We have 12 10-week-old chicks that have outgrown their coop. We ordered them from McMurray with the intention of rehoming some before they moved out of the indoor brooder box. That didn't happen and now I can't imagine parting with any of them lol. We have an ample backyard where they free range during the day, but it's pretty cramped in the coop at night and early morning.
Here's my question/dilemma: We have Marek's in our flock of two remaining hens (they were at the bottom of the pecking order and are very skittish, but docile, although you never know...). Even though the chicks have been vaccinated against Marek's, there's still a risk they will contract it. Our hens are beyond our backyard downhill in a fenced in small orchard. I suspect, given the way Mareks is transmitted by dander and dust, that they've already been exposed to the virus, but I'm wondering when I can/should start integrating them. I know Weeks 12-30 is the most critical mortality time for Mareks, but there's no way we can keep 12 birds in the backyard coop we have and can no longer rehome them since they've been outside and exposed to the virus (unless we find someone with Mareks already in their flock, but even then that seems unethical).
I've been reading up on the most stress-free way of integrating chicks with hens, but am wondering if anyone has any advice about when I should start integrating them and any tips on the best way to do so.
Side note: it's so stressful waiting to see if your chicks will develop Mareks, a truly awful disease. I've read the Mareks article on BYC (so helpful!) and sometimes wonder if I should just stop having chickens altogether for 4-5 years until the virus cycles out
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
Here's my question/dilemma: We have Marek's in our flock of two remaining hens (they were at the bottom of the pecking order and are very skittish, but docile, although you never know...). Even though the chicks have been vaccinated against Marek's, there's still a risk they will contract it. Our hens are beyond our backyard downhill in a fenced in small orchard. I suspect, given the way Mareks is transmitted by dander and dust, that they've already been exposed to the virus, but I'm wondering when I can/should start integrating them. I know Weeks 12-30 is the most critical mortality time for Mareks, but there's no way we can keep 12 birds in the backyard coop we have and can no longer rehome them since they've been outside and exposed to the virus (unless we find someone with Mareks already in their flock, but even then that seems unethical).
I've been reading up on the most stress-free way of integrating chicks with hens, but am wondering if anyone has any advice about when I should start integrating them and any tips on the best way to do so.
Side note: it's so stressful waiting to see if your chicks will develop Mareks, a truly awful disease. I've read the Mareks article on BYC (so helpful!) and sometimes wonder if I should just stop having chickens altogether for 4-5 years until the virus cycles out
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
Going to start making the transition this weekend, although I'm going to miss seeing the chicks sleeping on the cool concrete on our patio right next to the sliding glass door, looking at me with such expectation of an icy wading pool or frozen grapes LOL.
