1 y.o. silkie hen r.i.p. Marek's Disease

[Madhouse Pullet]

So sorry that your chicken was positive for Mareks. It does mean that your flock are carriers of Mareks. You should not rehome any, and if you would buy other chicks, they should be vaccinated at a hatchery, and kept free of the environment there outside for 2 full weeks to achieve immunity. Mareks is spread by feather dander, so it goes every where in your environment. Your hen could have gotten it at your place or been exposed at her former home. Hard to know. Hopefully, many of your chickens will not get the symptoms of Mareks. There are 4 types of symptoms—nerve, skin, eyes, and peripheral tumors. Here is a good article about the disease:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Thank you so much for the information and the link.

 

[Eggcessive]

Since the feather dander will spread through the air, it probably won’t make a difference keeping the chick separate.

 

[Tclloyd0812]

So, just a waiting game and hoping for the best, and stricter biosecurity.

Should I continue to keep the chick separate?

I don't think it would hurt to keep the chick separate, but if the others already contracted mareks I'm not sure if it would help. Just continue watching for signs and keep the flock closed for now. If anything, they could be carriers and may not show symptoms, but if you were ever to get other chickens I'd be careful considering they could contract mareks from your current flock. Right now, yes, its really just a waiting game unfortunately.

 

[Chickeria]

I'm so sorry
Sending prayers for your flock and sending hugs

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

I'm so sorry
Sending prayers for your flock and sending hugs

thank you so much.

 

[Chickeria]

Hi Madhouse Pullet, how is your flock doing? How is Opal's little chick? I really hope everyone is well

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

Hi Madhouse Pullet, how is your flock doing? How is Opal's little chick? I really hope everyone is well

The little chick is still separated but doing good; he/she & the flock hasn't showed any signs.
Purchased Odoban so I can start cleaning and disinfecting the areas.

Trying to mentally prepare for the worst, too.

Thank you for checking in

 

[Chickeria]

Hi Madhouse Pullet, how is your flock doing? How is Opal's baby?

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

Hi Madhouse Pullet, how is your flock doing? How is Opal's baby?

Opal's baby, Sonic-Ian, is still thriving. Thank you for checking in Chickeria

Sonic is the gray one in back (Raya is the black one, 6 months older than Sonic)

Integrated her with the rest of the flock a few months ago.

I havent seen any issues or health decline. Considering the fact that Sonic is not vaccinated, I've been hopeful that shes lived this long. But then I came across info recently that said Mareks can take up to 2 years before they succumb to the illness.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you for the update, and glad to hear that your chickens are doing well.