Marek's and enteric coccidiosis

[whispurr]

I had a dead chicken necropsied and found out we have Marek's. We have one 10-month old, two 5-month old, and three 2-month olds that haven't been integrated yet. What do we do now? They don't show any symptoms before dying so I can't cull that way. Do I kill them? Vaccinate them? Or just disinfect the environment? This is devastating. Can I get new chicks if they're vaccinated? Help!

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss, but good to see that you got a necropsy to find the cause of death. A disease like Mareks can cause poor immunity to common illnesses, such as coccidiosis. It can spread through dust and feather dander, and may linger in a coop for months to years after all birds are gone. Some of your chickens may eventually succumb to Mareks, but some may have some resistance. Many people have dealt with Mareks in their flocks, and there is no reason to cull your birds. I would try to prevent coccidiosis by making the bedding dry and adding new bedding often. Treat for any outbreaks with Corid, sulfa, or toltrazuril, if symptoms are seen. You could clean your coop area with Virkon S a good disinfectant for cleaning coop facilities to limit diseases.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some good articles about Mareks to read:
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/vdl-mareks-disease-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[U_Stormcrow]

^ @Eggcessive with the helpful, supportive, realistic post for non-Breeder backyard owners who have recieved a devastating diagnosis.

 

[Eggcessive]

The links are working for me right now. I can understand waiting to see how they do. I cannot cull chickens that are active, eating and drinking who could have a chance. Good luck.

 

[whispurr]

Here are some good articles about Mareks to read:
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/vdl-mareks-disease-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

I can't get the pdf to open but have read the FAQ. Thanks!

 

[TillyPeeps]

If you went the destroy/decontaminate path, how long would you wait? My chickens free-range so I'd have no way of treating the whole area. I could easily do the coop, not sure about their run.

Marek's virus can survive in environments for up to 2 years. Marek's doesn't translate through eggs, so either someone bring the virus to TSC chick bin or your breeder had it in his flock. I got my Marek's by buying pullets from a breeder too. If your future chicks are appropriately vaccinated by a hatchery, they should have about 95% chance to NOT becoming sick from Marek's but they will be carriers.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm NPIP, and as a breeder I've already agreed that, in the case of Mareks*, I will destroy my flock, decontaminate, wait, and then consider starting over. I understand that's pretty extreme in the view of some, but better that then to spread the disease further.

Where did Mareks enter your flock? If you purchased from a local breeder, they may need looking into. Coccidia are everywhere, and opportunistic - likely became uncontrollable when your chickens were already suffering from Mareks, and their immune system became weakened.

There are some people who maintain closed, Marek's positive, flocks very successfully. All their birds need to be vaccinated, and the vaccine doesn't prevent Mareks, it merely prevents the worst outcomes of Mareks - you frequently end up with a flock of carriers. That's not something I am personally willing to do.

Good luck, whatever you decide - and seriously consider looking into the source of your birds as a potential Mareks vector.

* and a small number of other diseases. A I of course, also Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae, and Pullorum-Typhoid (which hasn't been seen in commercial flocks in decades).

 

[whispurr]

I got my first batch at tractor supply. My guess is they came from there because those died off. My next batch was just a local breeder. They all died. Next batch was mail order. I have 2 of those left. Now I have the the littles that came from someone who had too many chicks. I don't know if I can kill them. My husband wants to just keep them while we can. Neither of us are killers. We have 6 hens which is really enough for 2 people. If we decide to just keep them, would there be any advantage to disinfect everything? And if we kill them how long would you wait before getting more? Thanks. This is kind of devastating.

 

[whispurr]

Here are some good articles about Mareks to read:
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/vdl-mareks-disease-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

I'm NPIP, and as a breeder I've already agreed that, in the case of Mareks*, I will destroy my flock, decontaminate, wait, and then consider starting over. I understand that's pretty extreme in the view of some, but better that then to spread the disease further.

Where did Mareks enter your flock? If you purchased from a local breeder, they may need looking into. Coccidia are everywhere, and opportunistic - likely became uncontrollable when your chickens were already suffering from Mareks, and their immune system became weakened.

There are some people who maintain closed, Marek's positive, flocks very successfully. All their birds need to be vaccinated, and the vaccine doesn't prevent Mareks, it merely prevents the worst outcomes of Mareks - you frequently end up with a flock of carriers. That's not something I am personally willing to do.

Good luck, whatever you decide - and seriously consider looking into the source of your birds as a potential Mareks vector.

* and a small number of other diseases. A I of course, also Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae, and Pullorum-Typhoid (which hasn't been seen in commercial flocks in decades).

If you went the destroy/decontaminate path, how long would you wait? My chickens free-range so I'd have no way of treating the whole area. I could easily do the coop, not sure about their run.