Chicken Introduction and Marek's

[judiker]

Good morning! I find myself in a situation that I would love some outside perspective on.

Context:
I have a flock of four chickens that are kept secure in a large run. They likely carry Marek's disease as I've had necroscopies come back with signs of it in the past. From what I've read Marek's is very infectious so its more likely than not that all of my chickens are now carriers though they are all healthy with no visible symptoms.

The Issue at Hand:
A lone chicken started visiting my chicken run regularly, though she would run immediately if approached. After at least a week or so of this I learned from neighbors that her flock was abandoned and the rest of them had been picked off by predators. It took a lot of effort but I was able to capture her and have been quarantining her for 30 days. She seems perfectly healthy.

My Question:
Would it be irresponsible to introduce this new chicken to my flock?

My flock can be assumed to all carry Marek's. The new chicken got very close to my flock in her visits so there's a good chance she was exposed to Marek's then if she wasn't already a carrier. But if she somehow wasn't exposed, then adding her to my flock could be lethal. Naturally I have no idea about her vaccination history. I suppose I could get the new chicken tested for Marek's at my vet but I wonder if its worth it. Even if she comes back Marek's free, I don't know if I could find her a Marek's free flock to join.

Honestly maybe I'm just looking for reassurance. Grateful for any opinions!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

Like you said, she's been visiting your chicken run, and if yours are still carrying it, she's got it already then, if she didn't before.

I certainly wouldn't have any qualms about keeping and caring for her since her previous owners abandoned them. I would inspect her over well for mites or lice first, which you've probably already done. The 30 days of quarantine should be sufficient.

 

[azygous]

Your plight precisely parallels one I had many years ago. I also had a rescue hen I adopted after her original owner moved and abandoned their flock to be all picked off by predators except for this one hen.

My flock also carries an avian virus similar to Marek's. But as I was considering whether to adopt her from the animal shelter she had been turned into, I was more concerned with her carrying other contagious diseases that could infect my flock. After a vet gave her a thorough exam, I went and fetched her and brought her home to my flock. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

But your rescue hen has already made this concern moot by visiting your flock. Any disease she may carry, she has already exposed your flock to it, and vice versa. So, my generous and kind chicken lover, go ahead and take her in. Use the tips outlined in the article I linked to to make the integration go smoother.

 

[The Moonshiner]

What's the choices again?
Take her in and maybe lose her to marek's or not take her in where she will get taken by a predator?
Ya I'd be worried if my flock was marek's free but if yours aren't...