Viable treatment for Marek's Disease.

[Mason Farm and Ranch]

General update. We're making discoveries. Adding to protocol to prevent secondary conditions.

A number of birds have recovered successfully only to relapse suddenly and pass shortly after. An overall review indicates that they were all placed on Maintenance dosage too soon.

We're going to start tapering off very slowly.

Overall deaths in flocks have plummeted on Maintenance.

 

[RememberTheWay]

Well it's been 10 months since I started this journey. It's become a hell of a thing.

After 5 months of reasonable success, a few set backs and several learning experiences, I decided to go real time and start a Facebook page dedicated to Marek's and ALV Positive flocks and get other flock owners to run trials with me.

I can report that flock owners using a daily prophylactic dose in feed have seen a complete stop of Marek's and ALV related deaths. We have managed to save some seriously ill birds, but survival is time critical. Some birds were damaged too badly and we were unsuccessful in saving them.

With that being said, when caught early enough, the protocol for sick birds is successful in saving affected birds.

The one drawback is that the immunity provided ends once Chinese Skullcap is stopped. But...it beats losing your bird.

So does this mean when you stop the CS that they will die? Doesn't it stay in the soil for 7 years? Plus you could be tracking it in at any moment as well? What does this do for breeding resistant flocks? Does this help or hinder that? Meaning if a bird naturally survived with the CS vs being treated with CS - does the later not have true immunity to pass on to subsequent generations?

 

[RememberTheWay]

I already picked you up on the page and we'll get you set up on a protocol.

It's not too late.

Curious how this panned out for you

 

[RememberTheWay]

I recently consulted with an Avian Specialist familiar with Marek's and he confirmed that if my pullets have been on Chinese Skullcap since day 1, they can't contract the virus because it has to replicate to infect and it can't.

So...I only have one generation of resistance. Not sure how to proceed with breeding for resistance at this point.

On the brighter side, I created a FB page where myself and a number of other BYC flocks are communicating and collaborating the use of Chinese Skullcap to control Marek's AND ALV. We're having marked success.

Visible and notable improvement is in the 7-10 day range depending on the state of the birds at the start of treatment.

What is the name of the Facebook group please?

 

[RememberTheWay]

Let's take a moment to acknowledge that sometimes you can't save her.

In reading the various posts, you will see that in some cases I was aware that the hen wasn't likely to make it and often did not.

Marek's ravages a birds system and in many cases, the tumors can cause issues that won't resolve even after recovery from the virus. I continue to educate myself, taking classes whenever available. In a recent class I learned about Saplingitis.

Saplingitis occurs when the 'funnel' that catches the ovum and sends it through the oviduct is shifted out of place. It then allows the ovum to fall into the abdominal cavity. In many cases this only occurs occasionally and the hen may reabsorb the yolk. But if the 'funnel' has bed shifted permanently, the ovum continue to fall. They solidify in the abdominal cavity causing pressure to internal organs and constricting the GI tract and reproductive system. This isn't a curable condition. It causes the hen great pain.

The longer your hen is battling Marek's, the higher the possibility it will damage the reproductive system and cause Saplingitis.

This is one of the few reasons I have ever euthanized a hen.

If this happens on a hen would you be able to actually feel normal size eggs in her abdominal cavity?

 

[FunClucks]

I do update fairly often. I have a FB page called Positive About Marek's And Avian Leukosis Virus where myself and 30+ members are currently using the herb and reporting the results on the page. Trying different things and working out what is best.

We're supporting new members and walking them through what to expect.

I can say, it definitely has a positive effect. In researching, it was discovered that while it only inhibits Marek's, it kills Avian Leukosis Virus and Avian Flu.

It has some drawbacks like you lose protection once you stop using it, but the positive aspect is as long as they are on it, it seems they are immune.

Consistent users are reporting that Virus fueled deaths ceased.

So, yes I'm still a believer.

Have you tried skullcap treatment for MG or MS? Or for any flocks that have more than one disease? Wondering how it works on MG or MS or on combo diseases.

 

[Pompona]

Hi everyone, I have a dutch bantam that has a wry neck not responding to vitamins, so I guess it is Marek's. She is still eating but drinking is more difficult because of her twisted neck.

She comes from a Marek's positive flock. She escaped 6 months ago, but a neighbor found her a couple of days ago and returned her to me. Here is the story:

Thread 'Please help, chicken escapee returned after 6 months. Quarantine?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-returned-after-6-months-quarantine.1620382/

So I got Chinese skullcap capsules, from Solgar. The label says Raw Scutellaria root powder 370mg, Scutellaria Root extract 2:1 75mg. How much should I give my hen? She is tiny, and weighs about a pound (500g).

I hope I can save her, it would be sad that she returned after so long only to die.
Thanks in advance!

 

[RememberTheWay]

Hoping someone

Hi everyone, I have a dutch bantam that has a wry neck not responding to vitamins, so I guess it is Marek's. She is still eating but drinking is more difficult because of her twisted neck.

She comes from a Marek's positive flock. She escaped 6 months ago, but a neighbor found her a couple of days ago and returned her to me. Here is the story:

Thread 'Please help, chicken escapee returned after 6 months. Quarantine?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-returned-after-6-months-quarantine.1620382/

So I got Chinese skullcap capsules, from Solgar. The label says Raw Scutellaria root powder 370mg, Scutellaria Root extract 2:1 75mg. How much should I give my hen? She is tiny, and weighs about a pound (500g).

I hope I can save her, it would be sad that she returned after so long only to die.
Thanks in advance!
View attachment 3811147

Hope someone Else comes along to help you, but if you search for Chinese Skullcap here it should pull up some previous threads and I'm certain I've seen a protocol listed in another thread