[WoodlandsDevon]

Has anyone had experience of buying birds from Fosters Poultry near Gloucester?  I bought some hybrid meat birds from there yesterday (mix of Ross/Cobbs and Hubbards) and some of them seem to be pretty snuffly to say the least!  I’m a bit worried that they may have a nasty disease like Mycoplasma (MG) or similar so if anyone can let me know their experiences I’d be most grateful!

Obviously the 2-hour drive back here to Devon will have affected them a bit but I’ve not known the regular ‘snuffles’ to get quite this bad and last time I saw anything like this the hens all got worse and ended up with MG!   I guess the next few days will tell, although I’m dreading the worst to be honest!

One of them was also ‘sick’ when drinking last night, just a load of clear liquid with a consistency like snot pouring out of its mouth for 5 seconds or so – we’ve put Poultry Respite in their drink to clear up any colds…

They’re eating like fury (they are broilers after all!) so I don’t think their condition is affecting appetite right now…

Any advice or comments much appreciated!

[chrismahon]

Stress of moving will cause the inoculation live viruses of IB and ILT to flare up WD. Nothing to worry about but I would not put additives in the water in warm weather as it discourages drinking.


Very young birds (<3 days) can develop Pneumonia, hence fluid in lungs.


IB and ILT are transmitted to humans without serious effect but that worries me a lot. Humans develop antibodies after contact but show no symptoms. Well, we had very mild symptoms and I wonder if we are now susceptible to getting avian flu -only time will tell.

[WoodlandsDevon]

Thanks Chris, helps alleviate my fears!

One or two of the birds (10 in total) were a little snuffly we noticed on the way home but they've got worse and most if not all now have horrible sneezes.  Breathing seems laboured in one or two also.

The birds are between 3 and 5 weeks old.

Sorry to be naive but what are IB and ILT?  and WD?!! 

Oh I can do without Avian flu!!  But it can't be as bad as Mycoplasma!!

Would you recommend a trip to the vet just to double check and administer any antibiotics that are needed?

many thanks

Simon

[Victorian Farmer]

please don't take offence .............When you bought the stock did you inspect the stock pens etc  did you notice a problem .THIS COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM did you put the stock nere you re stock at home i would treat with tarlin but first i would phone fosters up and ask Whit to do . If they didn't help i would report to defra if it was me i would distroy all stock and clean thoroughly and then hit fosters with the bill . Transport etc i dint like bad stock dispatch all bad stock .

[funkyfish]

This is why I have a closed flock. I only buy in hatching eggs all these diseases  cause ill thrift and will flare up at any time when they are stressed and infect others.

[WoodlandsDevon]

Thanks for your replies everyone.  I've sent you a personal message, VictorianFarmer, with a few more details about the Fosters Poultry setup...!!

[chrismahon]

Hi WoodlandsDevon (WD). You say the problem is getting worse? Infectious Bronchitis and Infectious Laryngotracheitus are the two virus I thought had flared up. But they should be getting better now. Antibiotics won't help other than to control secondary infections. They should improve quite quickly after they settle but will infect any other chickens you have which have not had these viruses.


We ran two flocks. One infected/ immunised and one of Pedigrees which were not.

[WoodlandsDevon]

Thanks Chris

Found one dead this morning.  I noticed it was in a corner of its own last night with very laboured breathing, beak open etc.  However it was not bubbling or gurgling as with MG.  This one had always been the most lethargic.  I did notice that its entire breast and ‘undercarriage’ was almost entirely bare, but perhaps that’s normal for meat birds?

The rest of them now seem to have ‘plateaued’ – they’re certainly not getting worse, in fact this morning I’m positive they were quite a bit better, not such violent sneezing etc.

It really beats me because they’re all so chirpy, not miserable-looking like birds with MG.  Running around and flapping much like normal chicks would do.  Of course their insatiable appetite hasn’t waned at all and they’re eating like horses!

Having said that, I’m going to try for a refund as I think I’m going to have to dispatch the lot to be on the safe side.  I have no other chooks on the same site at the mo but I need to bring more in soon, and the risk of spreading this is too high!

[suziequeue]

I bought some hybrid meat birds from there yesterday (mix of Ross/Cobbs and Hubbards)........

Can you buy hatching eggs for hybrid meat birds?

[WoodlandsDevon]

I couldn't find anywhere that supply less than 300 or so!

If you find someone let me know!

[suziequeue]

Mmmm - might try asking our local chicken farmer :-)

[WoodlandsDevon]

Just to clarify, I’ve had a most helpful reply from Fosters Poultry who have offered to refund me for the stock.  So I’m happy, and I’ve also learnt a valuable lesson or two!