/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Genetically predisposed to Marek's disease?

Discussion in 'General breed discussions & FAQ' started by TeamChaos, Aug 23, 2013.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Aug 23, 2013 #1
    TeamChaos

    TeamChaos Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,068
    8
    163
    Nov 8, 2009
    Hi there- we've had several deaths in our flock that look suspiciously like Marek's disease but all of the deceased birds had their father in common- a silver EE rooster who ultimately succumbed to the disease himself. No other birds have been effected... could there be a link or am I just trying to make sense of random losses?
    Thanks!
     
  3. Aug 24, 2013 #2
    Henk69

    Henk69 Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,759
    37
    183
    Nov 29, 2008
    Groesbeek Netherlands
    The disease itself spreads horizontally. The virus is not transmitted thru the eggs (inside).
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal_disease_transmission
    The genetic (lack of) resistance by definition is propagated vertically.

    In classic Marek's, diseased animals fail to reproduce. Your rooster would have to be somewhat resistant already.

    The chicks get infected in their first days by the dust from the old/other animals.
    The hatching eggs should be incubated dustfree for that reason, and the chicks should be raised away from the other animals' dust for a few weeks.
     
  5. Aug 24, 2013 #3
    TeamChaos

    TeamChaos Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,068
    8
    163
    Nov 8, 2009
    Thank you so much!
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by