard.

[SuzyB]

I bought in new stock from a breeder a few months ago - kept them separate from my old girls but they still managed to catch it and it went round the flock. All the girls had tylan and the worst of the new ones had 4 injections. Thankfully all are well and no casualties.

The only thing is, if the two sablepoots I hatched in July turn out to be boys, I'll have to despatch them as I cant sell them on and cause this problem elsewhere. 15 weeks on and still no crowing and certainly no aggression or attitude towards any of the other girls from either of them, can I uncross my fingers yet and sign with relief or might it still happen?

[polo]

Hi Pink-Angel,

Just wondered if you had managed to get the mycoplasma sorted out?

Polo

[petal]

hope so, apparently there are so many types around, don't cull them - the vet told me that even the standard vaccine does not cover for all types of 'colds' transferred by wild birds etc. She said that it was intensive battery farming and vaccination that made chickens immune systems weaken over the last 30 years anyway and that a bit of natural selection will do wonders. As the mycoplasma lays dormant, it could be in anyone and all peoples birds. quarantine and tlc.

[pink-angel29]

hi polo
the chickens are still abit snotty but they are all eating and drinking ok
There hasnt been anymore rattly chests and bubbly eyes so its all good at the moment
plus letting them out in there new 22x22 foot run has cheered them up to

[polo]

Oh good. Glad to hear it. New run sounds great!

[petal]

had to let you know in case you cull birds, our results for mycoplasma for our pekin came back negative from vet - she says it was just a run down broody hen! I hope the tylan didn't hurt giving it to all of them for nothing? Goes to show - maybe these health books for chcikens are designed to scare me!!!

[tlck9]

Tylan wont hurt them, even if some havent got it, I had a bout of this in the summer and all have recovered. The vet did say if I was worried, as its hard to get rid of the spores in the run, that I could treat them 1 month after, just to tidy up any loose infections

[pink-angel29]

just a quick update to let you all know that the chooks are all back to full health it took two weeks of antibiotics but they are all running about and are once again happy

[Nicos]

Aww..that's lovely to hear a positive outcome like that!!..thanks for the update!