Moving Forward- Breeding for Resistance to Marek's Disease

[Nambroth]

Shoot, I am sorry to hear it, sassybirds.

 

[seminolewind]

I'm sorry too, Sassy.

It just amazes me that one chicken can be placed in a flock and cause such destruction for years. This is the first year that I see so many people understand Marek's, and the various symptoms. I hope there are many people out there who have been reading this and practicing closed flocks. (Learning from those who share what's happened to them).

 

[Northie]

How do you manage to minimize inbreeding once you've closed your flock?

Edit to add...
I think more people are getting a better understanding of this disease directly from a few people here on BYC. They've gathered and complied so much information and put a lot of effort into educating people, even noobs way out in the sticks like me lol! So, thanks

 

[chooks4life]

How do you manage to minimize inbreeding once you've closed your flock?

Chickens may be small livestock but when it comes to genetics they're bigger than most. They have a staggering genetic range and amount of possibilities.

NYREDS has said on a few threads he's maintained a closed linebred family of RIRs for... I forget but it's decades. He reckons they're still winning shows/show quality/whatever he said... But he's not the only one, there are numerous members of this forum who could give you some pointers on inbreeding indefinitely, there's also threads devoted to it.

That said, closing your flock doesn't mean they can't come in, just that they can't go out, at least the way most people use the term. No reason why you can't swap birds with someone who also has Mareks'. No need to stop the influx of new genetics and I believe it'd be counterproductive in trying to breed resistance to the disease.

Keeping a livestock journal, of even the seemingly insignificant details, is invaluable. It's so easy to dismiss it as another chore and pedantic to boot but years down the track I'm always so glad I did. For linebreeding, breeding for resistance, etc, it's a must.

Best wishes.

 

[Nambroth]

Chickens may be small livestock but when it comes to genetics they're bigger than most. They have a staggering genetic range and amount of possibilities.

NYREDS has said on a few threads he's maintained a closed linebred family of RIRs for... I forget but it's decades. He reckons they're still winning shows/show quality/whatever he said... But he's not the only one, there are numerous members of this forum who could give you some pointers on inbreeding indefinitely, there's also threads devoted to it.

That said, closing your flock doesn't mean they can't come in, just that they can't go out, at least the way most people use the term. No reason why you can't swap birds with someone who also has Mareks'. No need to stop the influx of new genetics and I believe it'd be counterproductive in trying to breed resistance to the disease.

Keeping a livestock journal, of even the seemingly insignificant details, is invaluable. It's so easy to dismiss it as another chore and pedantic to boot but years down the track I'm always so glad I did. For linebreeding, breeding for resistance, etc, it's a must.

Best wishes.

My only caution to this is if you do, make sure to get a very good flock history from the person you are swapping with. See how often they have lost birds, when, what ages, and if they had testing or just are making a guess, etc. Bringing in a more virulent strain of Marek's than you already have might strengthen your flock to it over the long term for the survivors (I am thinking at least 5-10 generations) but might also complicate factors for those that are not vigorously breeding for resistance.

Also, of course, do a quarantine and be intelligent about flock history. Marek's is not the only incurable, long-lasting virus in chickens, and Marek's positive birds tend to have immuno-supression which can be an open door for other disease to move in. So, again, get a really good flock history before attempting this. There are never too many questions!

 

[chooks4life]

My only caution to this is if you do, make sure to get a very good flock history from the person you are swapping with. See how often they have lost birds, when, what ages, and if they had testing or just are making a guess, etc. Bringing in a more virulent strain of Marek's than you already have might strengthen your flock to it over the long term for the survivors (I am thinking at least 5-10 generations) but might also complicate factors for those that are not vigorously breeding for resistance.

Also, of course, do a quarantine and be intelligent about flock history. Marek's is not the only incurable, long-lasting virus in chickens, and Marek's positive birds tend to have immuno-supression which can be an open door for other disease to move in. So, again, get a really good flock history before attempting this. There are never too many questions!

Yeah, I agree with all that. I considered the virulent strain and other diseases aspect but thought it perhaps too obvious to mention, but you're right, it does need saying. There never are too many questions for sure... But too many people tend to often lose patience, or lie about issues in their flock, or simply be unaware. How many breeders do you know keep very good records? It's unfortunate that so many don't.

Odd idea, someone not 'vigorously' breeding for resistance... But I guess that may be the case with some.

Best wishes.

 

[Northie]

Thanks, one of the ways I was thinking would help reduce any I'll effects of line breeding or inbreeding would be to give up on my idea of keeping purebred birds and mongrelize my flock.
I guess I'll have to wait and see what I have to choose from.

 

[tridentk9]

I was reading yet another chicken study when it was mentioned that the chickens they used were specific lines. One line bred for resistance and the other for susceptibility to Mareks. Interesting. I wonder if the company ever sells any chicks or fertile eggs from their resistant line.

 

[sassybirds]

My only caution to this is if you do, make sure to get a very good flock history from the person you are swapping with. See how often they have lost birds, when, what ages, and if they had testing or just are making a guess, etc. Bringing in a more virulent strain of Marek's than you already have might strengthen your flock to it over the long term for the survivors (I am thinking at least 5-10 generations) but might also complicate factors for those that are not vigorously breeding for resistance.

Also, of course, do a quarantine and be intelligent about flock history. Marek's is not the only incurable, long-lasting virus in chickens, and Marek's positive birds tend to have immuno-supression which can be an open door for other disease to move in. So, again, get a really good flock history before attempting this. There are never too many questions!

Thanks guys. It's okay...took the wind out of my sails for a bit, but I'm determined to not let this diseases stuff keep me down, darn it! Did a little research on CAV...and from what I read and the vet said, there isn't much to worry about unless the chickens are anemic. Though with Marek's potentially challenging/compromising the chickens' immune systems, CAV could cause problems.

One day at a time!

Although Marek's has certainly thrown a large wrench in my plans for my birds, I won't let it dissuade me. It's just going to take longer than planned. I still want to keep some purebred birds. They will probably be harder to breed for resistance and lord knows that chicken food isn't cheap. Thankfully my DH is pretty indulgent

Best of luck!

 

[seminolewind]

How do you manage to minimize inbreeding once you've closed your flock?

Edit to add...
I think more people are getting a better understanding of this disease directly from a few people here on BYC. They've gathered and complied so much information and put a lot of effort into educating people, even noobs way out in the sticks like me lol! So, thanks

I think the general idea of "closed" flock is that any eggs hatched by you and day old hatchery chicks. So buying hatching eggs can get you a bigger gene pool. No need to inbreed.