Hi All,
I recently lost two 8-month-old hens to what I am thinking might have been Marek's Disease. I have 3 hens remaining whom I bought seperately from these two and they are about 1.5 years old now. They seem happy and healthy.
I am wondering how I can go about replacing the 2 that I lost. They free-ranged so the whole yard is contaminated and I read it can last for years, plus now my 3 remaining birds have been exposed so they could be carriers.
Should I just avoid buying young birds and only buy 1+ year old birds that have been vaccinated?
What are other people's experiences?
In case you are wondering about the 2 birds who died and their symptoms, you can read about them here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...and-limp-pictures-please-help/30#post_8622801
Thanks
I recently lost two 8-month-old hens to what I am thinking might have been Marek's Disease. I have 3 hens remaining whom I bought seperately from these two and they are about 1.5 years old now. They seem happy and healthy.
I am wondering how I can go about replacing the 2 that I lost. They free-ranged so the whole yard is contaminated and I read it can last for years, plus now my 3 remaining birds have been exposed so they could be carriers.
Should I just avoid buying young birds and only buy 1+ year old birds that have been vaccinated?
What are other people's experiences?
In case you are wondering about the 2 birds who died and their symptoms, you can read about them here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...and-limp-pictures-please-help/30#post_8622801
Thanks
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