Mareks-Need Advice Please

[FarmerWife]

Hello,
I posted this morning about a chick with possible Mareks. Well, being the third chick with symptoms, it's looking very likely. I had never even heard of it until the first chick became ill last week, then right after the second chick came down with the same symptoms. I started researching, and found out about Mareks. I know I'm not the only one out there who's had this problem, how can I get it under control and stop it from spreading? I have the chick I found this morning quarantined, but I'm afraid the rest will also get sick, he was with my other chicks in the chick coop. We have them separate from the adults until they are ready to be moved into the big coop. I bought the vaccine today, it should be here by Thursday or Friday. We are going to vaccinate the entire flock, but I don't know if that will be enough. What else can I do to stop this?? I'm desperate, I don't want to lose my whole flock, please help me. We have nearly 100 chickens total including the chicks. I clean the coops regularly and keep their food and water clean, but I know this is transmitted in their dander. I need all the help I can get, what have you tried that works?? Anyone out there been successful in beating it? We've put down the first two chicks, and I hate putting down another, but will if I have to. I just don't want anymore of our chicks or adults to get sick, please give me some advice. Sorry if I sound frantic, but really, I am. The thought of losing them all is terrible. Thanks in advance.

Dianna in New Mexico

 

[Michael Apple]

I've dealt with Marek's in my flock and am sorry you are in that situation now.
With the Marek's virus, chicks should be vaccinated at 1 day old. You may have some which never show symptoms and develop immunity. At this point there is not much you can do besides keep them healthy with a good diet and supplementation to keep immune systems strong. Any chicks you decide to buy or incubate in the future will need to be vaccinated. Others may disagree by stating that you can develop resistance by merely hatching eggs from hens who do not show symptoms. A bird can develop symptoms after a year or two, and each year of a hens life, they become less fertile. If you hatch chicks from a hen which seems healthy and resistant even after 2 years, then becomes susceptible to Marek's symptoms, you are back to square one. Unless you are young and have much time on your hands, this may not be an option.

Here's some information about the Marek's virus and vaccination:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/neoplasms/mareks_disease_in_poultry.html

 

[FarmerWife]

Hello,
Thank you ! I have some chicks that hatched here in the house a little over a week ago, right about the time the first chick started showing symptoms. We have not taken them outside yet, and being that I didn't have a clue about Mareks, they are not vaccinated yet. Will they be safe once we give them the vaccine?? The entire flock is going to get the vaccine. I don't know if the chick that started showing signs this morning will survive, she's barely starting to look like she is unbalanced, this afternoon I could barely tell at all. The man at First State Vet Supply where I purchased the vaccine said sometimes they survive if you vaccinate them, but will always be carriers. I don't know what to do. Right now I'm just praying that no more chickens or chicks start having symptoms. Did you ever get rid of the Mareks in your flock? Did you have to put them all down? I so hate to put any of them down, we did with the first two chicks, it broke my heart, we love them all. Raising chickens is a hobby, we just sell the eggs to help cover the cost of feed. I try hard to keep them healthy, never did I think anything like this could happen. Vet said this is spreading nation wide. So from here on out, we will keep the vaccine on hand for any future hatches, or purchases of day old chicks. Thank you so much for the link, I guess I have homework to do. I hope and pray I can get this under control and won't lose any more of our flock. Good night to all, Blessings.

Dianna in New Mexico.