If you've had Mereks can you sell chickens anymore?

[Cottage Rose]

I was told because I had Mereks in my flock in the past I should never sell any chickens again because all my birds are now "carriers."
What are the facts?

 

[pips&peeps]

I would say that if you have birds that were with the group that was infected I wouldn't sell those unless someone really wanted them and was aware of the previous problem.

But you could sell your eggs and if you have a "clean" area to hatch chicks, you could sell those too.

And, you could sell started birds from your flock that had been vaccinated.

 

[texasbartrambaby]

I agree - most hatchery stock have been exposed, have they not? With the vaccine I would "assume" it would be fine, but I am not an expert by any means! Eggs do not carry any disease do they?

 

[speckledhen]

Eggs do carry some diseases, but not Mareks. They do carry lymphoid leukosis, which has similar symptoms to Mareks, plus CRD and a few other things. Now, dander ON hatching eggs, if it travels with the shipped eggs, may possibly spread Mareks, but not in the egg.

 

[CarriBrown]

Marek's is a nasty, nasty thing and it spreads very easily. It can also stay in the vicinity after birds have been removed. So, even if you cull your flock, your new flock can very well pick it up.
IMO, it is unethical to sell any birds, no matter the age, knowing your flock is infected. As far as eggs, there are different opinions. Marek's does not spread through eggs. However, I wouldn't risk it.

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
Yes, and LL looks an awful lot like Marek's. Personally, I would feel terrible if I infected another flock.

 

[texasbartrambaby]

I agree - that is why I always get hatching eggs and deal with the odds.

 

[CityChicker]

Ditto what others have said already. You could sell eggs or chicks that have been vaccinated. Anything other than that can spread the disease to other farms and it is hard to get rid of it once you have it in your birds.

 

[HatTrickSilkies]

Hey Vicky,

Here's a good article on Marek's http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page9.htm

 

[MoodyChicken]

With any other carrier disease, yes. But Marek's Disease is found in the soil everywhere. It's safe to say that every flock has it, but most birds are naturally resistant. That's very honorable of you to care though! Nowadays too many breeders sell off sick stock. But in the case of MD, if you chicken breathes air, it likely has MD. So don't worry. Vaccinate to minimize losses, and breed for resistancy. You'll be doing them a favor by selling them genetically strong stock.