I have been raising a small flock of chickens for three years and have purchased all of my chickens at 6-8 weeks of age from the same breeder who does not vaccinate for Marek's. Due to the size of my coop I keep my flock at about seven chickens but over the past three years I have had to add new chickens as some have died. To date I have purchased 11 pullets and have lost 5. I had necropsies done on two of them (one from the original group and one from one of the pullets I purchased this past spring) and because of the tumors present the vet felt it was Marek's. One other pullet (also from my recent purchase this past spring) that died in the fall had signs of Marek's but I did not have a necropsy done. I am very confident my existing flock is carrying the virus, so am wondering what I should do when I want to add new chickens to my flock.
As much as I like the breeder, I'm hesitant to get any more birds from her without knowing where the Marek's came from. I live in a wooded rural area with lots of wild birds (turkeys, pheasants, songbirds, etc.) and understand that the virus is widespread so it is possible my chickens picked up the virus on my property. I am wondering then, would be best for me to continue to purchase pullets or chicks from the breeder or if, since I obviously have Marek's in my flock, would it be better to purchase vaccinated chicks from a reputable hatchery? I understand that the vaccine does not prevent the virus, it only prevents the symptoms from appearing. It breaks my heart every time one of my chickens dies and knowing that if they had been vaccinated they would not have suffered the symptoms of Marek's. I truly appreciate any thoughts on what to do when I want to add more chicks to my flock, which is constantly... I must say! Thank you so much!
As much as I like the breeder, I'm hesitant to get any more birds from her without knowing where the Marek's came from. I live in a wooded rural area with lots of wild birds (turkeys, pheasants, songbirds, etc.) and understand that the virus is widespread so it is possible my chickens picked up the virus on my property. I am wondering then, would be best for me to continue to purchase pullets or chicks from the breeder or if, since I obviously have Marek's in my flock, would it be better to purchase vaccinated chicks from a reputable hatchery? I understand that the vaccine does not prevent the virus, it only prevents the symptoms from appearing. It breaks my heart every time one of my chickens dies and knowing that if they had been vaccinated they would not have suffered the symptoms of Marek's. I truly appreciate any thoughts on what to do when I want to add more chicks to my flock, which is constantly... I must say! Thank you so much!
Hmm yeah, I’m not sure either, but it does sound like at least some lines of leghorns have been bred with resistance in mind. I wouldn’t take that all leghorns are though.
