Hi,
I purchased Oxine and the Mareks vaccine from Dr Peter Brown at First State Vet Supply. He is an invaluable resource if you have questions.
Also, I just got the pathology report back from the Wisconsin State Diagnostic Lab. It's confirmed that both of my Marans had Mareks Disease. Especially the one with the lameness had an extreme case and multiple lesions. I talked to Dr Scott Jones at the Lab and he said that the more virulent form attacks the internal organs. He described the disease as a contagious herpes viral infection that affects the brain and sciatic nerves. However, it's sporadic in that not all Chickens will be affected and it usually is not an issue after 20 weeks of age. He also said that when you hear it is spread airborne, it only goes a few feet and not for miles. It can be found in the coop and even in the rafters, especially if a fan is used in the coop. He agreed that cleaning the premises AND MISTING THE BIRDS is important in controlling the spread of the virus. Yes, to keeping all feathers and stool cleaned up. If there are new unvaccinated birds, vaccinate and keep isolated from the other Chickens. He thought wearing an "apron" around the possibly affected birds and then removing when leaving that area is another form of infection control. In large Poultry operations each flock is separated and the workers have to put on different overalls. It can stay in the area for a long time. If you exhibit and your birds are vaccinated you should be fine, especially in that you are usually not taking very young birds to shows. The birds I lost were probably exposed as Chicks, although one of them was a hatchery Chick and I paid to have her vaccinated for Mareks? I also talked to Dr Peter Brown the "Chicken Doctor" and he said that the Mareks vaccine is only stable for about 1 hour after reconstituting. It could be that whoever is vaccinating is not following protocol.
I'll be taking all bedding out again this weekend and cleaning with oxine and the birds themselves!
I purchased Oxine and the Mareks vaccine from Dr Peter Brown at First State Vet Supply. He is an invaluable resource if you have questions.
Also, I just got the pathology report back from the Wisconsin State Diagnostic Lab. It's confirmed that both of my Marans had Mareks Disease. Especially the one with the lameness had an extreme case and multiple lesions. I talked to Dr Scott Jones at the Lab and he said that the more virulent form attacks the internal organs. He described the disease as a contagious herpes viral infection that affects the brain and sciatic nerves. However, it's sporadic in that not all Chickens will be affected and it usually is not an issue after 20 weeks of age. He also said that when you hear it is spread airborne, it only goes a few feet and not for miles. It can be found in the coop and even in the rafters, especially if a fan is used in the coop. He agreed that cleaning the premises AND MISTING THE BIRDS is important in controlling the spread of the virus. Yes, to keeping all feathers and stool cleaned up. If there are new unvaccinated birds, vaccinate and keep isolated from the other Chickens. He thought wearing an "apron" around the possibly affected birds and then removing when leaving that area is another form of infection control. In large Poultry operations each flock is separated and the workers have to put on different overalls. It can stay in the area for a long time. If you exhibit and your birds are vaccinated you should be fine, especially in that you are usually not taking very young birds to shows. The birds I lost were probably exposed as Chicks, although one of them was a hatchery Chick and I paid to have her vaccinated for Mareks? I also talked to Dr Peter Brown the "Chicken Doctor" and he said that the Mareks vaccine is only stable for about 1 hour after reconstituting. It could be that whoever is vaccinating is not following protocol.
I'll be taking all bedding out again this weekend and cleaning with oxine and the birds themselves!
