Mareks and a cold

[melissacoleman]

If I were a farmer, I’d euthanize the 2 hens that have Mareks (one also has a sneezy or cough cold). The sickest one is in the house (with the cold), one I spent 500$ To find out she was positive for mareks and Had to euthanize as she was about to die and was suffering. I don’t want the flock to catch. 3 of the silkies are my loved ones who passed away and I dearly want chicks from them. I don’t know what to do?

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi Melissa,

I'm so sorry for your losses. Dealing with Marek's can be stressful for you and your flock.

Any bird that has the disease sheds the virus while it's still living. Even if you put down all the sick birds it can rear its ugly head again any time. Vaccinated birds can carry it, the vaccine just masks symptoms and it can be leaky.

You would do well to scrub down the inside of your coop with soap and water, then after it dries sanitize it. I used Virkon S. You need to remove all bedding and replace with fresh. Do the nest boxes, feeders, everything.

I vacuum my coop surfaces where dust collects every couple of weeks. This also picks up dander shed by the chickens. Dry conditions in coops are perfect conditions for Marek's.
Good luck!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/