Mareks, recovery and rehabilitation

[Gizabelle]

I lost almost my entire flock (7 of 8 unvaccinated hens) when it hit me. The state lab confirmed what we already knew after the first few losses. Our one remaining hen is now treated more like a dog than a chicken and gets spoiled beyond belief. She'll be 4 this spring, and she's a treasure. Molts seem extra hard on her, and I always worry, but other than that, she seems to be doing ok.
We'll be bringing in a new crop of vaccinated chicks the year and see how it goes.
You just educate yourself as much as possible and do the best you can with the cards you're dealt.

 

[Gone]

I lost almost my entire flock (7 of 8 unvaccinated hens) when it hit me. The state lab confirmed what we already knew after the first few losses. Our one remaining hen is now treated more like a dog than a chicken and gets spoiled beyond belief. She'll be 4 this spring, and she's a treasure. Molts seem extra hard on her, and I always worry, but other than that, she seems to be doing ok.
We'll be bringing in a new crop of vaccinated chicks the year and see how it goes.
You just educate yourself as much as possible and do the best you can with the cards you're dealt.

I have one like that, a black lace Wyandotte. She is about 4 now and walks proud. If the vaccinated hen recovers, when would it be safe to put her back with the other hens? Most are vaccinated.

 

[Gone]

I have one like that, a black lace Wyandotte. She is about 4 now and walks proud. If the vaccinated hen recovers, when would it be safe to put her back with the other hens? Most are vaccinated.

Or do I have to cull her anyway?

 

[Gizabelle]

I personally wouldn't cull unless the bird is suffering and there's little to no hope of recovery. Remember, the vaccine does not prevent infection, only formation of the tumors that are the biggest concern associated with the disease. The vaccinated birds are all essentially carriers anyway, so as long as she's healthy enough to fend for her spot in the pecking order, I'd start reintroduction.

 

[coach723]

I also don't cull unless it's necessary due to the condition of the bird (suffering). If there is Marek's in the flock they have all been exposed already. It's very contagious and can be carried by shoes, clothing, equipment, etc., and will be in the environment for a long time. For the backyard keeper it's basically impossible to not spread it amongst the flock. Some birds may never show symptoms, even unvaccinated ones, it's very hard to predict.
Vaccination for this particular virus is a personal choice, I don't advocate either way, for or against. It's best to read as much as you can on the subject, put that information with your own belief system and way of doing things, and do that which you are comfortable with and what works for you.
Marek's sucks, no question.

 

[RcoM]

I understand that but my hen was vaccinated and will probably still not recover or recover and need to be culled because she will always be a carrier.

I would get rid of all the possible carrier birds amd completely disinfect and wait. I'd burn the ground where the sick birds were. I'd buy a new coop and move the position. Then only hatch from clean eggs from a non carrier for next flock. No new birds in or out.

 

[jewelg]

We had a hen collapse with leg paralysis and the vet was fairly sure it was Marek's. We opted to euthanize the hen and the subsequent necropsy confirmed Marek's. I was shocked when the vet talked about burning the ground and equipment! I specifically asked how we prevent this from happening in the future, and she said not to bring new birds into the existing flock or even into the area where this flock had been. I know now that Marek's virus last for years and years in the soil, in cracks in the wood of a coop, etc. Our vet's opinion is that unless you started with serious bio-security and kept it up, and know for sure that the finicky vaccine was administered exactly right (right temp, time, age, dosage), your chickens probably have Marek's. All our chicks were vaccinated, and we still ended up with Marek's in our flock. It makes me think of HPV and HSV in humans - so common, lots of carriers, and while these viruses doesn't seriously effect every one, they really mess with some people.

 

[coach723]

I'm so very sorry. Sadly, the Marek's vaccine does not prevent birds from getting the disease, just significantly reduces the incidence of death from it. The birds can still get it, and transmit it. They just don't develop the tumors and get sick, and die. I'm not sure that burning everything would be sufficient either. It's carried on the wind in feather dander and dust, and can travel miles. Many people don't realize how widespread it is. Many of us have, and deal with Marek's disease in our flocks. There were some very good articles on it linked in a previous post in this thread. I would recommend that you read as much as you can, and then you can make better decisions on what you want to do going forward. It does not HAVE to be the end of keeping chickens, it very much depends on your personal beliefs, expectations, and what you are willing to deal with. For many of us the first year is the worst, and then things calm down and level off. I currently have only one bird with Marek's symptoms (occular), and I currently have 40 birds. I do occasionally buy chicks and bring them in, for genetic diversity, but no birds ever leave my property. Mostly I hatch my own here, from birds that are asymptomatic, hoping to end up with birds more resistant to the virus. I know the shock you feel, most of us feel the same way when it happens, like getting a gut punch. Best wishes going forward.