Most disease resistant breeds

[Kiki]

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.

I am sorry you are stuck with this disease. I too suggest not adding any birds until all of your current ones die.
If you must add new birds adding vaccinated for Marek's birds may help future birds not suffer as much.

Whatever you do for sure don't ever give away, sell or rehome a bird.

 

[Kiki]

Also...the less stress in your flock the better.
Stress alone makes the Marek's symptoms worse quicker. Feed a balanced diet, extremely limited treats and avoid change and Your current birds could do well for a while.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Have you thought about getting ducks instead?

 

[dananatalie]

Hi Big Red,
There’s a lot of false info and opinions on the internet about this. I succumbed to some of that info and paid the ultimate price when I didn’t vaccinate my birds against this deadly disease. I totally understand some peoples comments about culling your birds. This is something breeders or farms will do. My avian vet said this is a bit extreme when your a backyard chicken keeper and these birds are your pets. He educated me a lot about this disease and the vaccine. You should always vaccinate your birds against this horrific disease. Mixing unvaccinated and vaccinated birds is not going to give the unvaccinated birds Mareks. The vaccine helps to prevent the deadly tumors from forming. Here is the guidance my vet gave me. You can completely close off your flock, meaning no birds in or out. Or you can be sure that any new birds you introduce are vaccinated. I have chosen the later of these since the girls I did have that were able to fight off the disease were lonely. I waited a year to essentially see who was strong enough to make it. Then I got vaccinated teenagers from a reputable breeder to intro. You will most likely have it forever in your flock and it sucks sometimes. You can also see if you can find a vet to vaccinate the current birds you have too to see if this can help stave off any tumor development. I wish you and your kids the best of luck and hope you don’t give up on chickens even though this disease is so awful and prevalent. Please reach out if you have questions. I would love to share my experience and some of the other things I did to boost the health of my girls.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Keep in mind the Mareks "vaccination" is much like the COVID-19 "vaccination". It's more of a preventative for symptoms or reduction in severity of symptoms than an actual vaccine. There are many people doing exactly like you in bringing in breeds that are more resistant. Personally, I like this approach because Mareks is so common nowadays unfortunately. I suspect it will continue like this until birds become resistant or an economical vaccine that prevents Mareks is developed and offered in any and all areas.

This is all my personal opinion. Im not trying to offend anyone or start an argument. I wish everyone the very best

 

[Folly's place]

Marek's disease lingers for at least a year, or longer, in the environment, because it's in the dust, dander, and feathers there. If you do add more birds, they need to have been vaccinated against Marek's disease at the hatchery, and then be kept isolated away from exposure for two weeks, so they can develop immunity. They will still have Marek's disease when you bring them to your property, but are much less likely to die of the tumors that affect Marek's infected unvaccinated chickens.
Most importantly, don't spread this to other flocks!!! Biosecurity is so important here. No visiting other flocks, or anywhere, with your 'barn shoes', or clothing worn in your yard. No visitors who have chickens out there. Your birds can't go anywhere, ever.
Was this the only problem found? Hope it wasn't also Mycoplasma, or anything else.
So sorry that this has happened!
Mary

 

[Pollito Pelon]

Selective breeding over time.

Common backyard chickens are the most resistant to disease.

 

[Folly's place]

'Breeding for resistance' means having chickens dying of this disease, where buying vaccinated chicks is a more humane choice, IMO.
It's just a sad situation for the OP, and I'm sorry for them.
Mary

 

[TwistedTayy]

Egyptian Fayoumis are being studied for their disease resistance but their personalities aren’t for everyone. I introduced them to my flock in hopes of breeding in the resistance.

 

[springvalley123]

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

X2 plus! The Egyptian Fayoumi is resistant to disease, esp mareks I believe, and very heat tolerant. I doubt they'd pose for pictures like your 2020 flock though. I've read credible scientific articles that say the mareks vaccine is leaky--it doesn't kill the disease so it just puts pressure on the virus to mutate. Therefore I'd believe the advice to cull the entire flock and start fresh, after a certain amount of time. Sorry I don't know the specifics on what/how to sterilize the ground, coop and run though.

Welcome to BYC! and here's the arizona thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/arizona-chickens.31227/page-7963

**ETA** culling now vs just closing the flock: that's a tough choice, the pictures of the hens with the kids are sinking in.... So sorry you're having to deal with this.