Another possible Marek's infection.

[bearz]

10 months ago we had a hen that developed what we were pretty sure was Marek's. I posted the pictures back then. She had the skin lesions/postules and looked horrible!

Fast forward to a couple of days ago. My son (he's 14) brought in a hen that is at least 5 years old. Our last EE hen. One of her ears was terribly swollen. Upon further inspection he found the skin lesions and other signs of Marek's and made the decision to cull her immediately in hopes it doesn't spread to the rest of the flock. She was from the same batch as the last chicken (ordered from a reputable breeder) and at this point I have no idea if they were vaccinated. Knowing that at the time we were new to this whole thing, I probably didn't order the vaccines.

So, here are a couple of questions:

He will be showing his chickens at the fair in August. Should this keep him from showing? I mean, as I understand it, Marek's is everywhere and pretty much can't be avoided.

If it shows up again and the chicken seems otherwise healthy, should we cull it right away or attempt to treat it?

Thanks!

 

[Nambroth]

I've taken the answers to your questions from my big Marek's FAQ. There is a lot more info in the FAQ, too... if you think you have Marek's, it is probably worth your time to read it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

(that's over a year and a half!) with no host, in an uncleaned environment. While we can get things such as coops and non-porous surfaces clean with proper cleaners (see section as to what cleaners kills Marek's virus), it is impossible for most backyard chicken keepers to clean the soil and surrounding environment, and so it must be assumed that any place that an infected chicken has been also is laced with shed virus that can live for over a year and a half at a minimum. Though it has been documented to live for over a year and a half, there are those that think it may live for over 7 years in an uncleaned environment. There are other factors that may come into play with how long virus might live; however it has been shown to survive even very hot summers and cold winters, so you cannot rely on your environment alone to negate it.

Only one of my chickens has symptoms of Marek's! Should I cull it?
See the above answer. If that chicken does indeed have Marek's, and has been around your other birds or even been to the places that they go, it is too late. It has already spread. Culling the bird will not prevent the spread of the virus unless it has been in isolation for months.

In short, if you think you have Marek's, it would be irresponsible in most people's eyes to take carrier birds to a show. Birds that have been exposed to the virus shed it for their entire lives.

If you really want to show and to know what is going on, it might be worth the money to have your bird tested. It would let you know if it's safe or not. Without testing, all we could ever do all day is guess, which is hardly a guarantee.