I am posting this in the disease forum, because I had one of my four 11 week old chicks die a couple weeks ago. I ended up bringing her UC Davis to be euthanized and have a necropsy. We suspected Marek's given the symptoms (paralysis coming and going, antibiotics not helping, healthy appetite and BMs). Necropsy came back undertermined, but possibly Marek's. I am afraid the rest of my flock is infected. My friend with grown chickens won't come visit anymore. From what I have read on this amazing site, Marek's is everywhere and vaccines are not 100%. Being that I have become "chicken obsessed" in the short 3 months of having these sweet chicks, I want another to replace my Shadow that we lost. It was my son's bird and we found a breeder that has some similar birds. I know there was a great article that came out last week about how to introduce new birds to a flock, but it did not address the following questions I have:
Should I wait until my birds are 25 weeks and the threat of Marek's is reduced...is this even true?
Is it easier to introduce another pullet now while they are young and don't do as much damage to each other AND are still figuring out their new order (Shadow was dominant!)?
If I am thinking of getting another pullet that is a couple weeks older than my flock would that be the perfect combination (One chick slightly larger to fend off the other 3?)
Should I just leave well enough alone and be happy with 3, when initially I only wanted 2 and got the others for "insurance"?
Knowing what I know now that you should pretty much have a minimum of 3, I'm afraid I don't have the "insurance" anymore for my flock to maintain that healthy number. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks so much!!!
Should I wait until my birds are 25 weeks and the threat of Marek's is reduced...is this even true?
Is it easier to introduce another pullet now while they are young and don't do as much damage to each other AND are still figuring out their new order (Shadow was dominant!)?
If I am thinking of getting another pullet that is a couple weeks older than my flock would that be the perfect combination (One chick slightly larger to fend off the other 3?)
Should I just leave well enough alone and be happy with 3, when initially I only wanted 2 and got the others for "insurance"?
Knowing what I know now that you should pretty much have a minimum of 3, I'm afraid I don't have the "insurance" anymore for my flock to maintain that healthy number. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks so much!!!