Mareks?? Cocci?? Neurological issue??

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Well I'm curious...if the majority of my flock are roughly the same age as my bird that passed does that mean that they will all get it, too or is it just the ones that have low immunity? Should I assume that since they have all been exposed to the affected bird (although the symptoms were somewhat mild when I separated them) that they will all get it? Should I cull my entire flock even though they are all presently healthy and start over with vaccinated birds? I really just don't know what to do or think right now.

Thank you for making me feel not alone although I hate to think of anyone else going through this, too.

Culling your whole flock is not going to save the new ones unless you can disinfect all of your ground 100%, which is near impossible. It can live in the dirt. I have an exposed flock and I had one die every few months, most of them newer or younger than 8 months old. The older flock had high resistance. Yes, low immunity birds will catch it easier, and your older birds may end up with having more resistance and not die.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I think you are right on, but it only took one pullet two years ago to end up killing 7/10 of my chicks so far. Also, I think if they come in contact with it, they will be a carrier, and live and spread without having symptoms themselves.
The chicks that were laid and raised by my own flock seemed to be the least affected. The eggs that were not mine, but raised by my broodies had the most deaths. The broodies were exposed 2 years ago, and never had symptoms, but passed it to eggs/chicks that were not their own.
Again, I'm really sorry about Gracie and that you're dealing with Mareks. But know it's not the end of the world, or your flock. It's the beginning of MORE education that you never thought you'd get.

 

[Oobhakeb]

:-( sorry to hear it mking. Im holding out hope for Patricia...Started her and the rest of the flock on Corid lastnight. Read yesterday an article from the chicken doctor about Cocci and the symptoms she described were pretty similar to hers.... All mine were vacinated from the hatchery for Mareks though I have heard only about 90% gain full immunity. I am hoping that what she is aflicked with is not Mareks. Even with that being so, I would suggest vaccinating the rest of your flock. This is my first flock and that was a choice I made after hearing how horrible this disease was. I even read in another article talking about general care for your birds that it would be wise to give them a "booster" of the vaccine. Along with that and vitamins, electrolytes and probiotics, a bird can live up to 25 years and a good healthy hen can lay up to 18 years. Not sure if thats true but it makes me a lot happier about their possible outcome and me not having to kill them after a few years and eat them just because they laying days are up. My honey is talking about having another flock of meat only birds because I won't let him eat my girls. I told him thats fine as long as they all look the same and I don't handle them too much because I definitly see myself getting attached to my girls right now as it is. Def keep us posted about the rest of them.

 

[MKingsolver]

Quote:
I think you are right on, but it only took one pullet two years ago to end up killing 7/10 of my chicks so far. Also, I think if they come in contact with it, they will be a carrier, and live and spread without having symptoms themselves.
The chicks that were laid and raised by my own flock seemed to be the least affected. The eggs that were not mine, but raised by my broodies had the most deaths. The broodies were exposed 2 years ago, and never had symptoms, but passed it to eggs/chicks that were not their own.
Again, I'm really sorry about Gracie and that you're dealing with Mareks. But know it's not the end of the world, or your flock. It's the beginning of MORE education that you never thought you'd get.

Interesting to know. So I'm wondering if I buy some vaccinated chicks if it would be ok to integrate them with my flock? I don't have the luxury of having a breeding operation where I can raise my own chicks.

 

[MKingsolver]

Quote:
Thank you. I'm holding out hope for Patricia as well and I certainly hope that you don't have to go through what I've been dealing with. Fortunately for your flock they are vaccinated so hopefully you are just dealing with cocci. I know for sure now that's not what I was dealing with and if I can find a way I will upload the necropsy results from Gracie so you can all read it. It was definitely very interesting and at the same time, very sad.

I heard the same thing about a healthy hen laying for quite awhile, it's just my understanding that with each year that passes they lay 80% of what they laid the year before. Not sure if that's right or not. I don't plan on eating ours either, they'll probably wind up going to a local chicken retirement home OR hopefully if we can get a bigger piece of property we can have a "retirement coop." I wouldn't mind having a flock of meat birds, just don't want to be around when they get processed!

