Hello from East Texas

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The Broody Bunch

The Broody Bunch

Chirping
Oct 15, 2024
24
126
69
I’ve been watching this site for awhile and finally decided to join. I have a small flock now. I used to have around 30 birds. My pulmonologist didn’t want me raising chickens as my lungs weren’t doing well. (Though I don’t think it was from my birds) a friend bought my flock of 33. After some time and my asthma flares calmed down I got a dozen pullets. Once you raise chickens. You just can’t - not raise chickens. So hello everyone. The problem is once I bought my pullets 9 from 1 breeder, 1 of the died rather quickly, I had another get sick. I sent in bloodwork and swabs sure it was Mareks but it wasn’t. It was in fact Avian Leucosis and she also tested positive for mycoplasma. Now what a way to start fresh right?
 
Welcome to BYC. Yikes....not a good way to start a new flock.
I'd start over again....and wait a while then order chicks from a major hatchery.

That person shouldn't be selling birds. Got a link to their website/advertainments?
 
That was about to be my next question. I ordered test kits to test all the other birds including 3 I didn’t buy from her. I did send her the reports and inform her she needs to test her breeder stop and halt sales. Hopefully she will. Nothing can stop her from selling if she doesn’t. It’s soooo hard to cull when they’re not seeming sick yet on the rest of these.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow

I am so sorry you are dealing with these issues. Mycoplasmas are difficult to treat and leave the birds carriers for life. My flock was diagnosed with MS (Mycoplasma Synovea) at 8 months. I was just getting started with chickens and inspite of people suggesting I cull the entire flock, I chose to keep and treat them. It took nearly 3 months of antibiotic treatment to beat down the bacteria. It was expensive and traumatic on all involved. I didn't lose a single bird however during the course of cleaning them up. The problem with Mycoplasmas is they know how to hide in healthy cells going undetected by the immune system, which does leave the birds carriers for life, on the weaker side leaving more suseptable to odd issues during their lifetime. Some problems I was able to treat, others not so much. I moved the flock to a new coop, new grounds, I did add birds over the years, lost a few here and there however the disease never reared its ugly head as it first did originally. I don't regret keeping my original flock and many did live into their teens, some were lost at a few years in. This is a decision only you can make as to whether or not you keep them all or start over, I know its a tough position to be in. :hugs
 
Welcome to BYC. I'm in east Texas also, and I had a similar experience. It is heartbreaking.
My flock is now closed. I love my flock so I will keep them until they die of natural causes. I hate that I can't let my broodies hatch any longer. You will find a good support system here on byc.
 
janiedoe said:
Welcome to BYC. I'm in east Texas also, and I had a similar experience. It is heartbreaking.
My flock is now closed. I love my flock so I will keep them until they die of natural causes. I hate that I can't let my broodies hatch any longer. You will find a good support system here on byc.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I acquired the pullets from a breeder in Laneville.
 

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