Let's talk about Mareks... Looking for people who deal with in their flock

[AudieWarren]

I sure will. So does is sound like mareks? Am I reaching here?

 

[Geena]

Scabby and skinny doesn't sound like Mareks. Are you sure they don't have some sort of external parasites, lice or mites?

 

[Kiki]

I sure will. So does is sound like mareks? Am I reaching here?

No actually it does not sound like the classic Marek's to me.

 

[staceyj]

Following...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There is so much information floating about concerning Mareks. I'm pretty sure my flock might have it.... Thanks local auction for having the breed I was looking.... Anyway I am thinking the kind I am seeing is either visceral or.... That which effects the skin... (having a brain fart and can't remember the name of it) I have culled a few hens at this point. Tomorrow morning I plan to do a few more. If they aren't healthy AND producing eggs, I don't have use for them. I know that sounds harsh, but that's the truth of it. I have livestock not pets. I love them and want the best, but I am not going to babysit sick birds. I have a hen with one cat eye. She doesn't lay anymore, but acts fine. She survived a major injury to her thigh too. She's one tough cookie. I have a runty rooster.. A have a pullet with a eye that is at half mast. She has a sister and they are both runty. The 2 I've culled had scabby skin on thier backs and were looking emaciated . Culling was the most humane thing to do. I guess I'm asking what's your opinion? Any feedback is welcome.

Getting the testing performed will give you the best answers.

There should be no apology for culling birds that are not productive, your goal is egg production. Culling is also used to help control disease.

Marek's is a complicated disease and symptoms can be very confusing, so getting testing and confirmation is a good idea.

You mention scabby skin? Is it like lesions or Ulcers? Skin lesions/form in Marek's would be "Cutaneous Form". That would be typical of white bumps on the skin with crusty brown scabs and enlarged inflamed looking feather follicles
"Visceral Form" is tumors on internal organs - heart, live, ovaries, lungs and sometimes brain (this would go hand in hand with the neurological symptoms sometimes seen in Marek's)

Warning/ the following link does show sick birds and necropsy photos:
See the Cornell link for photos of Marek's in chickens-be sure to look at the "gross lesions" as well as the clinical signs tab.
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502#/disease/Marek's_Disease

One of the very best articles on Marek's.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

I do not have first hand experience with Marek's. Hopefully @rebrascora @Nambroth and @orrpeople will chime in.

 

[AudieWarren]

Getting the testing performed will give you the best answers.

There should be no apology for culling birds that are not productive, your goal is egg production. Culling is also used to help control disease.

Marek's is a complicated disease and symptoms can be very confusing, so getting testing and confirmation is a good idea.

You mention scabby skin? Is it like lesions or Ulcers? Skin lesions/form in Marek's would be "Cutaneous Form". That would be typical of white bumps on the skin with crusty brown scabs and enlarged inflamed looking feather follicles
"Visceral Form" is tumors on internal organs - heart, live, ovaries, lungs and sometimes brain (this would go hand in hand with the neurological symptoms sometimes seen in Marek's)

Warning/ the following link does show sick birds and necropsy photos:
See the Cornell link for photos of Marek's in chickens-be sure to look at the "gross lesions" as well as the clinical signs tab.
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502#/disease/Marek's_Disease

One of the very best articles on Marek's.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

I do not have first hand experience with Marek's. Hopefully @rebrascora @Nambroth and @orrpeople will chime in.

Thank you thank you thank you!! The pictures of the "scabby" skin is very reflective of what I have seen. After today's cull, I plan to do an necropsy to see any internal lesions. I might have had a pullet have paralysis.... I thought she was hurt from an over zealous rooster.... Who earned his way to camp kitchen... Anyway your reply has been very helpful.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Hopefully you can get this all sorted out! You’ve got some great people helping you out here!
Currently my bird is getting a necropsy to check for Mareks but we don’t get the results until tomorrow, it’s hard to be patient sometimes, haha!

 

[AudieWarren]

Scabby and skinny doesn't sound like Mareks. Are you sure they don't have some sort of external parasites, lice or mites?

they are mite /lice free

Hopefully you can get this all sorted out! You’ve got some great people helping you out here!
Currently my bird is getting a necropsy to check for Mareks but we don’t get the results until tomorrow, it’s hard to be patient sometimes, haha!

It sure is. I did an at home necropsy and took pictures of one I culled about 7:30 this morning. I'm going to compare pictures tonight when things slow down.

 

[Kiki]

they are mite /lice free

It sure is. I did an at home necropsy and took pictures of one I culled about 7:30 this morning. I'm going to compare pictures tonight when things slow down.

Feel free to share the pics so others can learn too.

 

[microchick]

I have Marek's in my flock and have lost 2/3s of my Buff O-Welsummer birds. I had nearly 40 at one point and I am now down to 13, 11 hens and 2 roosers. I also have a flock of about 35 bantam and bantam crosses.

I've lost birds to Ocular Marek's, Visceral Marek's and Neurological Marek's. I would be interested in seeing a picture of one of your bird's funky eyes. My husband is a retired eye doctor and I made my diagnosis by having him use a hand held microscope on one of my affected bird's eyes. He was able to confirm a herpes infection and damage for me. The true Marek's eyes on a chicken is very distinctive.

I have to disagree about the skinny part not sounding like Marek's. MD birds are notorious for being unthrifty and hard to keep weight on them. At least my birds have been and the birds as they reach the final stages of the disease/tumors for example, are all walking skeletons when I put them down.

Hope you don't have this horrible disease in your flock. I lost 5 birds all showing signs of Marek's this past summer, all within a months time. I don't cull until they decline sharply for example I had a rooster who looked thin but when he started having problems eating and I discovered three tumors in his throat, I put him down immediately. I won't let them suffer nor will I let them starve to death so yes, I can sympathize with your thoughts on culling