Eggs fertilised by Mareks cockerel

[EggQueen]

Hi everyone

I've just lost my two beautiful roos to Mareks disease :-( However, I believe that one of them managed to fertilise some eggs before succumbing. My question is, is it ok to hatch/eat these eggs, or does the Mareks have some effect on them?

Thanks,

EggQueen

 

[schnebbles]

I'm pretty sure you can do both. My chickens have mareks and the eggs are fine. I know people hatch them as well. It's not transferred to the chicks, the chick has to be hatched and then contract it. Sorry about your roos, I found my silkie dead today and i'm sure it was mareks.

 

[EggQueen]

Thanks, schnebbles. Sorry about your silkie :-( One of my roos was a silkie too - I believe they're very susceptible to Marek's.

 

[schnebbles]

Thanks. Yes, I've heard that too. I have a silkie roo too, I hope my boys don't get it. They are my last 2 from last year. I've lost 6 pullets, all I had. SUCKS! Makes me so angry

 

[Nambroth]

I hope I can help! Yes, silkies seem to be very susceptible to Marek's, for whatever reason. It has to do with genetics and I am just not an expert in this.

Anyhow, Marek's can not be vertically transmitted. Meaning, the virus is not passed on through the egg, if you are sure it is Marek's disease (and not Avian Lymphoid Leukosis which CAN be passed through the egg).
A chick that is hatched from hen and/or rooster with Marek's disease will not get the disease simply because of their heritage. However, the moment they hatch and are exposed to the virus, they will contract it. Only time and their immune system will tell if they will show symptoms or not. But, once exposed, they have the virus for life, even if they NEVER show signs.

To this end, you must be aware that any chicken that has been with your rooster(s) in the last few months, or has been in the same airspace as your roosters, is now carrying Marek's virus and might be 'shedding' it. It becomes airbore in tiny chicken dander (dust) from their feathers, and all a chicken needs to do is breathe it in to become infected. Many chickens build resistance to it and may never get sick. But some will, obviously and sadly. If you brood the egg with a hen, she will be very likely to give the virus to her chicks once they hatch.

So, you must decide carefully how you want to raise your chick. You could clean the shell off carefully, and incubate it indoors in an incubator, and then vaccinate it as soon as it hatches and dries, then keep it in strict quarantine for a minimum of 3-4 weeks. This would give it the best chance at building resistance.
Or, you could let a hen brood and just hope for the best.

There is no right or wrong answer, but the second method is generally more risky.

As far as eating the eggs, yes it is totally safe.

I hope this answers your questions!