Marek's Symptom in Sebright Hens?

[BuckNBark Farm]

Better news! I actually didn't even get back with the Sebrights until 3 today. Brought my chicks out at 5- I didn't have them out there, because the trip to get the Sebrights was long, and I don't want them unsupervised they just started going out in a pen yesterday . Anyway, I brought them into the house for the night around 8:30. So they were only with them 3.5 hrs- not "all day". I will take the chicks back, and try to do something with the pen to get their droppings out. I feel better Pam

 

[leadwolf1]

Hi Pam,

Why don't you contact a vet and see if they will do a nasal smear on one of the birds? That might tell you if they are carrying any kind of respiratory illness. Again, it isn't genetic. Unless it is one of the ones that passes from bird to bird through their eggs. Maybe that is what he is referring to as 'genetic'.

I, too, originally got my chickens to help with depression. No clinical as your is but, a family matter that left me deeply saddened. The chickens were my life line. Then, Marek's struck. It was so hard to keep going. But, the chickens needed me. So, I kept on going. I still have days when I want to give up..but, I can't. Who would take care of them for me?

I wouldn't trust anyone that advertising on Craig's List. Most breeders wouldn't dream of using that medium to get word out about their birds. NPIP does not test for all the diseases that can be transmitted chicken to chicken. Being NPIP certified isn't a fail safe. I know several very reputible chicken people who are not certified. So, be careful of the NPIP certification. It doesn't mean as much as what people think that it does.

I'm glad that you are feeling better. If I were you, I'd clean and disinfect the coop, waterers and feeders well with a bleach solution. Even putting the solution in a spray bottle to get in all the tight places. Let everything dry really well before allowing the chickens back inside.

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Thank you leadwolf

 

[cindersga]

I've already exposed them I set up a quarantine area for them like I've read. When I got the Seabrights- they had NEVER been handled. My quarantine hutch idea wasn't working; because they can fly (I wanted to make sure they could so that I could show them). I almost lost one flying out. SO....I set up a small area in the pen (which has only been finished and used one day). They saw my cat across the yard, and they freaked out- flew through somehow into my flock. I let them stay. I KNEW better. I've been obsessing over having the chickens for a year (had some couple of years ago, but they stayed at my sister in law's, and it turned out not to be a safe place for them), and started building my little flock 4 months ago. Breeding and showing. I had big plans. I can't believe I let this happen. I know I sound pathetic, but it goes deep. I have bi-polar depression, and have been mostly in my bed for years. Getting up only to do the family and pet care. I was enthused about this! They gave me a reason to get out of bed- even went to see a show. I've ruined it. They've already been with them for a day. I'll take them back tomorrow; but mine are already exposed. I will never know. I can't breed them because of the chance that they have it. This is horrible. I'm so sorry that I'm whining. Thanks for listening (I'm even crying while I type this, it really was a dream, be it a silly one to some people, other than us, but mine. )

Pam

This is so sad Pam. I'm hoping that they don't have Merek's and that they haven't infected your chickens with anything.! Keep your chin up and remember Jesus Loves YOU!

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Ok- I moved them into a paneled fence on the other side of the yard. I will still bleach the large run. So, only exposed to them 4 hrs, and now far, far away from them. Thanks for the help and kind words everyone! Sorry about the drama.

-Pam

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

I mean, I moved my little flock into the paneled fence. The Sebrights are still where they were, which will get bleached. _Pam

 

[soler]

But who do you think has marek's? are you worried the sebrights are infected? How old are they? General knowledge is that they are prone to get it if exposed, but they don't necessarily carry it.

If your birds are not vaccinated, i would buy the vaccine now and vaccinate all of them. In the worst case scenario, they have been exponed and the vaccine will not work; in the best case scenario it will protect them. They sell it here:
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/md-vac-cfl-1000-ds/camid/LIV/cp/F7-J7/id/25A1F37SC2RS/
you'll need some syringes, get some small needles, 25 gauge is perfect. Do not wipe the needle with alcohol or it kills the vaccine. It's easier than it sounds, you just need a second person - one hold the bird, the other injects.

i think you'll be ok!

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Started out worried about Mareks, but turned out to be worried about respiratory disease. Turns out, it's gonna be ok. When I talked to the guy and told him I was bringing them back, he said that he does vaccinate against Marek's. Pam

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Ok- Chasing the wild Sebrights today, to take them back, one little hen slipped passed me and I thought went under the small building that we are going to use as the main coop. I have some Igloo doghouses scattered around the run, so they can go in for shade, etc (they have shavings in them- very cozy- and they won't go int them.) Any way, I moved the house and leaned all my weight on it to see under it. I heard her, peeping lightly. So...I left the others that were in the carrier in the run to see if she would come back before I had to leave. She didn't. So , I left to take them back, got lost again, didn't have my phone, couldn't find his house, and ended up bringing them back. I put them into a re-improvised rabbit hutch to keep them away from the other. Then went to spray the coop with bleach. I moved the doghouse, and found her crushed underneath it I did that. Ugh. I'm trying to think that maybe I was meant to have them, and killed the carrier (if there is a respiratory disease) I'm going to take the advice and get vet test. Pam