Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[uchytil]

Mareks is a viral infection in the Herpesvirus family. These viruses target the nerves. It takes at least 3-4 weeks after infection for lesions to start showing up. Early-affected birds may show paralysis, or may just act sick and die; some may not show signs and recover. If the initial infection does not cause death, the virus settles in the nervous tissues and can show up later (many herpesviruses cause latent (inapparent) infections that reoccur later - think chickenpox/shingles, or herpes simplex/skin lesions). These are the older ones that develop tumors of the nervous system; they develop progressive paralysis and eventually die. So healthy birds can carry and shed the virus without themselves showing illness.

The virus is spread in dander from feather follicles and inhaled.

Vaccination is with a similar strain of Turkey herpesvirus that itself does not cause illness. For it to be most effective, is needs to be given in the first days of life. (Vaccination will not prevent infection, only disease - so vaccinated birds may still get the virus and pass it on to other, unvaccinated birds, although this is much less likely to happen).

There are different strains of virus, and some are more lethal than others.

Lady, as Dr. Fulton said, all of our flocks are likely exposed and eventually will be infected with Mareks. It is natural that some folks will feel uncomfortable regarding your flock, just as some avoid those with cancer or other serious diseases. It is good that you can share your experience here, and not everyone will feel that way about your birds.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Haha you all are funny. Either way, I'm gonna get a smaller flock before any Roos

I have never had Mareks. And never want to get it either. I am but familiar with it, so I will be of little help.

 

[JackieandChicks]

6 month old lavender Amerucana 'roo for sale - $15. West Michigan. Turns out both of my lavenders are roos...only need one! John Blehm stock...

 

[snowflake]

6 month old lavender Amerucana 'roo for sale - $15. West Michigan. Turns out both of my lavenders are roos...only need one! John Blehm stock...

I have some of his, how big are yours? mine are supposed to be standard but are bantam sized. fun sweet birds but I don't want banties, so I will re purpose the roosters

 

[snowflake]

sorry about the illness in flocks, this is the hardest part of chicken keeping. I have had Mareks in my flock it is a stress full thing,

 

[JackieandChicks]

I have some of his, how big are yours? mine are supposed to be standard but are bantam sized. fun sweet birds but I don't want banties, so I will re purpose the roosters

He's full sized. Here they are next to my 6 month old Welsummer pullet.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

So many beautiful roosters!

Here is my EE Cappuccino. She is a big baby and when she is alone and can't find her friends she sounds like a wild bird with her calls. She's skittish and hard to catch.

 

[taprock]

After a crazy work week and one fun day to the Island it is now fair time. DH has the week off and I have most of it off. The pig was loaded last night, the turkeys this morning about 5:30 and now it's my job to bring the 16 chickens.

I really worked on keeping the turkeys friendly. It seems I over did it. I hand feed them scratch which they love but yesterday I had one try to take my finger looking for scratch as I walked by. Last night I was picking flowers and was crouched down. I ended up surrounded by the turkeys and they just kept pecking at me. Not being mean but looking for something to eat. I have red marks all over from them grabbing me. I ended up yelling at them and swatting them but it didn't faze them and they just continued to follow me. Now that these did so well I really want to get some heritage breed to keep.

 

[JackieandChicks]

I have some of his, how big are yours? mine are supposed to be standard but are bantam sized. fun sweet birds but I don't want banties, so I will re purpose the roosters

Do you think you might be interested in him? You are only an hour away

 

[snowflake]

Do you think you might be interested in him? You are only an hour away

Thank you but no, I have a full size silver that I really like and a chanticlair , I hope to breed, and I have 2 good sized pens I can keep them separate during breeding season, I still need to dispatch my small roo and may have some chicks that turn out to be roos also. hoping to get down to 1 blue and 1 brown egg group, and only 2 roos. They are very nice birds though Good disposition.