Mareks Disease

[broodyhen2]

Hello I have 4 weeks growers succumbed to the symptoms of MD but they are going for testing soon. They are indoors and my question is will my other indoor pens and outdoor pens all have MD? I have a mix of young birds and adults both in and out
If the MD is confirmed I feel the best option is to breed for resistance but I am not exactly sure how to go about this as I am a relative newbie. The growers were Barred wyandotte bantams and I have 2 strains of adults so these are the birds I would like to breed resistance with.
I have a few other bits and bobs of lf growers and bantam pairs but I don't know what to do with them as I want to sell them but they might have MD although none have shown symptoms, what should I do?
If I am successful with breeding resistance with my barred Wyandotte bantams will the birds of this line still shed MD?
Does this mean I can never buy/sell a bird again?
It's very worrying for me
All advice greatly appreciated thanks

 

[ChicKat]

Hello I have 4 weeks growers succumbed to the symptoms of MD but they are going for testing soon. They are indoors and my question is will my other indoor pens and outdoor pens all have MD? I have a mix of young birds and adults both in and out
If the MD is confirmed I feel the best option is to breed for resistance but I am not exactly sure how to go about this as I am a relative newbie. The growers were Barred wyandotte bantams and I have 2 strains of adults so these are the birds I would like to breed resistance with.
I have a few other bits and bobs of lf growers and bantam pairs but I don't know what to do with them as I want to sell them but they might have MD although none have shown symptoms, what should I do?
If I am successful with breeding resistance with my barred Wyandotte bantams will the birds of this line still shed MD?
Does this mean I can never buy/sell a bird again?
It's very worrying for me
All advice greatly appreciated thanks

What ever you decide to do with your chickens in the future - you must give full disclosure to anyone to whom you sell your chickens. Some see Marek's as an inevitable and not too serious part of keeping chickens and some see it as a terror to be avoided at all costs.

Here are some links to Marek's discussions -- and there is one with facts and studies in my signature.
Good luck with your flock.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...esistance-to-mareks-disease/710#post_15712523
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/741957/not-an-emergency-mareks-in-the-flock/3440#post_15711923

 

[Folly's place]

Some of us have avoided Marek's disease for a very long time, by being VERY careful about biosecurity, and being lucky. When you get the diagnostic tests back, you can decide how to proceed with your birds, but as ChicKat said, no sales without full disclosure about ANY diseases your birds have. Marek's disease is forever on your property and in your flock, once it's there. Mary