How do farmers identify and manage infectious synovitis caused by Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) to prevent joint lesions and drops in egg production?

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is an infectious pathogen that targets the respiratory system and subsequently colonizes the synovial membranes of joints and tendon sheaths in brown layers, causing infectious synovitis. Clinical signs include severe lameness, reluctance to walk, swollen hock joints and footpads, breast blisters, and a gradual 5% to 10% drop in egg production. In recent years, MS has also been linked to "egg apical abnormalities" (glass-top eggshells with thin, brittle, translucent tips). To manage MS, farmers must act fast: administer therapeutic dosages of tetracyclines (such as chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline) or tiamulin via the drinking water or feed to suppress bacterial replication and joint inflammation. For long-term control on multi-age layer sites, pullets must be immunized with live or inactivated MS vaccines during rearing. Joint health is explained in the Poultry Encyclopedia, premium veterinary antibiotics and MS vaccines are sold on Poultry Plaza, live culled-hen rates are updated on Poultry Rates, and commercial egg operations are listed on Murghi Mandi.