I had that one bird with the cloudy eye...it bulged out a bit... and he died in a couple of days. The necropsy of my dead birds showed no sign of tumors indicating mareks, but the lab work came to that conclusion. I was more worried about encephalitis because we have EEE around here and people can get it...dogs can get it...
anyway, after doing much research and talking to the extension folks Ive come to the conclusion that mareks is incredibly widespread and that most flocks have it one way or another. The older birds are immune, and if you get vaccinated birds they are immune. Keeping turkeys gives babies some immunity as well....
I can see culling sick birds because they have a pathetic death and they all do die, but IM not gonna go crazy and cull them all and worry about other birds.
many people have had outbreaks and when its over, they just go on assuming that the remaining birds are immune.
Some birds get mareks but dont get the tumors that cause the horrible death. The vaccine actually doesnt stop mareks but only the tumors.
Its a confusing subject because people will say to cull the whole flock, clean your place up, and start again.
The truth is that even if you buy only vaccinated birds, 5% of those vaccinated are not protected and also if the vaccine is not mixed right or used quickly, it will be useless. The vaccine also is only effective in day old birds. Those birds need to be kept in total isolation from other birds for 10 days. even clothes worn into where they are have to be changed so as not to bring the shedding virus to other birds.
the idea of culling an entire flock has to do with large operations that produce food. culling the bird itself is a matter of humane treatment and quality of life.
if the chicken hasn't died of the eye problem and its not bulging out, it may just be something else.
The extension vet can help, but be aware that some of the advice they give is aimed at farms or egg/meat producers. so be sure to state if these are pet chickens or just personal or local egg production.
good luck...
Im always interested in seeing what people decide because Ive just been through this myself and my remaining flock is stable...Im unlikely to cull them or to not bring in new birds...but I am getting vaccinated birds next...and I am running a couple of turkeys with my flock which imparts immunity supposedly.
