Mareks😔

[vicknick]

I simply posted to offer hope to the person with dying chickens. When I had dying chickens I was THRILLED to stop the death with this remedy. If every chicken I've had since still has Mareks but.... no one else has died that awful half-paralyzed death, then I honestly couldn't care less. My chickens are all healthy and happy - if they are carriers, but no one is dying - not even new chicks I bring up from babies, who cares? I live way out in the boonies, so I'm not putting anyone else in danger. And I didn't have to kill any of my chickens, which are more like pets than livestock, so ..... what difference does it make?
I'm sorry your chicken didn't make it. Mareks weakens them SO much, I honestly think I was lucky to be able to save all the rest of mine.

They can still definitely spread the disease. Unfortunately, nothing can stop a chicken who carries Marek’s from spreading Marek’s, including the vaccine.

I did try hypericum with my hen who was dying of Marek’s, and it didn’t help lessen the symptoms. I think it was too late for her.

 

[Egg Blues]

Your flock most likely still carries Marek’s, it’s just a mild strain that your current chickens have immunity to. Hypericum can treat the symptoms of Marek’s but it cannot cure the virus itself.

"...most likely..."

They can still definitely spread the disease. Unfortunately, nothing can stop a chicken who carries Marek’s from spreading Marek’s, including the vaccine.

I did try hypericum with my hen who was dying of Marek’s, and it didn’t help lessen the symptoms. I think it was too late for her.

"...definitely..."

Your confidence increased here regarding his chickens spreading Marek's...and I wonder what support you have for reaching your conclusion. I don't require peer-reviewed journals...anecdotal evidence or anything that helped you conclude as you have would be of interest to me. I'm prepared to learn.

I simply posted to offer hope to the person with dying chickens. When I had dying chickens I was THRILLED to stop the death with this remedy. If every chicken I've had since still has Mareks but.... no one else has died that awful half-paralyzed death, then I honestly couldn't care less. My chickens are all healthy and happy - if they are carriers, but no one is dying - not even new chicks I bring up from babies, who cares? I live way out in the boonies, so I'm not putting anyone else in danger. And I didn't have to kill any of my chickens, which are more like pets than livestock, so ..... what difference does it make?
I'm sorry your chicken didn't make it. Mareks weakens them SO much, I honestly think I was lucky to be able to save all the rest of mine.

Thank you for posting your remedy. As far as I'm concerned, finding a natural cure or remedy is the best possible way--I'm still interested in whether there is actual evidence that this was not a cure, or that immunity is not involved. Also, is it actually true that the virus is still shed by these chickens? Inquiring minds want to know. I would think that your anecdotal evidence is of some value, and should be enough to spark the interest of others for further study into the issue.

 

[vicknick]

Thank you for posting your remedy. As far as I'm concerned, finding a natural cure or remedy is the best possible way--I'm still interested in whether there is actual evidence that this was not a cure, or that immunity is not involved. Also, is it actually true that the virus is still shed by these chickens? Inquiring minds want to know. I would think that your anecdotal evidence is of some value, and should be enough to spark the interest of others for further study into the issue.

No problem - I was just sooo relieved when my chickens stopped dying - I'm glad to share, lol.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I simply posted to offer hope to the person with dying chickens. When I had dying chickens I was THRILLED to stop the death with this remedy. If every chicken I've had since still has Mareks but.... no one else has died that awful half-paralyzed death, then I honestly couldn't care less. My chickens are all healthy and happy - if they are carriers, but no one is dying - not even new chicks I bring up from babies, who cares? I live way out in the boonies, so I'm not putting anyone else in danger. And I didn't have to kill any of my chickens, which are more like pets than livestock, so ..... what difference does it make?
I'm sorry your chicken didn't make it. Mareks weakens them SO much, I honestly think I was lucky to be able to save all the rest of mine.

I’m not trying to say that your chickens are doomed or anything, it’s just good to be aware that they probably still carry the virus. A lot of people unknowingly spread Marek’s by giving away carriers to friends and family.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

"...most likely..."


"...definitely..."

