Has anyone had good luck using Hypericum for Marek's?

[duluthralphie]

I find immolating what I see on "reality" TV shows always makes my life better.....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well best wishes! The isolation is to protect flock members who may not have already been infected. I would never assume they all are in this case.

Here's a good read for you, long but very educational
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[shannon84]

Eh, it's carried by dandruff. If he does have Marek's, then the rest of the flock has already been exposed, and he'll be a carrier for the rest of his life anyway. Isolation tends to kill sick birds faster in any case (in my experience, anyway. Unless they're completely miserable, they're flock animals and they get very stressed away from a flock.)

Yeah I tried to isolate him and that's when he became totally immobilized, it was instantly, he hates my husband and is fearful of him and when he caught him it traumatized that rooster badly, I wish I never even told him to do it. But now looking back I seen the symptom's of stumbling and clumsiness and walking on his toe and curled under. I'm just hoping I'll be able to raise a healthy flock after these pass away.

 

[shannon84]

Hi, Debbie Downer's clone here.

Nothing is known to cure Marak's. If you have a bird with it, the best thing you can do is dispatch it fast and hope it did not shed too many cells with the virus in them.

Marak's is everywhere. If you are lucky they will pick up the turkey herpes virus and become immune. or have so few cells around them they develop an immunity. The state vets tell me the latter is nigh on impossible.

I vaccinate for Marak's. It is a PITA to do, but it saves me spending time and money on a bird only to have them die at 3-4 months of age. Or having to dispatch them at that age.

Sorry to hear about your rooster. You really need to think about the rest of your birds now and write the rooster off.
Good Luck in whatever you do.

He was a stray rooster that showed up 3 years ago, I never owned chickens before, so I took him in I think he was around one years of age. I got the two adult hens off my dad, not sure if they're vaccinated though. Oh I'll vaccinate for sure if I own chickens again.

 

[duluthralphie]

He was a stray rooster that showed up 3 years ago, I never owned chickens before, so I took him in I think he was around one years of age. I got the two adult hens off my dad, not sure if they're vaccinated though. Oh I'll vaccinate for sure if I own chickens again.

It is unusual for a bird to show signs of Marak's that late in life but not unheard of. Most die before 6 months of age from it. I am fairly sure there is some natural resistance from my own experiences, but I am also sure the survivors shed cells infecting the young. It is just one ugly chicken disease.

 

[shannon84]

It is unusual for a bird to show signs of Marak's that late in life but not unheard of. Most die before 6 months of age from it. I am fairly sure there is some natural resistance from my own experiences, but I am also sure the survivors shed cells infecting the young. It is just one ugly chicken disease.

It is a terrible and disturbing disease, it's awful to watch. He went from being this big proud attacking rooster to a helpless baby. I'm happy he doesn't attack me anymore though lol. Maybe its a heavy metal poisoning? I don't leave anything out like that .Yard stays clean, but it's possible he got a hold of something.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

It must be sooo frustrating not actually knowing for certain whether or not he has Mareks I know I would probably become quite obsessed if I were in that situation! You seem to be keeping a level head about it - hat's off to you!

 

[shannon84]

It must be sooo frustrating not actually knowing for certain whether or not he has Mareks I know I would probably become quite obsessed if I were in that situation! You seem to be keeping a level head about it - hat's off to you!

Oh I am obsessed, my family and friends are probably sick of hearing about it lol. I stay on the internet non stop researching. I really haven't been having a level head with this situation I'm in , I've been a mess our holidays had to revolve around him even.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Oh I am obsessed, my family and friends are probably sick of hearing about it lol. I stay on the internet non stop researching. I really haven't been having a level head with this situation I'm in , I've been a mess our holidays had to revolve around him even.

OK well that at least makes me feel more normal
Seriously though, you're doing a good job trying to help him, I truly hope it turns out to be something other than Mareks, but if it is - well that too can be managed. Best of luck!

 

[duluthralphie]

Oh I am obsessed, my family and friends are probably sick of hearing about it lol. I stay on the internet non stop researching. I really haven't been having a level head with this situation I'm in , I've been a mess our holidays had to revolve around him even.

The picture you showed is classic Marak's. If you necropsy him you should find the tendons in the knees will be rough and feel like sandpaper almost. He could have white spots behind his eyes. There could be spots on his internal organs also.
I know it sounds gross but that is the only way to tell for sure.