loumabel Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 (edited) I am having the week from Hell!! Chicken wise!! Firstly my Bantam Dotty was poorly and I had to leave her at the vets for 3 days last week (swollen uterus). Then we got our 6 new Ex Batts on Saturday and had a major bullying problem which you have all helped me with. Then yesterday Lily my newbie that was being bullied was sitting all hunched up in a corner with her feathers all ruffled, I took her to the vet and he said she has an infection of the womb and she is on tablets and liquid antibiotics. Then this morning I noticed Myrtle one of my bantams had a swollen head and her eyes were so puffy she couldn't open them, I rushed her to the vet and he said she has Mycoplasma almost certainly caught from the ex batts. They are in a seperate cube and run but right next to each other, he also said to come home and check my other Bantams which I have done and they are all showing symptoms of Myco too!!! albeit much less than Myrtle. I immediately called the vet and he said that as I have Baytril for Lily already, I can start them on that today and when I go to pick Myrtle up on Saturday he will give me something else for them all. I just cannot believe this and feel so guilty that I have made my girls ill by exposing them to the Ex Batts. Was I really stupid??!!! I am so upset and feel terrible. I thought I was doing a nice thing rescuing the Ex Batts and now I feel like Ive messed up big time!! Can I get my girls vaccinated against this? I am now scared they will keep getting it from the newbies!! : Edited August 14, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Once birds have been infected, they become carriers and remain infectious for life. Some birds seem to have a good resistance to Mycoplasma and out of an infected flock, a few may die, others may become ill and recover and some may not show any symptoms at all. The first time they are ill seems to be the worst and subsequent outbreaks seem to be milder. I hate to say this but you are probably stuck with this unless you have no birds and start again. Commercial flocks are vaccinated and each vaccine will do 1000 birds so it's not possible for a few garden hens Is your vet sure it is M gallisepticum? As flocks are vaccinated it's not that common anymore. There is a test for it. Best of luck it all sounds dreadful for you. Poor chooks and poor you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Sorry to hear that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 That is bad luck. I hope they respond to the treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 thanks for yor kind words and advice. I am truly at my wits end and have had good cry this evening, I know it is stupid to cry over chickens but they are my pets and I am very fond of them. I have been researching online now and wondering if they had it all along and the stress of the new chooks coming has brought it on. Ever since I have had them them a couple of them have sneezed a lot and we have had a course of antibiotics before for unidentified sniffles. I think it is weird that all have them have gone down with it although some worse than others, and I really hope I don't lose any of them it would break my heart . I need to toughen up I know but I can't help the way I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Ever since I have had them them a couple of them have sneezed a lot and we have had a course of antibiotics before for unidentified sniffles. Ahhhh Then stick with it and they might well be OK once they have settled down. Commercial chooks are vaccinated whereas the sort of hens we get are not . I hope they are better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Keep up the treatment and if it doesn't shift then go back to the vet - one of mine had it many years ago and eventually Tylan shifted it. Dose them up with a good poultry tonic in the water and/or probiotic powder, especially as antibs tend to give them dodgy tums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 I am now giving all 12 chooks, 6 Bantams and 6 Ex Batts daily antibiotics. My Myrtle is the worst affected and is still very swollen around the eyes and raspy . I have seperated her and popped her in our garage in the dogs crate to recoup on her own, the others didnt seem to let her rest properly. Thanks for the advice you have given me! I am using poultry tonic in their water and adding garlic and mint supplement to their food as it says its good for respritory problems. How long do you think it will be before I see an improvement? I thought they may be looking a little better by now but they still look worryingly poorly, although they will eat treats and some are still laying, to finish it all off two have gone broody again now too I was just wondering how long I should give them before going back to the vet , they are taking Baytril and I know a few of you suggested a different antibiotic. i really want to get this problem sorted so any advice would be most welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 You should see an improvement within 48 hours, so unless one of them gets worse I'd wait until then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Dont worry your head too much, I had a big outbreak of this at the beginning of the Summer, I took my worst two hens to the vets, and talked him into supplying me with a box of needles and Tyluvet antibiotics, and he taught me how to inject them, I treated any bird that went down with it, and about one third of my birds did, and Voila! they all recovered and are fine ... Don't start culling your flock and getting startled by people saying 'oh you will always have it' yes you may but you can treat it, and don't blame yourself because you introduced other birds to it, it's very easy to do that, in fact it can be passed on by other birds flying over your birds .. most backyard birds have it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Thanks Cheryl, you have made me feel much better The ex batts seem to be recovering well but my bantams are still showing signs, they still have the swollen eyes. My Myrtle is the worst affected and I have an appointment to take her back to the vets on Thursday morning, so I don't know if she needs an alternative medication. They are all on Baytrill and I have started giving my bantams nutri drops too, to hopefully boost their systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Hey loumabel, there's a lovely product that you can buy from 'Happy Chicks' called 'HERBAN'. http://www.happychicks.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/Happychicksshop/_854/226488/Herban%20Liquid It's a tonic made from essential oils and is really effective... here's just some of my lot taken a few days ago.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Love the pics! how cute are they They look a very happy bunch. Thanks for the tip, I will order some Herban today. