Moving Forward- Breeding for Resistance to Marek's Disease

[speckledhen]

Chooks and George. Breeding for resistance I would think is very difficult in that there are many many factors that come into play. Like we've said before, it's like fighting a ghost. I wonder how many times it's been tried by researchers and their results printed. Not just one experiment by one scientist.

Also, humans being humans, there is always room for unintentional mistakes. And a person can't be condemned for not caring or not knowing because they still have (had) the best of intentions.

Fern is not doing well. Is there any way to euthanize with a block or wood over her neck and a hammer? I know this is crude but I don't want her to bleed out since she'll be sent for a necropsy. Would it be cruel?

You can use an axe as long as you send along the head with her, at least, that's what the Ky vet told Ladyhawk. Or, you could draw a vial of blood, then euthanize her and send the vial with her as well. I'm so sorry, I hate this part so much, Karen.

 

[seminolewind]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/803253/the-buckeye-thread/2850_50#post_14173730 starting with post #2858

I have never ever seen a thread where breeders and show-ers completely think Marek's is a big joke and either chuckle or ignore posts about Marek's.

With the tone of the conversation, I hope BYC is not condoning this type of behavior and giving all other members the feeling that Marek's is a joke and should be ignored. I hope BYC does something about this thread. I hate seeing these members set an example of what we try to do here.

 

[JensChickies]

This thread is like a breath of fresh air. Not only information, but also support. This day in age I can't believe that they don't have a better vaccine for MD. Especially since it is everywhere! I'm glad I found this, now I know MD and coccidiosis go pretty much hand in hand. My suspected MD hen has been not doing very good, so I will treat her cor coccidiosis.

 

[seminolewind]

Yea, Jen, there's been times that I have not been quick enough to think to treat for cocci because they "had Marek's."

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Me too, but she can't sit up, and the vet is closed till Monday. I hate this. Hate hate hate.

 

[speckledhen]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/803253/the-buckeye-thread/2850_50#post_14173730 starting with post #2858

I have never ever seen a thread where breeders and show-ers completely think Marek's is a big joke and either chuckle or ignore posts about Marek's.

With the tone of the conversation, I hope BYC is not condoning this type of behavior and giving all other members the feeling that Marek's is a joke and should be ignored. I hope BYC does something about this thread. I hate seeing these members set an example of what we try to do here.

The problem is that there is much misinformation on the thread you are talking about, including about Coryza, which I tried to correct with supporting link but got one of those snarky Joe Biden-type sneers. A few threads of late have a nasty tone.

This is no joke. This disease is causing so much heartache in small backyard flocks all over this country. Most big time breeders do not have the same feeling about their birds as I know I do and you do. They care about the way they look and their general vigor so they can sell the birds, get accolades for themselves-we see things differently. No, it's not fun to have to come to a dead halt when disease invades! I don't wish it on anyone, but you get dealt a bad hand and it's just what it is. You stop showing and selling birds and you DEAL WITH IT.

I care to prevent suffering and it is NOT easy to euthanize a hen you have loved for years, no matter how much it is necessary. It is so hard, it haunts me for weeks and I have to fight to put it out of my mind. My husband is worse than I am, but he does what he has to do, tears streaming down his face the entire time.

If a hen is very far gone, Karen, you can hold her and slowly pinch off her airway like you can a newly hatched, but deformed chick. It isn't easy unless she's really ready to go, though, because they have the instinct to live.

Found this today, tumors not caused by any virus. I wonder how many of these are misdiagnosed as MD or LL tumors? Or do they appear different? I have to ponder this one.


Quote:

 

[gjensen]

Chooks and George. Breeding for resistance I would think is very difficult in that there are many many factors that come into play. Like we've said before, it's like fighting a ghost. I wonder how many times it's been tried by researchers and their results printed. Not just one experiment by one scientist.

Also, humans being humans, there is always room for unintentional mistakes. And a person can't be condemned for not caring or not knowing because they still have (had) the best of intentions.

Fern is not doing well. Is there any way to euthanize with a block or wood over her neck and a hammer? I know this is crude but I don't want her to bleed out since she'll be sent for a necropsy. Would it be cruel?

I would not euthanize her like that. I am afraid that it will be a lot more pain for you and her. In SC, they prefer them alive.

 

[speckledhen]

I would not euthanize her like that. I am afraid that it will be a lot more pain for you and her. In SC, they prefer them alive.

But, you know what they do to euthanize them at the lab. Some would rather do it at home. I wish vets would trust us with the euthanasia drug, but they dont want drugs in the system of a bird going for necropsy anyway.

 

[JensChickies]

But, you know what they do to euthanize them at the lab. Some would rather do it at home. I wish vets would trust us with the euthanasia drug, but they dont want drugs in the system of a bird going for necropsy anyway.

If I have to put mine down, which I provably will, I will take her to a vet. She is to near and dear to my heart. I don't blame you at all for not wanting yo do that. The way I see it, if it is Mereks, there's nothing that I can do for the rest of my flock, so I rather give her a needle.

 

[speckledhen]

Usually, the lab does the heart stick, which some consider barbaric. I know why they do it, but it isn't pleasant to think of.