Marek's and resistance?

[ESofVA]

I brought Marek's home when I took several chickens/chicks to a farm swap. A lady walked through with her chicken to ask a man if he thought it had Marek's. I had one buff Wyandotte hen left over and brought it back home...put it back with the rest. I will regret that for the rest of my chicken keeping years.
My hen started showing symptoms 2 weeks later but it didn't get really bad and she recovered. However a few weeks later, Marek's stormed through my small flock.
I have found in this past year that some of my breeds of chickens, all from hatcheries, are more resistant than others.
I want to list the ones I have and what I have found and hope others will do the same.

Less Resistance More Resistance

Dark Cornish...worst Silkie
Appenzeller Spitzhauben..as bad as Cornish Salmon Faverolles
Sebright
d'Uccle
White-faced Black Spanish bantams Australorp
Red sex-linked
Comet
Cherry egger
Delaware
__________________________________​

I have read somewhere that it is dependent on strains in some chickens, but I don't think hatchery chickens would be considered a strain.

 

[realsis]

I just wanted to say how sorry I am that this happened to you. that lady should have been stopped at the gates and not allowed to enter and contaminate all those birds! that's horrible! I wish you the best of luck with your Resistance breeding! keep us posted on what your findings have been. I just wanted to say I'm sorry this happened to you but its good that you are moving forward in a positive direction! best wishes

 

[clanross]

I brought Marek's home when I took several chickens/chicks to a farm swap. A lady walked through with her chicken to ask a man if he thought it had Marek's. I had one buff Wyandotte hen left over and brought it back home...put it back with the rest. I will regret that for the rest of my chicken keeping years.
My hen started showing symptoms 2 weeks later but it didn't get really bad and she recovered. However a few weeks later, Marek's stormed through my small flock.
I have found in this past year that some of my breeds of chickens, all from hatcheries, are more resistant than others.
I want to list the ones I have and what I have found and hope others will do the same.

Less Resistance More Resistance

Dark Cornish...worst Silkie
Appenzeller Spitzhauben..as bad as Cornish Salmon Faverolles
Sebright
d'Uccle
White-faced Black Spanish bantams Australorp
Red sex-linked
Comet
Cherry egger
Delaware
__________________________________​

I have read somewhere that it is dependent on strains in some chickens, but I don't think hatchery chickens would be considered a strain.

I am just starting on this breeding for resistance path (Marek's) and could use some encouragement. Most of the chicken facebook pages I am a part of are strongly against those not vaccinating and trying to breed for resistance and will totally shut you down if you mention that you look favorably on breeding for resistance. I have read the "Jeffrey" book "Chicken Diseases" and am persuaded that it is worth trying. I currently have Legbars and Bielefelders. I lost my best roo last year to suspected Marek's (necropsy). He came to me from an unscrupulous breeder. Since then I have a hen who has just started to show symptoms. Naturally, she is my favorite. I am interested in obtaining hatching eggs from resistant Bielefelder or Legbar stock (possibly other breeds depending on how this goes... argh...) and hearing how it's going for others. Tyia! PS: I am not quite sure that I understand your list of breeds above. Are they ALL especially susceptible or are some in the list notably more resistant? Thnx!

 

[Kiki]

I am just starting on this breeding for resistance path (Marek's) and could use some encouragement. Most of the chicken facebook pages I am a part of are strongly against those not vaccinating and trying to breed for resistance and will totally shut you down if you mention that you look favorably on breeding for resistance. I have read the "Jeffrey" book "Chicken Diseases" and am persuaded that it is worth trying. I currently have Legbars and Bielefelders. I lost my best roo last year to suspected Marek's (necropsy). He came to me from an unscrupulous breeder. Since then I have a hen who has just started to show symptoms. Naturally, she is my favorite. I am interested in obtaining hatching eggs from resistant Bielefelder or Legbar stock (possibly other breeds depending on how this goes... argh...) and hearing how it's going for others. Tyia! PS: I am not quite sure that I understand your list of breeds above. Are they ALL especially susceptible or are some in the list notably more resistant? Thnx!

Welcome to BYC.
Just wanted to let you know...
That member hasn't been online for over a year so they may not respond to you.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I am just starting on this breeding for resistance path (Marek's) and could use some encouragement. Most of the chicken facebook pages I am a part of are strongly against those not vaccinating and trying to breed for resistance and will totally shut you down if you mention that you look favorably on breeding for resistance. I have read the "Jeffrey" book "Chicken Diseases" and am persuaded that it is worth trying. I currently have Legbars and Bielefelders. I lost my best roo last year to suspected Marek's (necropsy). He came to me from an unscrupulous breeder. Since then I have a hen who has just started to show symptoms. Naturally, she is my favorite. I am interested in obtaining hatching eggs from resistant Bielefelder or Legbar stock (possibly other breeds depending on how this goes... argh...) and hearing how it's going for others. Tyia! PS: I am not quite sure that I understand your list of breeds above. Are they ALL especially susceptible or are some in the list notably more resistant? Thnx!

You may want to look at this thread (it’s still active): https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...tance-to-mareks-disease.894589/#post-13614325.