➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[jwyles]

Can't wild birds transmit mareks?

Or would spread be a better word than transmit? Anywhooo...

 

[Tesumph]

I wasn’t late for class thankfully, but I needed that time before class to get some last minute reading in which I didn’t get to do, but luckily she decided against the quiz. I’m almost always 40 minutes early. But I never know how traffic will be, and refuse to take toll roads.
Thank you! It was more time consuming than difficult. J.C. Essler helped us through the paperwork which was a lifesaver.

Oh nice. Thankfully my route is toll-free, I like being early too.. teacher’s pet.

Good to know. I was just reading about how to become certified the other day, not that I ever plan on selling, let alone having more than 30 birds. How did you get past the 16 week old thing for your babies that are the same age as mine?
Do you still think most of those are boys, by the way? I’m pretty sure Floppy is my only roo.

 

[Kiki]

*throws hands in the air*
Look, I know and understand where you all are coming from. I am fully aware that good biosecurity is extremely and invaluably important. I understand and respect the need to protect other flocks.

But what I cannot get past is the idea of killing every bird in my possession if it won't make a difference in the end.
Why would I go through the heartache and loss of hundreds of dollars to terminate everything if it is vain. Keep in mind that certain Marek's strains are also transmitted by wild birds. I cannot stop that... legally.
And why would I spend the fortune that it costs to get a necropsy in WI only to confirm what I am fairly certain to be true?

To me, the cost and effect does not balance out to be worth the effort.

I just cannot reason this one.

If I were you and I wanted to sell and show birds I would cull her immediately and wait.
Wait for a necropsy report.
If it came back Marek's positive I would then wait again.
Wait and watch my current birds to see if anyone else got sick and cull them immediately at the first signs.

I would play the waiting game and not rush into getting new birds and once I did get new birds I would keep a closed flock because I am just that way...I don't sell anyways.

I think that you could move on and continue to raise birds and breed and show as long as you kept a symptom free flock.
I think.

 

[Cyprus]

Yeah...


Deep breath. Unless you have an unusually hot strain like Tes did, this is NOT a death sentence for your whole flock. Culling all of them is ineffective and unnecessary, and Marek’s rarely takes out the entire flock. So just take one step at a time. Start by trying by getting a necropsy the next time you have a death. Knowledge is power and sick birds are hard to diagnose without testing. Once you know for sure what you are dealing with THEN you can make plans. There are lots of good people on this site dealing with the same problem. They can help and advise.

. For now though, just do what you can to keep your sick girl warm, comfy, and full.

Thank you. This is what I needed to hear.

 

[CSAchook]

Can't wild birds transmit mareks?

Yes. That is how my father’s chickens got it.

 

[Kiki]

I think that keeping sick birds and recovered birds is a bad idea if you plan on selling or showing.
This is what I think right now.

 

[Tesumph]

If I were you and I wanted to sell and show birds I would cull her immediately and wait.
Wait for a necropsy report.
If it came back Marek's positive I would then wait again.
Wait and watch my current birds to see if anyone else got sick and cull them immediately at the first signs.

I would play the waiting game and not rush into getting new birds and once I did get new birds I would keep a closed flock because I am just that way...I don't sell anyways.

I think that you could move on and continue to raise birds and breed an show as long as you kept a symptom free flock.
I think.

This is what I would do, Cy. I don’t envy you.

You need to know for sure if it’s Mareks or not. What if it isn’t and you’re losing your mind for nothing?
And if it is, you know you need to step up your biosecurity game and you can plan for the future.
Beat Eggman’s head in a little too.

 

[Kiki]

I think that there are worse things then Marek's out there.
I do not think it is a flock death sentence, I do believe people can breed for resistance so to speak.

If someone wants to constantly nurse sick birds they need to close their flock.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Be sneaky and quick.
One every few days.

I'll try but usually he catches in or at least once he feels it start to clip

 

[Kiki]

I have a problem with Egg Man but he needs to be taught.
He may not know.