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 (edited) Yes, get some and it smells gorgeous.. I often think that on these forums people over react to normal and dealable issues that pop up when keeping chickens, all we can do is our best, and chickens like any other pets get ill, unfortunately we don't have as many people to 'bounce off' for advice as we do with cats and dogs, because chickens, although popular as they are becoming aren't commonly understood, and these forums are teeming with people who seem to offer great advice but also are a bit patronising, in the kindest and the most nicest way.. I've had chickens for about 4 years, and have found forums very helpful, but do realise after going through all sorts of incidences that common sense has to kick in and there must be an affordable and realistic mode of treatment for things and that's different for everyone. When I announced my chickens had mycoplasma on here, I was told to cull them, imagine that!, I had people rushing to my aid, saying that my flock was doomed, I could never breed from them ever again, they wouldn't lay eggs, but I have chosen to attend to the problem should it arise again in my own way and I now have 40 very happy lively chickens, who have me waiting with my syringes should they get ill again, and no I'm not a vet but to be honest I know much more than the vets around here who refused to even see them..and I see them now as very healthy and well. Take care and enjoy your chickens, that's the best you can do.. xxxx Edited August 23, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 When I announced my chickens had mycoplasma on here, I was told to cull them all, imagine that!, Hmmm, I don't think that is entirely true Cheryl, we actually said the exact opposite when you broached the subject of culling your birds Here You honestly don't need to cull them all but the mycoplasma will probably see off the less robust. I don't see a reason to cull your entire flock unless you are trying to build a myco free flock for breeding purposes or commercial egg production. ..Good luck, don't do anything too hasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 (edited) Actually Chucky Mama, you gave me some great advice, as did Jools, but I did get the impression from this that culling was the prefered option.. 'It is important to remember that even with intervention and the subsequent rallying of a bird, it will then be a carrier as CM and Redwing had mentioned above. This infection will also damage their egg laying ability, often rendering female birds barren. If I had a bird with it again, I wouldn't hesitate to cull.' I have search over my convos on here and I seemed to have made a mistake in thinking that it was on here that I was told that I should cull my flock, and I do talk on a few forums, and I'nm not sure which one it was but I will endeavour to find out, because it really did at the time upset me.. Edited August 23, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I quote you previously Chucky Mama.. with reference to mycoplasma 'I would perhaps consider culling the most weak and sickly and treat the more robust.' well how can that have been carried out with any clinical accuracy or any sort of valid outcome..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 (edited) and Pecky beak said to me 'Best to get the correct diagnosis which may need to be from a post mortem.' I would be pleased to know a veterinarian who would be prepared to carry out such a proceedure and the likely cost. Edited August 23, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Redwing also advised.. 'Keep the sick ones separate to the well adults ones and consider culling the worst' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I have search over my convos on here and I seemed to have made a mistake in thinking that it was on here that I was told that I should cull my flock, and I do talk on a few forums, and I'nm not sure which one it was but I will endeavour to find out, because it really did at the time upset me.. I believe that you were mistaken as as I remember it we mentioned and discussed culling on this occasion as you were considering it when you posted Great to hear that things have settled down for you after what was clearly a very stressful time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Its worth seeing if you can really separate the two runs, I know its a bit late now but its so important to keep new birds away from the existing ones for at least a week. Sadly so many breeders know that their flock has Myco but still sell birds with no warning so a period of quarantine allows any problems to bubble to the surface. I know this time it was ex batts so maybe a false sense of security but its well worth observing in future I hope all goes ok with your lot now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I agree. A period of quarantine is always a good idea. The larger breeders will vaccinate their stock against many diseases, in the main, but hobby breeders tend not to, mainly and understandably because of the expense. All to often we hear tales of hens which have been bought from hobby breeders, which have become ill within days of moving, because the stress lets their guard down and any underlying conditions come to the surface. Coccidiosis and mycoplasma being the main recurring themes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted August 17, 2011 Author Share Posted August 17, 2011 Thanks to everyone for their advice. My chooks all seem to be improving and I am hoping we are over the worst now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and if I could go back and change the way I introduced the ex batts I would. I feel I have learnt some valuable lessons and I don't have any intention of adding any more birds for a long time if ever. I have decided to move the bantams to my garden and let the ex batts have the original WIR in the paddock. I have ordered a new WIR for the bantams and I hope they won't get too stressed again at being moved and trigger the Myco again. I will dose them up with Herban before and during the move. The vet thinks that it was the bantams with the myco all along that was triggered by the stress of the ex batts moving in next door. Anyway whatever the cause, fingers crossed we have come through it with no casualties yet! Thanks again to you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 and Pecky beak said to me 'Best to get the correct diagnosis which may need to be from a post mortem.' I would be pleased to know a veterinarian who would be prepared to carry out such a proceedure and the likely cost. My vet will do a PM and charges £25 ... or at least, that was the charge a couple of years ago. I don't bother with pm's any more. I'd rather spend the money on a new hen.. loumabel, you plan for a new WIR sounds spot on. Am pleased you have found a solution, and thinking about it, it makes more sense for events to have happened the way your vet suggested, ie the myco being already in the bantams, and it surfacing when they were a bit challenged. Hope all continues well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 (edited) My vet will do a PM and charges £25 ... or at least, that was the charge a couple of years ago. I don't bother with pm's any more. I'd rather spend the money on a new hen.. Try living in London and getting a vet to even just see your chickens less alone do a post mortem on them.. Also with reference to hobby breeders, well, again depending on where you live you don't always have a choice about where you buy them from, and since a mycoplasma vaccine is costly and only comes in very big quantities ie 1000 doses, (because I have tried to get some, as a HOBBY breeder myself) it makes for impossible, and mycoplasma can be passed on by wild birds, so unless you are rearing your chickens in a closed in barn and you have hundreds of them you haven't got a guarantee, have you.. would you advise people not to buy from hobby breeders Edited August 17, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
