Marek's Symptom in Sebright Hens? - Page 2

Well, it's good to hear you talk about feather earrings!

I just bought my first Seabrights today.  They guy that I got them from has about 400 chickens.  He said that if the Seabrights got in the wind, it  could trigger a "hereditary respiratory disease" that Seabrights get.  I asked him if it was contagious, and he said "no".  I'm researching it right now, but I keep coming across Marek's.  Am I putting my other chickens in danger having Seabrights?  He also said they don't do well in cold.  He keeps his big building about 68 degrees.  I don't have heat in my building. I live in Georgia, but it does get cold.  UGH.  Am I going to freeze my Seabrights, and kill my others with Marek's?  I'm freaking out here- hope someone responds!  Thanks!  -Pam
 

I have had Mareks in my flock before. Not laying was not an early symptom. The flock stopped laying once one of the girls had symptoms. Then the whole flock went for about 6 months without laying. All in all I lost 3 of them (out of 5) to Mareks. Each of them presented with a different symptom pattern. Once the 3 sick ones were gone, the remaining 2 started laying like crazy again.
 

Thanks for the reply.  Man, o, man..I hope I didn't just bring Marek's into my little flock.  Pam
 

First, quarantine your new birds for at least a month.  I don't like the sound of a hereditary respiratory illness.  Never heard of any respiratory illness that is hereditary.  Sounds like he has a bunch of carriers of some respiratory illness in his flock and every time some form of stress factor is involved, the birds show symptoms.  Sorry but, I would take them back.  You don't want to introduce a respiratory problem into your flock.  They can be just as or, more, devastating then Marek's.

As far as Marek's is concerned.  A certain breed does not carry Marek's.  Certain breeds such as sebrights, silkies and polish are more susceptible once the virus is introduced.  These breeds succumb more quickly to Marek's and do not build immunity as rapidly as other breeds. 

I have read that sebrights do not like the cold.  They aren't feathered for cold.  I've never personally dealt with them.  I hope someone with more experience with sebrights can help you out there.

Thank you.  So sorry to see them go!  But, don't want to lose them all!
 

I've already exposed them :(   I set up a quarantine area for them like I've read.  When I got the Seabrights- they had NEVER been handled.  My quarantine hutch idea wasn't working; because they can fly (I wanted to make sure they could so that I could show them).  I almost lost one flying out.  SO....I set up a small area in the pen (which has only been finished and used one day). They saw my cat across the yard, and they freaked out- flew through somehow into my flock.  I let them stay.  I KNEW better.  I've been obsessing over having the chickens for a year (had some couple of years ago, but they stayed at my sister in law's, and it turned out not to be a safe place for them), and started building my little flock 4 months ago.  Breeding and showing.  I had big plans. I can't believe I let this happen.  I know I sound pathetic, but it goes deep.  I have bi-polar depression, and have been mostly in my bed for years.  Getting up only to do the family and pet care.  I was enthused about this!  They gave me a reason to get out of bed- even went to see a show. I've ruined it.  They've already been with them for a day.   I'll take them back tomorrow; but mine are already exposed.  I will never know.  I can't breed them because of the chance that they have it.  This is horrible.  I'm so sorry that I'm whining.  Thanks for listening (I'm even crying while I type this, it really was a dream, be it a silly one to some people, other than us, but mine. )
 

Pam

In his Craigslist add, he states "All birds are NPIP State certified and are of show quality"   Mine don't have any bands on their legs.  IF they are certified, does the disease show up?

Pam

I guess I'm grasping at straws with the NPIP post.  He obviously has a "genetic" disease in his flock.  Live and learn.