Big Bad Mareks

[TwoCrows]

Setting eggies in just 48 hours!!!!!

 

[2ndTink]

View attachment 3760764

Less than 24 now!!!!!

The incubators will be sanitized and plugged in today to be ready for the little eggies tomorrow morning. Then I'll sanitize the eggs right before setting tomorrow. Safety first!

 

[TwoCrows]

Less than 24 now!!!!!

The incubators will be sanitized and plugged in today to be ready for the little eggies tomorrow morning. Then I'll sanitize the eggs right before setting tomorrow. Safety first!

I am so egg-cited!!!! I just love egg setting day.

 

[2ndTink]

I am so egg-cited!!!! I just love egg setting day.

Me toooo! Setting day, candling day, 2/3rds day, lockdown day, hatching day! They are all so exciting

 

[Antiocheggers]

My heart breaks for you Tink, we humans involve ourselves with creatures seeking comfort for our life's journey, animals are known to have effects on our pleasure sensors and improve our lives emotionally and physically. But when they become the ones that need the comforting, tables turn and we have to be the ones to heal them, it's draining on our already stressed lives. It's heart wrenching to watch our babies deteriorate and even die with disease. I have never dealt with Mareks in my flocks so I can't offer much in the way of Mareks knowledge. But if you don't mind my rambling thoughts, I can certainly offer emotional support as I certainly have dealt with my share of chicken illness and losses over my chicken keeping times. Our path in life can take us on many roads, some rough, some smooth as glass. There is no greater gift you can give yourself than learning, knowing more today than you did yesterday. And this Mareks journey will not only offer you the opportunity to be the best steward to your flocks, help then live healthier longer lives, but it gives you the opportunity to learn so much about the lives of your birds, what makes them tick, maybe allow you to understand what it's like to be a chicken. As scary as this Mareks sounds, you have the opportunity to really expand your poultry horizons. Maybe help you live in the moment, take one day at a time, case by case, bird by bird and I am sure at some point on down the line, this will all smooth out. Hopefully you won't view this as impossible mountains to climb but a few small hills or bumps in the road that are part of the journey. You can do it Tink, you are a strong gal! ❤

Amen @TwoCrows and @2ndTink thanks for the information. Stay strong and keep going forward!

 

[2ndTink]

Amen @TwoCrows and @2ndTink thanks for the information. Stay strong and keep going forward!

Thank you @Antiocheggers.

 

[NagemTX]

I've asked around and have researched my self about Marek's. I've come across people that believe that Marek's is pretty much everywhere and that every flock has been exposed. That the vaccine only suppresses it.

So sorry for you diagnosis.

 

[2ndTink]

I am really behind in updating this thread, I had one loss in April. I had just 2 unvaccinated silkie hens from my hatch last year, she went broody and I think that was too much stress on her. My last unvaccinated hen just went broody yesterday so I'm going to break her this weekend. I have 4 broodies to break that were vaccinated as 6 week olds, and two TSC silkies to break (nothing has worked so far ) and I don't know if they are vaccinated or not. I've picked a location to put cages, so I just need to rearrange inside the coop this weekend and get enough food and water dishes for them all.

I have vaccinated all the chicks hatched this year and I'm not seeing any issues so far, the oldest are 17 weeks and all seem normal. My first Mareks case was a 4 1/2 month old pullet, so I'm getting to that timing with that first hatch.

So I'm hopeful they will continue to do well. I have almost all my silkies moved into the same area regardless of vaccination status. I have breeding pen plans for next year and am resisting the urge to hatch more this year. It is sad I have a few more extra pullets and some really nice purebred cockerels, but I cannot sell them. I have 2 processing dates picked this summer and will likely need a third one in the fall. I'll probably keep the pullets even though I don't need them

 

[TwoCrows]

I am really behind in updating this thread, I had one loss in April. I had just 2 unvaccinated silkie hens from my hatch last year, she went broody and I think that was too much stress on her. My last unvaccinated hen just went broody yesterday so I'm going to break her this weekend. I have 4 broodies to break that were vaccinated as 6 week olds, and two TSC silkies to break (nothing has worked so far ) and I don't know if they are vaccinated or not. I've picked a location to put cages, so I just need to rearrange inside the coop this weekend and get enough food and water dishes for them all.

I have vaccinated all the chicks hatched this year and I'm not seeing any issues so far, the oldest are 17 weeks and all seem normal. My first Mareks case was a 4 1/2 month old pullet, so I'm getting to that timing with that first hatch.

So I'm hopeful they will continue to do well. I have almost all my silkies moved into the same area regardless of vaccination status. I have breeding pen plans for next year and am resisting the urge to hatch more this year. It is sad I have a few more extra pullets and some really nice purebred cockerels, but I cannot sell them. I have 2 processing dates picked this summer and will likely need a third one in the fall. I'll probably keep the pullets even though I don't need them

Sounds like you have a leash on this monster, (Mareks) thats wonderful the vaccinated birds are doing so well!!

 

[2ndTink]

Sounds like you have a leash on this monster, (Mareks) thats wonderful the vaccinated birds are doing so well!!

I sure hope so, I'm hopeful, but I do know ow my other silkies started symptoms at about the age my oldest hatch is now, and I still have all the younger ones to get past POL.

One encouraging thing, all the chicks I had bought in December before I knew I had Mareks, and were vaccinated in January, they are all still doing well. The girls have been laying for over a month and all doing well, so that is encouraging! I'm trying to reason as well, that if they are doing good and weren't vaccinated properly, my ones who were vaccinated in the first 24 to 36 hours, should be good to go.

I do have one of the December purchased silkies with a persistent crop issue, it is still really slow, I checked her again this morning and it is much too full and squishy. She's on Day 6 if the acodofied copper Sulfate. I think I'll change her to probiotics and plain water tonight. I'm at a loss as what to try next.