Can a flock survive Marek's?

[Ruby Law]

I have ten 10-week old chicks (a slow-growing breed called Bresse) and one is starting to show symptoms: hard time moving one leg, not standing as much, sleeping more than the others, crop is full way too often, aim is a little off when pecking.



I am inclined to take him to be euthanized and autopsied right away as isolation doesn't seem to do much from what I have read -- he has already lived in the yard and coop with everyone else his whole life. But at least that way I'll know if I have to be terrified or not.



Someone wrote on this forum that a flock can survive Marek's disease. But then they have to be isolated forever, right? Are the chickens that survive forever weakened? Or can they live normally for years?



And now the ground is contaminated, so we can never have Marek-free birds here, right? So do we just cull the flock and give up? All these thoughts are breaking my heart.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Your flock can survive Marek’s disease, but they’ll be carriers for life. That means you should not sell or give away any of your birds, however you can still sell eggs for eating. Yes, Marek’s can cause a compromised immune system, but the birds with it can definitely live normally for years, too, as long as you’re careful. It’s best to keep your flock as stress-free as possible.