I have a small backyard flock that have been raised as chicks together. They are all about 10 weeks old now. I have a Buff Orp and a Barred Rock that I got from a local farmer, and 2 Ameraucanas and a Polish that came from a feed store. Last week one of the Ameraucanas started limping. I assumed it was an injury and separated her for recovery time. Then, she got worse and worse. My neighbor who is a long time chicken owner told me there was something else wrong with her, so I searched BYC and found Marek's Disease. Her symptoms fit to a T. She has to be culled. And now my little Polish is limping. I am so heartbroken. I'm going to have to cull her too.
My questions are, what is the likelihood I will lose my entire flock? I am so attached to these silly chickens, and this is terrible! And beyond that, if I decide to add to my flock, should I vaccinate new birds? I will most likely be getting them from local farmers or Atwoods. How do I get the vaccine? Or should I just not add anymore in? They are still in their grow out pen and the sick birds had not been in the new coop yet, thankfully.
