Confirmed Marek's flock, what now

[kookiekittie]

Hi,
We just got our pcr test results back that we have Marek's in our chickens. We have a large mixed flock of 100 plus birds including chickens, geese, ducks. I'm just trying to figure out what I can do now. I won't sell any of the birds anymore, but can I still sell hatching eggs? Does the virus live on the outside of the eggs at all?

Also wondering what everyone's thoughts are on breeding for resistance vs vaccinating? I've always enjoyed breeding chickens, but after losing so many this year I don't know if I should just cull my roosters and buy chicks instead.

 

[User690263]

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

 

[Mill Chick]

I sorry to hear that you chickens have merely!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry to hear about your losses.

While Marek's is not transmitted to the embryo of the egg, it's possible that the virus could be on shell of hatching eggs. The virus is found in dust, dander, feather follicles, etc. It's shed.

Vaccinating chicks may give them some protection, but they do need to be quarantined away from existing flocks for approximately 2weeks for the vaccine to take.
The vaccine may lessen the chance of tumor formation, but does not prevent infection from the virus.

Breeding forward for resistance may be an avenue to explore, some people do, but I believe they keep a closed flock.

This article will walk you through one keeper's journey.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-i-learned-to-deal-with-mareks-disease.76944/


Here's more information about Marek's disease, the types/forms and how it's transmitted.
http://extension.msstate.edu/agriculture/livestock/poultry/diseases-poultry
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/neoplasms-in-poultry/marek-s-disease-in-poultry
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PS044