Your confidence increased here regarding his chickens spreading Marek's...and I wonder what support you have for reaching your conclusion. I don't require peer-reviewed journals...anecdotal evidence or anything that helped you conclude as you have would be of interest to me. I'm prepared to learn.


Thank you for posting your remedy. As far as I'm concerned, finding a natural cure or remedy is the best possible way--I'm still interested in whether there is actual evidence that this was not a cure, or that immunity is not involved. Also, is it actually true that the virus is still shed by these chickens? Inquiring minds want to know. I would think that your anecdotal evidence is of some value, and should be enough to spark the interest of others for further study into the issue.

I’m saying that if their flock has Marek’s (it sounds like it was diagnosed, but I was uncertain because of the lack of deaths for so long) than they definitely can spread the disease. My point is that birds who don’t show symptoms of Marek’s but are still carriers can spread the disease.

 

[vicknick]

I’m not trying to say that your chickens are doomed or anything, it’s just good to be aware that they probably still carry the virus. A lot of people unknowingly spread Marek’s by giving away carriers to friends and family.

OhThat makes sense! My chickens are pets for life though, lol I *almost* gave away 2 roosters once, but just couldn't do it. LOL!

 

[vicknick]

I’m saying that if their flock has Marek’s (it sounds like it was diagnosed, but I was uncertain because of the lack of deaths for so long) than they definitely can spread the disease. My point is that birds who don’t show symptoms of Marek’s but are still carriers can spread the disease.

Yep, diagnosed in flock after necropsy on 2 dead pullets.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

OhThat makes sense! My chickens are pets for life though, lol I *almost* gave away 2 roosters once, but just couldn't do it. LOL!

Same here. Unfortunately, I did give away some of my chickens before I knew I had Marek’s in my flock, and I deeply regret unknowingly spreading it to another flock.

 

[Tsmith1414]

We are. You are not alone. We have lost 3 in the past month. Just now am I putting it all together that it’s Mareks. We can be support buddies. I’ve been racking my brain for weeks know wondering what I am doing wrong, why me, maybe I’m not cut out for this etc. I’ve come back to the same things every time. I’m doing all I can. I’m treating when symptoms show up, I’m loving spending time with them when they are healthy and am culling when their life is no longer quality. It hurts. It sucks. It’s taken me to a dark place late at night. But know from microchicks article that it’s not a ferry sentence for my hobby or our farm. It’s an obstacle now some days are better than others. Cherish the healthy days. Remember those when times are tough. We will overcome and love them in the meantime. Here for you all going through this and in my shoes.

 

[Tankueray]

"...most likely..."


"...definitely..."

Your confidence increased here regarding his chickens spreading Marek's...and I wonder what support you have for reaching your conclusion. I don't require peer-reviewed journals...anecdotal evidence or anything that helped you conclude as you have would be of interest to me. I'm prepared to learn.


Thank you for posting your remedy. As far as I'm concerned, finding a natural cure or remedy is the best possible way--I'm still interested in whether there is actual evidence that this was not a cure, or that immunity is not involved. Also, is it actually true that the virus is still shed by these chickens? Inquiring minds want to know. I would think that your anecdotal evidence is of some value, and should be enough to spark the interest of others for further study into the issue.

@RoostersAreAwesome was correct in everything they said. There is no cure for Marek's, the hypericum treatment only has anecdotal evidence of effectiveness, no proof. Any bird carrying Marek's will spread it, it sheds through the feather follicles and dander, so it gets picked up by the wind and can settle on your tires, clothes, shoes, and hair and you can then spread it at places like the feed store where you might not even come into contact with a chicken, but someone else that has chickens can come into contact with any of that dander that you've left on the floor or transferred to them by mere proximity. It's hard to kill outside of a host, it can withstand extreme temperatures and dry air and live in the soil for potentially up to a year (lots of debate on the actual timeframe, but the consensus is that it is highly persistent). It has become ubiquitous, any State lab or knowledgeable vet will agree. It's not a matter of if, but when.

The Marek's discussion starts around 29:45,

(This show is taken down regularly because most of his content is for paid subscribers, if the link doesn't work, he's taken it down.) If he ever posts the Marek's episode with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo again, it's a definite must watch.