Marek's disease

[RAST]

I never heard of it, until I did a search on my roosters symptoms, now it scares me. He was bout 6 months old and I had bought him bout a month or so ago to go with my 2 hens. I put him in a cage the first night in a barn he was down in the legs and wings down where there are some 5 wk chicks in a brooder. Now I know better. I put him down cause he was all but gone, couldn't do any thing but flop around. Now my wife and I are concerned about our 5 month old hen and these 5 wk chicks. The other hen is a little over a year old. Too old for vaccine's from what I read, correct?
I have a dozen more eggs in the incubator right now, but $50 for vaccine that won't keep?

 

[realsis]

you can get the vaccine for the chicks and as long as its not mixed it will keep in the refrigerator. I got my vaccine for 19 dollars plus 15 for the ice chest it was shipped in... your birds are now exposed and are considered carriers although they may or may not have symptoms themselves. they may never get ill at all but CAN still spread the disease. as for the chicks when they hatch they should be vaccinated immediately and given a 3 week period for immunity to develop BEFORE exposure. Marek's is a highly prolific airborne disease that is highly contagious and can live on the land for some time. the statics say over 60% of unvaccinated birds will develop Marek's and over 5% of vaccinated birds will STILL develop Marek's. many here on this forum are very informed about this disease and can help you move forward from here. some are dealing with it now. they can help with life after Marek's and are very knowledgeable. the other birds that were exposed may not even become ill them selves but can spread the virus. so I would consider giving the vaccine to the chicks when and soon as they hatch and keeping in an area away from the disease until they have had time for immunity to develop. even then the vaccine does not ensure 100% protection but the odds are defiantly better WITH the vaccine than without. I hope this helps some. I'm sure some much more knowledgeable people can help you from here. this is the extent of my knowledge but they can help you from here. best of luck

 

[RAST]

Thank you for the reply.
Where do you get your vaccine?

 

[realsis]

I got my vaccine from First State Vet supply online. I hope this helps. good luck to you!