Mareks? What to do

[mochicken]

Yeah I emailed her and told her, she said that she has lost 3 birds in the last month and they had similar symptoms

 

[eggdd]

the only way to know for sure is to have a bird inspected by the state. this is highly recommended.

also, people, you really have to stop buying live birds from strange people. seriously. no live birds. period.

edited due to response that was posted as i was writing my original posting.

also, vitamins are highly recommended.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
eggdd I had originally promised myself that I would only buy eggs or hatch my own. I broke that promise and bought one silkie pullet. That's all it took.

I know how you feel about suggesting that we stop buying live birds from people. It's true. However, it's time to start vaccinating all day olds and quarantine them -those you have. At least they won't die. Time for people to take defensive action and protect their chicks with vaccine.

 

[ICallMyselfCherie']

Hey there, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I'm going to link you to something I posted a couple weeks ago. Hope it can help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=8005496

 

[leadwolf1]

Quote:
eggdd I had originally promised myself that I would only buy eggs or hatch my own. I broke that promise and bought one silkie pullet. That's all it took.

I know how you feel about suggesting that we stop buying live birds from people. It's true. However, it's time to start vaccinating all day olds and quarantine them -those you have. At least they won't die. Time for people to take defensive action and protect their chicks with vaccine.

I wish it were that simple...I'm losing an equal number of vaccinated birds, too. It is the way to go, that I won't dispute that. It's the only way to stop this devastating illness. If all chicks were vaccinated, we could put a virtual end to this illness. I only wish I could turn back time, I would never have brought in anything that wasn't vaccinated and from a hatchery. What a terrible way to learn how horrible this illness can be. My heart goes out to anyone else dealing with Marek's, it's heartbreaking.

 

[seminolewind]

I know, Leadwolf. There are so many factors even with vaccination, such as chicks not being quarantined long enough (for them not for your care), the vaccine kept at the right temp and given correctly, etc.

Hatching your own chicks and vaccinating them, and buying day old chicks from a hatchery is probably the best one can do. It's a sad thing.

 

[saladin]

There are actually several different strains of Mareks out there: some much worse than others.

Each year I will have one or two growing pullets that will all of the sudden develop paralysis in one leg/foot. I simply cull them.

I keep Turkeys to help with the prevention of Mareks. It works extremely well for me. Plus, I can eat the Turkeys, but you can't eat vaccine!

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I know, Saladin. I know the vaccine only covers what it can. Hopefully with the growing amount of BYC owners, the pharm companies will see the need for smaller amounts of vaccine to sell. But I try to think of it this way. Just because a vial treats 1000 chicks, it could very well be that price for 10 chicks.

Saladin, I've had the same experience as you-one or two pullets die each year , just wasting away.

Sad thing.

 

[saladin]

Quote:
I know, Saladin. I know the vaccine only covers what it can. Hopefully with the growing amount of BYC owners, the pharm companies will see the need for smaller amounts of vaccine to sell. But I try to think of it this way. Just because a vial treats 1000 chicks, it could very well be that price for 10 chicks.

Saladin, I've had the same experience as you-one or two pullets die each year , just wasting away.

Sad thing.

I would think they would sell less as well, but they never have. Of course, I generally hatch 500 plus chicks a year, but most don't. Turkeys are much cheaper in the long run to my way of thinking.