[Morton1874]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and was wondering what people have used to tackle Mycoplasma other than antibiotics.

We had an outbreak of Myco in the flock about 10 days ago and quite a few hens are still gurgling and coughing. One young hen got a very puffy eyes and face so had to be culled about a week ago but all the rest seem to be be doing ok at the moment.

When we had the outbreak we took a hen to our nearest vet (45 miles away). He was fairly sure it was Myco and gave us Baytril to put in the water. When we got home I did a quick internet check on Baytril. From what I can see many people do use it on hens but there are some issues with egg withdrawl periods as it is thought the antibiotic can remain permanently in the hen and therefore in its eggs. While some vets say there is a set withdrawl period other feel that the eggs should never be eaten. As a result we didn't feel comfortable giving Baytril to our 15 hens (mix of hybrids and pure breeds) as we do sell them to family, friends and colleagues.

As a result I was wondering if anyone has had any successes shifting the symptoms of Myco using other means? Thus far we have tried garlic in the water (and some chopped garlic with the hens grain), respite in the water and vitamins in the water.

I realise that all the hens will stay infected for life if they survive and that symptoms may come back during times of stress. However we are fairly sure that our flock were infected by the local wild bird population and therefore it is very possible if we were to cull and start again the next flock could also be infected.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Daisys Mum]

I was given Tylan by my vet and that seemed to work although I have noticed a couple are a bit snuffly again. I did buy some stuff off the internet to try it is made from grapefruit seeds I think  and is supposed to be a natural antibiotic  so going to put that in the water to try! Just can't remember what it is called but I am sure someone will come along who does know. 

[Daisys Mum]

Just remembered it is Citricidal..........this old age is a nightmare 

[chrismahon]

From what I have read before it is just a case of keeping them healthy and happy Morton. We think we may have it in our flock but it only flares up when one is sick with something else. Of course any stress will flare it up, even being bottom of the pecking order perhaps? Ours have plenty of run space, warm and dry large coops with good ventilation, wind breaks around the runs and are pampered as much as possible anyway. Fresh fruit as treats -apples at the moment.

[Stereo]

Seems to me that most flocks have it. Like you say, you can cull them all, fumigate everything and get new birds only for a crow to come in and give it to them again. It would be better in my view if anti-biotics were avoided where possible to allow natural resistance to build up in birds. It appears that once they've had a bad episode and got over it, they are much less likely to suffer again in the future. As Chris says, good care and conditions is probably the best solution.

[ZacB]

We had a young poult with blown up eye etc a few years ago. Treated the whole flock with Denagard as a precaution, only available via vets but zero egg withdrawal and licensed for use on chickens. Simple to use as liquid solution mixed in with drinking water. Chick was housed separately and recovered completely.  No real issue's since.

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Novartis_Animal_Health_UK_Ltd/Denagard_12_5_ACU-_w_v_Concentrate_for_Oral_Solution/-28465.html