Bungled Marek's vaccination and killed my chick

[Eggcessive]

Mareks vaccines are optional at most hatcheries. In my first flock for 12 years, I usually got baby chicks from hatcheries vaccinated if it was offered. I have never had a case to my knowledge, but nowadays, I would probably not vaccinate, since the Mareks virus will continue to mutate and change. But many people here on BYC who have Mareks positive flocks, still do vaccinate their baby chicks born from their own hens. Some do not, preferring to breed their birds who seem to have some natural immunity. It is a topic of discussion that is ongoing.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

According to my current understanding.. vaccinating against Marek's doesn't prevent the disease it only hides the symptoms.. but they may still be positive and spreading it undetected.. are you aware of this?

So that almost makes vaccinations dangerous because you won't know if one chicken gets some deadly disease and kills the entire flock because they won't exhibit any symptoms.

 

[2ndTink]

So that almost makes vaccinations dangerous because you won't know if one chicken gets some deadly disease and kills the entire flock because they won't exhibit any symptoms.

Yes and no, I've read research papers saying the HVT vaccine is contributing to the increasing virulence of Mareks and I've read papers that say that vaccinated chickens shed more virus, and others that say they shed less virus if they do get Mareks. From what I've read you can find enough studies to support whatever view point you want to take. I've read that vaccinated chickens are less likely to actually get Mareks but I can't find good data on what % this is.

This is what makes the to vaccinate or not to vaccinate discussion so hard. The facts that we know don't cover enough scenarios to give a black and white answer. There are also many different strains of Mareks, virulent, verry virulent, and even very virulent +.

With vaccinated or even unvaccinated, they can be exposed to Mareks and carry it with no symptoms, they can shed the virus with no symptoms, they may die of a secondary issue because Mareks impacts their immune system. You can get every bird in your flock tested for Mareks, even if they test negative they can still have Mareks there just isn't enough of an immune response to detect it. I'm referencing PCR testing, this is minimum $20 per bird. Also, just because they are negative today, doesn't mean that they will be negative next week.

In our area the state vet says to assume 100% of flocks have some strain of Mareks, lots of studies say 80% or more of flocks have Mareks. Many flocks have Mareks with no issues and no symptoms.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Many flocks have Mareks with no issues and no symptoms

This is true, at least in my experience. Right now, you wouldn't ever guess my flock was positive, and most of my birds aren't vaccinated either

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

It is given in the back of the neck just under the skin. Here is a video from a hatchery:

It is given in the back of the neck just under the skin. Here is a video from a hatchery:

This video isn’t clear. The camera is poorly placed. All I can see is the back of the woman’s hand.

 

[2ndTink]

This is true, at least in my experience. Right now, you wouldn't ever guess my flock was positive, and most of my birds aren't vaccinated either

Same, I have a lot of unvaccinated chickens that haven't ever shown any signs of Mareks either.

 

[Bawkbok]

In this world today, as prevalent as this disease is and with all modern scientific technology, you would think by now we would have found a solution. What a complex problem.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

In this world today, as prevalent as this disease is and with all modern scientific technology, you would think by now we would have found a solution. What a complex problem.

Well, the same could be said for human herpes, but we still have some forms that you just get and are stuck with. And the big poultry producers don't need anything more protective than the current vaccine, so why waste money trying to make a new one?

 

[Folly's place]

Some diseases are just difficult! As mentioned, human herpes is one example, not to mention the money and work it takes to make any influenza vaccine newly relevant each year!
There isn't as much funding for ongoing Marek's vaccine development, although there is work being done on it (at least a few years ago).
Chicks we buy from hatcheries are vaccinated there before shipping, and chicks hatched here aren't vaccinated. This gives me that 'canaries in the coal mine' information that is helpful.
And we don't have near neighbors with chickens, and are very careful about biosecurity, and so far, no Marek's disease.
We have had birds tested occasionally too.
Mary

 

[2ndTink]

Well, the same could be said for human herpes, but we still have some forms that you just get and are stuck with. And the big poultry producers don't need anything more protective than the current vaccine, so why waste money trying to make a new one?

Exactly, us backyard flock owners are contributing enough $ for the vaccine companies to care about.

As long as the vaccine keeps the meat chickens alive from hatch to the 8 to 10 weeks when they are butchered, and the layer hens until about 2 years old, all is good enough.