Marek's desease

[Nichole1984]

Hi everyone. I am posting this for a friend. She has just had to cull a rooster that possibly may have had mareks desease. The rooster was in with 5 hens, she is wondering if she needs to cull the other 5 hens as well? She lives very secluded, and the vet she went to was not an avian vet and couldn't answer her questions. So thought I'd post it in here for her.... any opinions out there??

 

[Kiki]

No she doesn't need to kill them if they are doing fine. She may want to though if they start looking like they are suffering.

 

[Nichole1984]

No she doesn't need to kill them if they are doing fine. She may want to though if they start looking like they are suffering.

She did tell me, the hens seem completely healthy, no signs of anything.

 

[Nichole1984]

Hi everyone. I am posting this for a friend. She has just had to cull a rooster that possibly may have had mareks desease. The rooster was in with 5 hens, she is wondering if she needs to cull the other 5 hens as well? She lives very secluded, and the vet she went to was not an avian vet and couldn't answer her questions. So thought I'd post it in here for her.... any opinions out there??

Just to add to this. Would she be able to add other hens with the 5 she has if they are showing no symptoms?

 

[Kiki]

Just to add to this. Would she be able to add other hens with the 5 she has if they are showing no symptoms?

She can add how ever many she wants but shouldn't sell or give away any.

The ones she adds may or may not get sick.
It would probably be best to only add day old vaccinated chicks from a major hatchery.

 

[Nichole1984]

She can add how ever many she wants but shouldn't sell or give away any.

The ones she adds may or may not get sick.
It would probably be best to only add day old vaccinated chicks from a major hatchery.

Thank you for your reply. You've been very helpful. I will be calling her in the morning and letting her know all the info I get from this post.

 

[Eggcessive]

It would help to get Mareks confirmed by the state vet lab. Does she still have the body? Here is a list of state vets who might do testing and a necropsy on the rooster or her other hens:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html
If Mareks is suspected, closing the flock to any birds every leaving the flock should be done.