Mareks

[kapy4]

I have been reading a lot about Mareks and I am still confused. I had a
young pullet...about 3 months old that I am pretty sure had Mareks. I separated her from the rest of the flock...13 others about the same age. All was well,
until a few days ago, my almost 5 month old Buttercup pullet, Sophie is ill..
she isn't eating...walks around a little, but wings are drooping and she is
bobbing her head...like she is having trouble swallowing...only it's a pretty steady
rythmn?? It doesn't look like she is going to make it. She isn't eating or drinking?

So, I suspect Sophie has Mareks too...I just don't know what to do. I culled
by first one..A brabanter named Tinkerbell..a real sweetie. This flock is just a few weeks shy of 5 months...the others must have been infected to?

I have an older flock of 15..all over a year old...they are in coops/pens side by
side, but separated by a fence?

I am broken hearted...what can I do?

 

[vangela]

so sorry that this happened to you. but I was reading that Marek;s can be healed/ ask three horses or jimmi they always have good advise.
my little one is still not healed same problem but eating and drinking again.
good luck. I pray a little prayer for you and your little chick.

 

[kapy4]

Thank you for your kinds words and ESPECIALLY your prayers.

I too have read that Mareks can be survived but the chick will be a carrier?
Does that mean that any new chicks that come in will be infected? Do I keep
her, if she survives, separated from all others?

Oh gosh..I am sorry for your trial too. I will pray for you and yours too...how long before she started eating and drinking again? There are just some
chicks that come along that are immediately special to you!!

I don't know how to find "Three Horses, or Jimmi"?

-Kathy

 

[AHappychick]

yes is a chook survives it will be a carrier so it is up to you whether you cull or not. You older birds should be fine.

Mareks is horrible cause it strikes at that 5 month age right before point of lay after all that time and love has been spent.

I would get the vacine and do all new chicks from here on cause you will never get rid of the Markes it lingers forever.

Not all the birds will get it but you may loose a few. The ones who dont get it will breed resistent chicks to it as well.

All you can do to support them during the battle with Mareks is keep them fed, clean and that sort of thing. You can try Moody Chickens fix which is esentially st Johns wart with distilled water (I think it does help)

Markes effects the nerves and it takes a long time to heal from it as nerves heal very slowly.

Good Luck I have been through it so I know all about it

 

[kapy4]

Thank you for your help.

My beloved SophieBC died this morning. Should I take her to the Vet for an
autopsy? Can you vacinate older....5 months chickens for Mareks?

 

[pips&peeps]

You can vaccinate older birds, but if you already have birds dieing from Marek's they most likely have been exposed.

It usually takes 6-8 weeks from exposure until you can identify symptoms. Also it can lay dormant for a months until something stresses the bird and then it will become active.

If you want a necropsy done on the bird, I would suggest you send it to a specialist in your state, not just your local vet.

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
you can but I would not bother, like pips & peeps said call your state it is much cheaper.

yes you can vacinate the older ones but it will not work if they have been exposed and they say that since it is everywhere if ou chicken has breathed air it has taken in Mareks. That is why the acinate at a day old and keep the chicks isolated for 10 days afterwards so it can take effect.

I would just become familiar with the vaccine and wait until you have chicks.

sorry about your loss it is hard especially at that age.

 

[TheMatador]

Sorry, dont mean to thread hijack but does anyone know if you should/should not eat an adult bird that comes down with Mareks?

Haven't gotten any feedback on the thread I started and I have a suffering bird that needs to be dealt with. Thanks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261210

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Saw it and replied. The entire idea is icky.

 

[kapy4]

Thank you all!

I love my chickens and it is hard when you lose one!! But, I have learned from
this experience, and hopefully will be better a better chicken mama!!