Mareks

[Opal8]

If my flock has Mareks, can I ever hatch chicks again?

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you ever gotten testing or a necropsy to confirm that your flock has Mareks? Since there are numerous diseases that can look like Mareks, it would be good to do that. Mareks makes carriers of your whole flock and is spread through their dander and the dust. It can remain in the environment for months to years, even if all chickens are long gone. It can be helpful to vaccinate day old chicks, and raise them in a brooder far away from any exposure for at least 2 weeks. That would include the spread that could possibly happen from your clothes, shoes, hands, or hair after you have been out to your hen house. They would still be positive for the disease once they enter the flock, but would be less likely to get the paralysis or tumors from the disease. Sorry that you are dealing with this. Here is a good article with good information to read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Opal8]

Have you ever gotten testing or a necropsy to confirm that your flock has Mareks? Since there are numerous diseases that can look like Mareks, it would be good to do that. Mareks makes carriers of your whole flock and is spread through their dander and the dust. It can remain in the environment for months to years, even if all chickens are long gone. It can be helpful to vaccinate day old chicks, and raise them in a brooder far away from any exposure for at least 2 weeks. That would include the spread that could possibly happen from your clothes, shoes, hands, or hair after you have been out to your hen house. They would still be positive for the disease once they enter the flock, but would be less likely to get the paralysis or tumors from the disease. Sorry that you are dealing with this. Here is a good article with good information to read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Thank you, and yes, sadly it is confirmed in my flock!