Complicated situation - need advice

[NickF]

Hi everybody,

I currently have a very lonely chicken (Jumpy) after we had to get her friend (Wanda) put down this week. There's a strong chance Wanda had Marek's, which has me very concerned about how to keep Jumpy happy.

She's been alone for a couple of days now, and even though I've spent a lot of time with her she is clearly very depressed on her own. I'd love to get another chicken or two to keep her company, but I'm worried about bringing new birds into an environment that may have traces of Marek's.

Jumpy doesn't seem to have any sign of Marek's, and it's possible Wanda was struck by something else, so I might be worried about nothing, but I just wanted to get some thoughts on what the safest way to go about this would be just in case?

I'd really appreciate any advice because this is doing my head in!

 

[Mrs. K]

I too think you are worrying amiss. If one of your birds had it, then the other one does too. If she is not sick, then I would think that the other one died of something else, they often do die.

If you are very worried, buy birds that have been vaccinated against it.

If you had a huge flock, or were buying a huge flock, then I would take the possible infection much more seriously, but not for 2-3 birds.

I think you could just add some birds, and keep on keeping some chickens. I have often had birds die, and just replace them. Chickens often do not live for a long time. Chickens do need other chickens, they are flock birds.

Mrs K

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I would get her some friends. Let her forage while you disenfect the coop. Then maybe a few days to a 2 weeks later I would get her some friends.

If you are familiar with Marek's then you would know that NO amount of disinfection will handle it.

Nick... how old was Wanda? It's too bad you weren't able to get a necropsy which would confirm Marek's or not. If you face it again, consider refrigerating and sending the body in to your state lab. Testing is often free or affordable to back yarders. Sorry for your loss BTW.

How old is Jumpy? You might be able to find some pullets that have been vaccinated against Marek's... either on your local craigslist, farm and garden section or even here on BYC. Or you could order Marek's vaccinated chicks from a hatchery and be sure to keep them in and quarantined while the vaccine gains efficacy. Or you could get non vaccinated birds and take your chances... NOT all will succumb! I *may* have seen Marek's a while back... one chick started limping and became paralyzed, I treated for E deficiency for 3 weeks before deciding that was non life and culled. After that 3 weeks another chicks started limping with NO sign of injury and I culled immediately. Those were the ONLY 2 birds I "lost"... out of 82+. I hatch chicks all the time and raise them... without vaccine... Marek's vaccine doesn't stop the birds from getting the virus, it stops them from getting the tumors that cause paralysis if/when they do catch MDV... so you simply wouldn't notice that your birds were carrying it. Some people are OK with that. I breed my birds with purpose and I am not OK with MDV hiding in my flock... so I want it to present so it can be snuffed out instead of continuing to basically being a bunch of typhoid Mary's (aka asymptomatic carriers).

The best single place for accurate information on Marek's that I have seen so far...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

One final option... cull her too and start over with all fresh vaccinated chicks or be done altogether... really depends on what's going on in your life and how YOU feel.

 

[townchicks]

If it were me, I'd look for some adult birds that need a home, and get at least two. If it is Marek's, older birds may be more resistant and/or already carriers. There is always some risk involved when adding birds, but your girl will do much better with a flock. Intros should always be done gradually, before you bring any new bird or birds home, set up a place where they can see but not get at each other. Let them get used to each other for a couple of weeks, before putting them together.

 

[NickF]

Thanks for the replies!

EggSighted - Jumpy is about 3 1/2, Wanda was a couple of months older - I know that's not young but there's no reason she can't live another couple of years if I can keep her happy.

Culling is not an option - she's the last one from my little flock and up until we lost Wanda she was perfectly happy and energetic.

I might roll the dice with a couple of older vaccinated birds because I can't stand to see her so sad and scared.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Jumpy is about 3 1/2, Wanda was a couple of months older

That's a good age, I agree she *could* live longer... some even 10+ years!

Did you have another thread you did for Wanda... or mind chatting symptoms, why she had to be put down or what made it seem like Marek's since many things can look alike? Also, what breed? And what do you feed including treats and supplements regularly? And putting your general location in your profile might help other make more valid suggestions without having to ask. Do you want to share a pic in honor of her memory?

Hope Jumpy finds a new friend soon.