Mareks - anyone successfully nurse them back to health?

[m00res]

I recently lost a bird and the necropsy results came in today. Mareks! Grrrr... I have 4 of my 6 birds exhibiting the same symptoms as the one who died. I know you just have to ride it out, but does anyone have any special tips on how to help them be as strong as possible while trying to fight off the disease? I am currently giving them layers pellets, scrambled eggs, yogurt and olive oil soaked bread. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

May one never have Marek's disease. I am so sorry to hear this. At least you do not have a large flock.

I will be very frank. You need to cull all of them and then use Oxide to try and rid your coop of the virus.

You will be far ahead by culling. Even if these birds recover they more than likely will be carriers. Give them a decent life and cull before it gets too bad.

If you NEVER plan on replacements or expanding you flock you can try to ride it out.

If you received your birds from a hatchery, you need to find out if they have been vaccinated.

 

[katrinag]

I second the culling. Just let them go in peace. Clean and disinfect anything that they came in contact with.

 

[horsejody]

I PM'd you.

 

[pips&peeps]

You could nurse them back as some on this board have done it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Mareks is a highly contagious, virulent disease and if a bird survives, it will be a carrier their whole life and still infect others after it is gone.

It is carried in feather dander and a person owning such a bird could potentially infect others without even knowing it.

 

[horsejody]

Whether or not those birds are culled, the rest of the flock are carriers now anyway. If you keep the birds, and they recover, only get vaccinated birds in the future. Don't sell or take your carrier birds to shows. Don't wear your coop clothes or shoes around other people's poultry. Marek's is worldwide wide, and any unvaccinated bird can contract it and show clinical signs of it, even if they have never come into direct contact with an infected chicken. Often, the diease manifests itself during times of stress. The virus is common in the environment.

 

[wilds of pa]

Here's a good read on it...

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/203602.htm

Charlie

 

[m00res]

Thanks for all the insight and resources. I'm really glad that you all shared the "hard" facts as well. I'd rather know the whole picture. Looks like I have an unpleasant decision to consider. :-(