Managing a flock with likely Mareks?

[Sseckel]

I'd also avoid trying to have breeds that tend to have more problems with Marek's disease, like Silkies.
Mary

Ironically my silkies seem to be unaffected so far. I hope it stays that way. Maybe since they are older hens? 3 and 4 ish years old?

 

[centrarchid]

If I go this route and continue to hatch my own. There will always be the chance my flock could spread it to other flocks around me right? I have a friend not to far away that breeds less common breeds and I would feel awful if this somehow showed up in her flock. * We are great friends but we don't go I to each other's coops to protect them. So contamination wouldnt be direct but possible right?

Based on what I wrote above, biosecurity is not practical for flocks outside.

 

[Folly's place]

That's great for them!
Do consider getting birds necropsied so you absolutely have a diagnosis.
Mary

 

[Sseckel]

That's kind of what I thought and was afraid of. 2 more have died since my OP this morning. Ducks might be my best option.
I can love ducks too I'm sure.

Based on what I wrote above, biosecurity is not practical for flocks outside.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Marek's Disease is everywhere and it is anywhere. If you have chickens who are symptomatic for Marek's the best course of action is to cull the affected chicken then either burn or else bury the carcass with a goodly amount of hydrated lime poured over the body before burial. Any chicken that lives after being infected will show signs of unthriftiness and remain a source of Marek's infection for as long as that chicken lives. BTW, exposure to and infection with Marek's Disease are two different things.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If I go this route and continue to hatch my own. There will always be the chance my flock could spread it to other flocks around me right? I have a friend not to far away that breeds less common breeds and I would feel awful if this somehow showed up in her flock. * We are great friends but we don't go I to each other's coops to protect them. So contamination wouldnt be direct but possible right?

If you hatch and rear all of your own replacements, then cull even those that show health issues. My worst outbreak was in second year with flock in this location with each each getting less with last outbreak 4 years ago. Source for disease here I am pretty sure from migrating songbirds. I have already captured one songbird a few days ago with Mareks like signs.

Marek's is most commonly spread on the wind. When a chicken grows new feathers these feathers are produced inside of a sheath that is filled with circulating chicken blood to nourish the new feather. This is why new feathers are also known as Blood Feathers. When these new feathers harden off and emerge the feather sheath is shed as dandruff (along with any dried blood) and this dandruff goes a floating on the breeze spreading Marek's viruses far and wide.

You are more likely to get a dose of Marek's from a robin or a sparrow than you are from a neighbors' flock of chickens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Have you had birds tested to see why they are dying? Any time more than a bird or two die from similar symptoms it's important to have them tested. Flocks can survive with Mareks. In my experiences it doesn't kill multiple birds close together like you are describing.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’m so sorry for your problems. I can’t imagine the heartache. I pray that you have peace. And your chickens recover.

 

[casportpony]

I'd also avoid trying to have breeds that tend to have more problems with Marek's disease, like Silkies.
Mary

Sebrites too I think.

 

[Sseckel]

Have you had birds tested to see why they are dying? Any time more than a bird or two die from similar symptoms it's important to have them tested. Flocks can survive with Mareks. In my experiences it doesn't kill multiple birds close together like you are describing.

I have contacted ISU to get the submission forms for necropsy and shipping instructions. My next symptomatic hen will go in