Whole Flock Sick, May Need to Start Over -- Advice Needed

[Sparrow-Song]

I am going to share the update here in case anyone is interested. I spoke to the vet, who has a PhD in infectious diseases, and he informed me that by the estimation of the authorities, the majority of backyard chicken flocks have mycoplasma. According to him, it can stay in the soil for quite a long time, and it wouldn't make sense to try and completely eradicate it when we allow free ranging near wild birds. It is such a relief to know.

He thinks that the hens have stopped laying due to stress, though from what I'm still not sure. He says as soon as they are done molting, I can put a heat lamp in there to encourage egg laying to start again.

We've decided to keep our flock, given this information, and treat with Tylan for any flare ups of chickens who show symptoms that indicate being an active shedder of disease and not just a carrier.

Important information about Tylan I plan to make a separate post about: Tractor Supply is no longer legally allowed to carry it, and Chewy won't provide it for food-producing species of animals, even with a vet recommendation. I saw on this website that people order it supposedly for pigeons, which I imagine cleverly bypasses that restriction.

Thank you all people who responded for your attention!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am going to share the update here in case anyone is interested. I spoke to the vet, who has a PhD in infectious diseases, and he informed me that by the estimation of the authorities, the majority of backyard chicken flocks have mycoplasma. According to him, it can stay in the soil for quite a long time, and it wouldn't make sense to try and completely eradicate it when we allow free ranging near wild birds. It is such a relief to know.

He thinks that the hens have stopped laying due to stress, though from what I'm still not sure. He says as soon as they are done molting, I can put a heat lamp in there to encourage egg laying to start again.

We've decided to keep our flock, given this information, and treat with Tylan for any flare ups of chickens who show symptoms that indicate being an active shedder of disease and not just a carrier.

Important information about Tylan I plan to make a separate post about: Tractor Supply is no longer legally allowed to carry it, and Chewy won't provide it for food-producing species of animals, even with a vet recommendation. I saw on this website that people order it supposedly for pigeons, which I imagine cleverly bypasses that restriction.

Thank you all people who responded for your attention!

Mycoplasma, like most respiratory diseases affect production and more or less the reproductive system of chickens. Stress and illness can affect production as well.

Once your hens recover, they may resume laying eggs, but production may be lacking. All birds should be considered carriers regardless is they all ever showed signs of illness or not. MG is for life, so any new birds you bring in or hatch will be considered carriers. Keep a closed flock and practice biosecurity. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PS044

No one is cleverly bypassing the prescription. Tylosin (Tylan Soluble Powder) has always and still is available online without a prescription.

If you saw a Vet, then you should have been able to get a prescription to order Injectable Tylan is that's what you wanted.

Your Other Threads...


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/getting-tylan.1643205/#post-28074911

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-diagnosis-help-please.1641328/#post-28048314

 

[Sparrow-Song]

Mycoplasma, like most respiratory diseases affect production and more or less the reproductive system of chickens. Stress and illness can affect production as well.

Once your hens recover, they may resume laying eggs, but production may be lacking. All birds should be considered carriers regardless is they all ever showed signs of illness or not. MG is for life, so any new birds you bring in or hatch will be considered carriers. Keep a closed flock and practice biosecurity. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PS044

No one is cleverly bypassing the prescription. Tylosin (Tylan Soluble Powder) has always and still is available online without a prescription.

If you saw a Vet, then you should have been able to get a prescription to order Injectable Tylan is that's what you wanted.

Your Other Threads...


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/getting-tylan.1643205/#post-28074911

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-diagnosis-help-please.1641328/#post-28048314

Thank you so much for your clarifications! I don't know why I was having such a hard time getting Tylan Soluble online, but I hadn't known about Jedd's and the other places I tried wouldn't give it to me otherwise.

I do in fact plan to keep a closed flock and be biosecure, I don't want to spread this and am very aware of the possibilities. That's part of the reason I was freaking out and considering starting over. We do sell eggs but have never sold chicks and from now on will not be giving any roosters away.

As for the production, I suppose we'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. Thanks again!