Taking Care of and Advice on a Mycoplasma/ CRD positive flock.

[CraziChknLady]

After almost 2 months of literally running around like a chicken myself, I think I finally have things calmed down. 2 original sick hens ( 1 w/ swollen face) are better, just a bit of sneezing. Still quarantined. I had 2-3 others from my main flock, 2 from banty flock and 2-3 of my chicks/ teenagers all come down with symptoms ( weeks after the initial original 2 became sick). It was almost 10 out of the 45 showing symptoms. It was mostly sneezing, coughing or rales. 1 banty roo had crowing problems almost like he had a frog in his throat. The 2 hens were treated with AquaSol and Amoxicillin as Tylosin didn't work. Tylosin did work for everyone else. After extensive research I thought it might be Mycoplasma since it's so common, but also found Infectious Bronchitis and Laryngotracheitis as possibilities. It's possible the 2 hens may have had more than one? Either way I've assumed that if none of the others were showing symptoms that they probably are infected. I will have a closed flock. I know Mycoplasma doesn't affect eggs, so my family will continue to eat those. Really has discouraged me as I was going to breed my Swedish Flower Hens. But that's a no go. Going forward, Is there anything special I would need to do? Get Tylosin as backup for any flare-ups? Use any special supplements? Feed? Cleaners?
I know it's a mute point as whoever survives is a carrier and it passes from hen to chick...figure I will give them the best life they have left. This is probably going to be my last flock.
Any advice or help us appreciated.

 

[Shadrach]

I know Mycoplasma doesn't affect eggs, so my family will continue to eat those.

I don't really have any concrete advice. It's something I think one needs to have dealt with to know what worked and what didn't bar the usual advice one can find online. What I can do is give you a virtual hug and hope you and your chickens can beat this horrible bacteria.
Good for you for trying to see your chickens through the disease rather than kill the infected, or even worse, kill the entire flock.

A couple of points: Mycoplasma transmits verticall and horizontally to the bacteria may well be in the eggs. I have been told that fertile eggs are more likely to harbour the bacteria. I have no idea of the truth of this.

It reads like you've researched the problem and no doubt come accross the medications most likely to work. Yes get anything you can in the way of antibiotics. They should in most cases treat the symptoms but once Mycoplasma is in the flock it's there to stay.

Given you've decided to tough it out and you keep a closed flock and continue to do so, there is no reason why your Swedish Flower hen shouldn't sit and hatch in my view. You may just get sick chicks but if keepers don't breed from infected birds the chances of building natural immunity are so much less.

Coop hygine and strict biosecurity and good quality diet is about all one can do as you've no doubt read. I always think fish and meat in the diet helps build imune strength and gives a broader range of amino acids than commercial feed.

I wish you luck.