Dominique Thread!

[centrarchid]

Between 0 and 2%. Most years loser to the zero end and zero so far. This year I had only about 150 at peak and now below 100.

 

[The Yakima Kid]

Unless a detailed autopsy were done on a dead bird, I don't know how one could know that the death was caused by Marek's disease.

My understanding is that the disease is quite uncommon, except in commercial situations where the birds are over crowded, nutrition is poor and they are stressed = immunocompromised. Also, I've read a study that states that if there are wild turkeys in the area, Marek's dz. does not affect chickens. ? if they carry a less virulent strain that imparts some immunity?? Just guessing here.

No, it's not most common in commercial situations; it's most prevalent in backyard flocks.

The old method of immunizing for Marek's, based on observation, was to place a turkey poult or a lot of turkey feathers in the brooder. Unfortunately, since viruses change over time, this apparently is less effective than it used to be. Turkeys carry a related virus.

Most states offer backyard keepers cheap or free poultry necropsies through their agricultural colleges; I strongly recommend using these services.

 

[The Yakima Kid]

FWIW, there are several terrific breeders on the West Coast: Janice with her show winning bantams, Heaven and her partner Rhonda with both bantam and a nice strain of large fowl they've been making great strides at improving for several years now, and Emmet also has some fine large fowl (Time for the Membership Pitch) For a mere $10.00, you can join the Dominique Club of America, which gets you access to the breeder and member list. (Sometimes people have extra birds to sell even if they don't list themselves as breeders) In addition, you can read years' worth of articles in the archives, and there's a lively member's only FB page that is full of helpful, friendly people. If you're serious about the breed, it's money well spent.

I am a member. I've made numerous requests regarding obtaining large fowl. Sigh.

 

[The Yakima Kid]

Oh, I know, I know! Only because I read this last week. The Marek's Disease vaccines are from a modified turkey herpes virus. It lessens the effect of one version or strain of Marek's but is not similar enough to the other strains to have a noticable effect.

When given to individuals with immature immune systems, using a similar but different disease is usually safer. Doesn't always last as long or protect as completely but it's safer and can sometimes make it past maternal antibodies.

Cowpox and smallpox started the whole vaccination idea. Milkmaids got cowpox but didn't get smallpox, a deadly disease running rampant at the time. So .... forget his name gave some people cowpox and after they recovered from the much MUCH milder problem of cowpox they didn't catch smallpox.

Actually the original smallpox immunization came from Africa by way of Turkey. It used the actual smallpox virus. Jenner observed the effectiveness of this, and then noted that milkmaids didn't tend to smallpox. He took the cowpox they stated they had had and substituted it for smallpox in his immunizations.

The rest is history. Jennerization is also how the Lakota/Nakota/Dakota went from being a minor tribe paying tribute to groups like the Mandan, Hadatsa, and Arikara to the war power of the Plains - while other tribes died of smallpox, they had all been Jennerized following the advice of trappers who had intermarried with them. They had a medal struck and sent to Jenner.

 

[The Yakima Kid]

Fun with Marek's:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/neoplasms/mareks_disease_in_poultry.html

http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf

http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/mareks/index.aspx

http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/2.03.13_MAREK_DIS.pdf

http://www.thecuckoopoultrystudofaustralia.com/mareks-disease.html

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page9.htm

I just edited this to add more information.

 

[matt44644]

58 days old at time of pic

 

[The Yakima Kid]

58 days old at time of pic

Oooooh! Fluffy girl.

 

[Alaskan]

58 days old at time of pic

very pretty!

 

[Gardenlady2]

Here's a better picture of my unknown chick. 2 weeks old. Front & center. Solid black head & beak & legs except for one orange middle toe on each foot.
Father is Dominique or Delaware. Mother (not broody) is Doninique or Welsummer.

 

[VegaJones]

Hatch day 13...so far 15 out of 20 eggs look well developed good veins and lots of movement inside heres hoping for a good hatch. These will be my first dominiques!e