Ag Dept. testing of chick - I was right - Mareks.

[robin416]

Having had Mareks on your property, in your flock you are doing the correct thing on planning to immunize in the future.

A good friend of mine just had problems with Mareks. The state has told her she needs to immunize all young birds and newly hatched chicks from now on. That they had no adequate way to destroy it.

I don't do it. But if Mareks appears here then there would be no other option.

 

[threehorses]

I do agree, in this case, with immunization as then at least you don't have to deal with as high a risk of the tumors, paralyzation, and ocular effects. I'm not usually a big fan of shots, but Marek's is where I take exception. If done correctly. Then again, it has to be done right, the babies have to remain basically challenge free until the vaccine has taken effect, etc.

I'm glad you just realize that it can still get into your flock. We've had a big discussion lately about spraying the ground against Mareks. My point in the discussion was that you can soak everything, and then a sparrow will fly in with a chicken feather in its nest, or the wind will blow dander from the yard next door where your dander landed before, or you carry it home from the feedstore.

Personally, I'd rather just vaccinate for Marek's, try to keep a rather closed flock, and use biosecurity (not that it works against Marek's) for all the other stuff. Thereafter worrying about Marek's is about like worrying about being hit by a car. You'll be around cars all the time and wear yourself out worrying "is this it?" Same with Marek's as it's everywhere.

 

[Chickenmaven]

I will immunize any babies that my hens hatch. I guess it is about $30 for the vaccine. Of course, that is $30 for a bazillion doses, but as the kids say - "whatever".

 

[threehorses]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/377/small-flock-vaccination
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page9.htm
http://poultryone.com/articles/mareks.html
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry-health/mareks-disease.html

Some articles on vaccinating. (I'm bookingmarking this because I keep having to re-look them up.)

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
no, i do not immunize and wouldn't know if i ever had Marek's strike. nothing ever pointed to Marek's striking. and i do empathize and i am not against someone choosing to immunize. it is just not something we choose to do.

there is not a right or wrong choice with this. whatever works best for your flock is best for your flock. i agree for your flock, you made the best choice.