- Nov 21, 2012
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- 2
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Okay everyone... In the last 2 months we have lost 2 laying hens to Marek's disease (necropsy & histopath confirmed). Yesterday, I noticed one of the other hens acting funny, hanging around in the coop during the day, and just beginning to display what appears to be symptoms like the other two.
I have been reading all articles I can get my hands on about Mareks, including the BYC "Giant Marek's Disease Post". I've read that when symptoms are present, the affected chicken begins to shed the virus at a larger rate. None of the chickens were vaccinated, but this is my first go at chickens, and at the time, I didn't know better....
I am aware that all the girls are carriers now, but wondering if larger amounts of the virus in the environment will increase the chances that the other hens will "come down with" the symptoms.
Although the symptomatic hen is still eating a little, I have a feeling that it will only be a matter of a few days before she's stumbling around and eventually immobile...
Do I go ahead and take her to the vet to put her down - for the sake of the rest, or does it matter at this point? I hate to end her life before it's 'her time', but I'm also worried about my other girls....
Any advice is ABSOLUTELY appreciated!
I have been reading all articles I can get my hands on about Mareks, including the BYC "Giant Marek's Disease Post". I've read that when symptoms are present, the affected chicken begins to shed the virus at a larger rate. None of the chickens were vaccinated, but this is my first go at chickens, and at the time, I didn't know better....
I am aware that all the girls are carriers now, but wondering if larger amounts of the virus in the environment will increase the chances that the other hens will "come down with" the symptoms.
Although the symptomatic hen is still eating a little, I have a feeling that it will only be a matter of a few days before she's stumbling around and eventually immobile...
Do I go ahead and take her to the vet to put her down - for the sake of the rest, or does it matter at this point? I hate to end her life before it's 'her time', but I'm also worried about my other girls....
Any advice is ABSOLUTELY appreciated!