Most disease resistant breeds

[Big Red King]

We clearly have Marek's in our flock and probably something else (did not practice biosecurity when building flock). Out of 27 birds we have lost 9 to disease in the last year. It has been hard on the kids. They seem to go about one every month or so and all are slightly different. We want to replenish our flock in the spring so are planning to get chicks from a hatchery that uses the 3 type vaccine for best results.

The big question is what bread(s) should we get. Biggest factor is disease resistance if such a thing exists between breeds. Second factor is that we live in Phoenix and need breeds that can tolerate heat.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Our 2020 x-mas card front and back

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

You should cull your flock completely ASAP and sterilize everything if you're planning to get more birds in the spring.

As for disease resistance, I guess id say some breeds tend to generally be a little weaker and mote susceptible to respiratory disease especially (Polish, silkies) but generally speaking the rest are about the same. You don't typically get exceptional disease resistance unless you go to a local breeder with similar conditions to yours that has been breeding for such a thing.

 

[Big Red King]

Thanks for the input, as you can probably tell from the pictures the chickens are part of our family now and we would not cull the flock. Given that, I assume your advice is that we should not get more birds. Some of our pet chickens are only 1 year old and will, even being carriers of disease, live a full life. I really don't want to wait 5-6 years for them to all die naturally. Do you have any other suggestions?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Getting new birds that are vacced will give the others the disease is what I read. Are you sure you even have mareks? Did you send one to be neocropsy?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Fayoumi. That's the breed I'm adding next. A lot of landrace breeds will be more resistant to lots of things

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

So once a flock has Mareks they are forever carriers. Any new birds introduced will also contract the virus. Unfortunately adding new birds isn't a great idea. Are you positive it was Mareks? Chickens can be pricey, especially when they are freeloading! So I do understand your desire for new birds.

 

[PasoRoblesEgger]

Thanks for the input, as you can probably tell from the pictures the chickens are part of our family now and we would not cull the flock. Given that, I assume your advice is that we should not get more birds. Some of our pet chickens are only 1 year old and will, even being carriers of disease, live a full life. I really don't want to wait 5-6 years for them to all die naturally. Do you have any other suggestions?

It sounds like you can bring in new birds if they are vaccinated as one day old chicks at the hatchery? https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens

 

[Big Red King]

Getting new birds that are vacced will give the others the disease is what I read. Are you sure you even have mareks? Did you send one to be neocropsy?

Yes, we had a neocropsy done and it was confirmed to be Mareks. Our birds have all had very different symptoms so very hard to tell but I figure if one had it they all will.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Unfortunately I don't think you will be able to safely add new birds.

 

[User105877]

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