Mareks

[Ksimone]

Hi- I have recently posted on here about losing chickens- short backstory is I have 6 adults from May 2024- in March I got silkies from a local farm, chicks from tractor supply) we moved them all together into a brand new custom made coop on May 30. When we woke up the next morning our 12 week old brahma was dead, and one of our polish’s was limping. That polish has since died. Two days ago one of my lavenders seemed lethargic, picked her up and brought her inside and she died within minutes. After the lavenders death we had it sent for
A necropsy. I can attach a screen shot below. Highly suspicious of
Mareks- we will doing a pcr to
Confirm. My question is am
I going to lose my entire flock? I have an austeolorp (13 wks) who’s starting to look not good. Everyone for now…seems fine. I have chicks inside that were vaccinated for Mareks but I don’t want to even put them in because quite honestly I cannot handle losing them
Too. For context- my best friend got
Silkies (thinking these are the culprits) at the same time as me ans
Has lost
Two chickens, both of which were vaccinated against Mareks. What do I do

 

[nuthatched]

Here's a guide for mereks , sorry you lost your birds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Ksimone]

Here's a guide for mereks , sorry you lost your birds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Here's a guide for mereks , sorry you lost your birds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Will I lose them all?

 

[nuthatched]

Will I lose them all?

That's up to them. I don't know.
But if it is mereks, you now have a closed flock. They need to be 100% contained since the disease spreads through dander on the wind. you don't want to get other birds sick.
The vaccine only (usually) stops the growth of the tumors that causes issues, they can still catch, spread and die from it.
You can offer supportive care.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Ksimone, I am so sorry.
The article that @nuthatched posted will help you.
I pray you will not have any other losses.

 

[Ksimone]

That's up to them. I don't know.
But if it is mereks, you now have a closed flock. They need to be 100% contained since the disease spreads through dander on the wind. you don't want to get other birds sick.
The vaccine only (usually) stops the growth of the tumors that causes issues, they can still catch, spread and die from it.
You can offer supportive care.

My issue is my 6 babies inside - who are vaccinated - but even if they move outside in a new coop- across my yard, the wind will still blow

 

[Ksimone]

Ksimone, I am so sorry.
The article that @nuthatched posted will help you.
I pray you will not have any other losses.

I read the whole thing! I am
Just feeling sad and hopeless and guilty that I added new chickens to
What was a perfectly healthy flock

 

[BoundlessLove]

Do not blame yourself!
It isn’t your fault.
You were trying to give them a good home and care for them.
It could happen to any of us who purchase chicks.
I purchased TSC chicks twice this year.
And I believe @nuthatched purchased chocolate orpington chicks, as well.
We all do and take the risk.
Please know it is NOT your fault.

 

[Ksimone]

Do not blame yourself!
It isn’t your fault.
You were trying to give them a good home and care for them.
It could happen to any of us who purchase chicks.
I purchased TSC chicks twice this year.
And I believe @nuthatched purchased chocolate orpington chicks, as well.
We all do and take the risk.
Please know it is NOT your fault.

I know it feels like my fault- and I love them and now I’ll likely
Have to watch them all
Die

 

[Ksimone]

I know it feels like my fault- and I love them and now I’ll likely
Have to watch them all
Die

Unless anyone on here has any type of positive story