 

[Oobhakeb]

Yes, do post that. I'll keep ya updated. I had no idea they lasted that long!!! Our meat flock will have to be when we obtain more land as well.

 

[MKingsolver]

Hey everyone, couldn't figure out how to load it in Adobe format so I copied and pasted it...

WASHINGTON ANIMAL DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY
Avian Health and Food Safety Lab
2607 West Pioneer
Puyallup, WA 98371-4490
Telephone (253) 445-4537
Fax: (509) 335-7424
Veterinarian: Owner: Marianne Kingsolver
Clinic: Kingsolver, Marianne Animal:
Address:Species: Chicken
Breed:
Puyallup, WA Age:
Phone: Sex:
000Page 1 of 2
This report contains information that is confidential and is intended for the use of the individual or entity named on page 1. If
you have received this report in error, please notify WADDL immediately.
GROSS REPORT 08/11/11 WADDL #2011-A3571
Report authorized by: Rocio Crespo Received: 08/11/11
A live male, 11-week-old, Americana chicken (name: Gracie) was submitted for laboratory evaluation. At
the time of submission Gracie was depressed, could not stand, had noisy breathing, and was mouth
breathing.
Gracie was in good body condition and weighed 1,154 grams.
There was some feed in the crop. The gizzard contained mostly grits.
The cranial third of left lung is grayish. The right lung has similar gray areas on the lateral side of the
tissue.
The liver was mildly enlarged with round edges and had slightly pale areas throughout.
The spleen is moderately enlarged.
There is small hemorrhage in the proximal border of the femorotibialis internus muscle.
There are no significant gross changes in any other tissue, including nerves, brain, or joints
GROSS DIAGNOSES:
1. Pneumopathy, multifocal
2. Splenomegaly, moderate
COMMENTS: First I want to point out that I was surprised to find out that Gracie was a male.
The clinical signs of inability to stand along with the pathologic changes of greyish discoloration of the
lung and enlarged spleen are suggestive of Marek’s disease. However, microscopic evaluation is required
for definitive confirmation of the mentioned condition. Please let me know if you want me to add this test
(cost $18.90). If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
WORK PENDING: none
____________________________
Dr. Rocio Crespo
GROSS REPORT 08/11/11 WADDL #2011-A3571
Page 2 of 2
This report contains information that is confidential and is intended for the use of the individual or entity named on page 1. If
you have received this report in error, please notify WADDL immediately.
Phone contact:

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I think you are right on, but it only took one pullet two years ago to end up killing 7/10 of my chicks so far. Also, I think if they come in contact with it, they will be a carrier, and live and spread without having symptoms themselves.
The chicks that were laid and raised by my own flock seemed to be the least affected. The eggs that were not mine, but raised by my broodies had the most deaths. The broodies were exposed 2 years ago, and never had symptoms, but passed it to eggs/chicks that were not their own.
Again, I'm really sorry about Gracie and that you're dealing with Mareks. But know it's not the end of the world, or your flock. It's the beginning of MORE education that you never thought you'd get.

Interesting to know. So I'm wondering if I buy some vaccinated chicks if it would be ok to integrate them with my flock? I don't have the luxury of having a breeding operation where I can raise my own chicks.

That's what I'm going to do. Vaccinate chicks , quarantine for a month, they will be close but separate till they're 4 months old, and then into the flock.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
It is interesting and sad. Thankyou for posting this.

 

[MKingsolver]

You're very welcome. I hope that people can learn from what I've gone through, maybe comparing the symptoms to that of their bird if heaven forbid they are similar, and act accordingly. I feel that I did the right thing by Gracie and I know that bird is in a better place now, even though the decision to euthanize was very difficult for me. Part of me was still holding out hope. Now all I can do is focus on the rest of my flock and pray they will be ok.