Living with Marek's: Need real life experience

[Red Mangrove]

Why are some breeds of chickens immune to MD and others aren't? Look at Egyptian Fayoumis. I have 5 in my flock that are genetically resistant to MD plus are vaccinated (3 hens vaccinated one hatched/second generation). The oldest are three two years old now and the youngest 1 year old and they so far, knock on wood and cross my fingers, are doing great. I love watching these long necked, fiercely independent birds scratch around their big run in search of bugs. I pray that the scientists doing research into what makes these birds genetically resistant to MD so it can be passed on to the other breeds of chickens that we have in our flocks.

Till then we can only do what we are doing and that is hope that some of our chickens survive this horrible disease and build up resistance to it.

Silkies are one of the highest susceptible birds when it comes to MD. The birds that I lost the most to MD (and yes, at a rate of one a week and sometimes 2 a week) were Buff Orpingtons and yes, I felt crushing defeat when I read that they ranked up there with Silkies when it comes to MD.

Interesting. Fayoumi are a feral Egyptian landrace. Silkies on the other hand are the product of extreme inbreeding. I imagine that the genetic diversity difference between the two would have a hand in Marek's resistance

Sebrights are another breed highly suspectable to the disease

 

[microchick]

Interesting. Fayoumi are a feral Egyptian landrace. Silkies on the other hand are the product of extreme inbreeding. I imagine that the genetic diversity difference between the two would have a hand in Marek's resistance

Sebrights are another breed highly suspectable to the disease

Along with Cochins, Orpingtons, Japanese bantams, Welsummers to name a few others that are highly susceptible.

The local birds that I found to be resistant are Amish barnyard 'mutts'. What is interesting about that is some of the eggs that I hatched from local Amish stock showed signs of Cochin genes in that they had feather stubble on their legs and the egg provider told me that he had birds that pretty well matched my description of Cochins when I asked him about it, along with Game Fowl.

It would be interesting to see if like in dogs, cross breeding strengthens the immune systems and dilutes pure bred inbreeding defects that occur when animals are specialized.

I think today they were all worse. Falling over and unable to get back up. I had to pick them up several times. It’s heartbreaking watching them. I might have to do something about them tomorrow. I gave watched some videos on cervical dislocation. Just scared I will get it wrong

I'm so sorry to read this.

There are other ways to humanely cull. A sharp knife or razor blade (box cutter) across the throat just under the jaw will work. I use a .22 to the back of the skull that will sever the spine so the bird doesn't know what hit them. People who have used the cervical dislocation say that if you follow the instructions it does work.

Once again, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. It sux. None of us plan to kill our backyard babies when we get them unless they are birds destined to the dinner table but it's part of being an owner of small animal livestock, unfortunately and something that most of us have to deal with at one time or another during our adventures keeping chickens.

Let us know how things go. Just remember you aren't alone.

 

[Giskard]

Along with Cochins, Orpingtons, Japanese bantams, Welsummers to name a few others that are highly susceptible.

The local birds that I found to be resistant are Amish barnyard 'mutts'. What is interesting about that is some of the eggs that I hatched from local Amish stock showed signs of Cochin genes in that they had feather stubble on their legs and the egg provider told me that he had birds that pretty well matched my description of Cochins when I asked him about it, along with Game Fowl.

It would be interesting to see if like in dogs, cross breeding strengthens the immune systems and dilutes pure bred inbreeding defects that occur when animals are specialized.

I'm so sorry to read this.

There are other ways to humanely cull. A sharp knife or razor blade (box cutter) across the throat just under the jaw will work. I use a .22 to the back of the skull that will sever the spine so the bird doesn't know what hit them. People who have used the cervical dislocation say that if you follow the instructions it does work.

Once again, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. It sux. None of us plan to kill our backyard babies when we get them unless they are birds destined to the dinner table but it's part of being an owner of small animal livestock, unfortunately and something that most of us have to deal with at one time or another during our adventures keeping chickens.

Let us know how things go. Just remember you aren't alone.

My gardener has offered to come today and do it. He worked at a broiler farm so is experienced. I am in the UK so don’t have any cheap labs to use for testing. I am asking our local vets but they don’t seem to know much about chickens. The third lane one is in the classic Mareks pose this morning with one leg forward and one back toes curled. She can’t get about at all now

 

[h2oratt]

Along with Cochins, Orpingtons, Japanese bantams, Welsummers to name a few others that are highly susceptible.

The local birds that I found to be resistant are Amish barnyard 'mutts'. What is interesting about that is some of the eggs that I hatched from local Amish stock showed signs of Cochin genes in that they had feather stubble on their legs and the egg provider told me that he had birds that pretty well matched my description of Cochins when I asked him about it, along with Game Fowl.

It would be interesting to see if like in dogs, cross breeding strengthens the immune systems and dilutes pure bred inbreeding defects that occur when animals are specialized.

I'm so sorry to read this.

There are other ways to humanely cull. A sharp knife or razor blade (box cutter) across the throat just under the jaw will work. I use a .22 to the back of the skull that will sever the spine so the bird doesn't know what hit them. People who have used the cervical dislocation say that if you follow the instructions it does work.

Once again, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. It sux. None of us plan to kill our backyard babies when we get them unless they are birds destined to the dinner table but it's part of being an owner of small animal livestock, unfortunately and something that most of us have to deal with at one time or another during our adventures keeping chickens.

Let us know how things go. Just remember you aren't alone.

Cross breeding dogs doesn’t help their immune system

 

[microchick]

Cross breeding dogs doesn’t help their immune system

I think mentally I was referring more to chickens and the degree of specialized hybrid breeds that are susceptible to Marek's which is a viral infection. It didn't translate right in writing, my bad.

But actually, inbreeding of dogs to develop specialized breeds does affect their immune systems. To quote an article....

https://www.instituteofcaninebiolog...and-the-immune-system-unintended-consequences
"One of the consequences of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity in purebred dogs is decreased diversity in the genes of the immune system. This has lead to weaker immune systems and higher rates of autoimmune disorders. "

In humans most autoimmune disorders leave the sufferer more susceptible to bacterial infections. It's the same with dogs.

1. https://www.ovrs.com › blog › mutts-vs-purebreds
   

   Mutts Vs. Purebreds: What Pet Owners Need to Know​

   That being said, mutts are generally recognized as "sturdier" than purebreds. The mixed genetics of mutts often increases the effectiveness of their immune systems, making them better able to overcome a variety of infectious diseases. Mutts Vs. Purebreds: Beyond Health

Breeders are always trying to come up with new birds that will lay more eggs in the first three years of their lives...battery birds for instance....and they are also doing a good job of developing heavy bodied birds that lay pretty eggs. Most of these breeds are far more susceptible to Marek's disease than the chickens that are closer to 'wild types' of poultry breeds, for example Fayoumis, Jungle fowl, etc. .

My most resistant birds have been crossbreds. Most purebred dogs that we've been owned by have had far more health problems than the mutts in our lives. Just a personal observation that cross bred dogs seem to have stronger immune systems than pure breds...or maybe we have just been unlucky as far as purebred dogs are concerned.

Sorry if my thoughts didn't translate to paper correctly