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2ndTink said:
Welcome to BYC! I wish it was under happier circumstances but, we're here to help as much as we can.

So I purchased some chicks late last summer and introduced Mareks into my flock. I had my first sick bird in October, didn't know what was going on and didn't have a necropsy done until I lost a second one in Dec. Not having a clue about Mareks I already had chicks hatched and more in the incubator when the results came back. I immediately began vaccinating all the younger chicks and vaccinated all the new ones at hatch.

I did not cull out my existing flock, I had chickens up to 4 years old and everyone has been doing fine. I did lose a couple young ones this year but determined I had used a vaccine that hadn't been stored properly on one hatch. I've had minimal losses of older birds, I checked a few and found fatty liver issues and reproductive cancers.

Check which version of the vaccine the hatchery uses, some use 2 or 3 different serotypes, research indicates, the more the better. The vaccine we can get for backyard flocks is the least effective one, but it has proven successful for my flock. I've had zero Mareks losses from my properly vaccinated chicks hatched this year!
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Thanks so much for the info...makes me feel a whole lot more optimistic about the new batch we'll be getting in the spring. There is light at the end of the tunnel!!
 
TwoCrows said:
@2ndTink this past year had it sweep through her flock. Tagging her should alert her to come to this thread.

Here is a Search here on BYC of Marek's threads, many people have Marek's in the flock, unfortunately it is becoming more common. https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/66925921/?q=Marek's&t=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=10&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

You can also start a thread in our Emergency forum for more help ... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/
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Thank you for all the resources. It's been very helpful. Makes all this a little less scary!
 
Hiya, and welcome to BYC! :frow

As @TwoCrows mentioned above, Chinese Skullcap is found to have properties that may help. It can help stop or slow down the growth of cancerous tumors in those affected and can also be given in a preventative dosage, the latter I have been doing.

The site @2ndTink got me into on Facebook helps with learning more about it, if you are interested. You can message her or I as well.

Also, buying vaccinated chicks, or vaccinating your own chicks you hatch, as she does, is immensely important.
 
Debbie292d said:
Hiya, and welcome to BYC! :frow

As @TwoCrows mentioned above, Chinese Skullcap is found to have properties that may help. It can help stop or slow down the growth of cancerous tumors in those affected and can also be given in a preventative dosage, the latter I have been doing.

The site @2ndTink got me into on Facebook helps with learning more about it, if you are interested. You can message her or I as well.

Also, buying vaccinated chicks, or vaccinating your own chicks you hatch, as she does, is immensely important.
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I may look into using that as a preventative, but definately plan on obtaining vaccinated chicks in the spring. Don't think we'll bother attempting to keep these last few pullets we have...they appear to be experiencing worsening vision and listlessness. Please forward the info on the chinese skullcap, and thank you very much for the advice. I don't know about vaccinating them myself, it sounds complicated when I read up on it.
 
People who like chickens said:
I may look into using that as a preventative, but definately plan on obtaining vaccinated chicks in the spring. Don't think we'll bother attempting to keep these last few pullets we have...they appear to be experiencing worsening vision and listlessness. Please forward the info on the chinese skullcap, and thank you very much for the advice. I don't know about vaccinating them myself, it sounds complicated when I read up on it.
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This is the Facebook group. Check the Guides and Features tabs too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1697510814059724

If you don't have or want Facebook, one of us can cut/paste some of the basics, but rather you check it out as there is so much info and their research, plus other unverified but possible products that help as well.
 
Debbie292d said:
This is the Facebook group. Check the Guides and Features tabs too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1697510814059724

If you don't have or want Facebook, one of us can cut/paste some of the basics, but rather you check it out as there is so much info and their research, plus other unverified but possible products that help as well.
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Thanks so much! Waiting on a response to request to join group. Sounds really interesting.
 

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