Moving Forward- Breeding for Resistance to Marek's Disease

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I see what you mean. I have no idea if there are chickens out there who are completely immune. Interesting tho.

Cynthia, your dead bird is probably way in the back of someone's fridge, LOL

 

[speckledhen]

I see what you mean. I have no idea if there are chickens out there who are completely immune. Interesting tho.

Cynthia, your dead bird is probably way in the back of someone's fridge, LOL

Good grief. I hope they get a move on! Poor hen. The little 10 week old pullet I have now is her daughter. Sweet little thing.


ETA: Karen, I knew you were being facetious. It was just a weird visual, LOL.

 

[chooks4life]

I would assume that somewhere out there are truly immune chickens. Even with HIV, some very few humans possess immunity even though the vast majority can at best exhibit short term resistance before succumbing. Immunity is very rare but does exist, and it doesn't seem to matter which disease is being discussed.

What would really help is freely available, affordable and specific testing kits, and some kind of organized group working preferably multinationally in this vein of attack.

 

[tridentk9]

Cynthia, I think that unless a chicken has active tumors or symptoms, it becomes more difficult to test for the virus.  Since the virus is spread in dander, I can't see one chicken not getting it.  No chicken is [error, edited out]  immune to Marek's virus.  They get it and become spewing factories of more Marek's.  The chickens do most likely have varying amounts of resistance.  Since Marek's also suppresses the immune system, I don't believe there can be an immunity.  All the unvaccinated chickens I have right now are resistant.  They have been exposed 4 years ago and have not died. 

What does immunity mean to you? 

But some chickens don't get the disease even when exposed. No symptoms, signs or shedding. It depends on the strain of the virus, level of exposure and current state of immune system.

Meanwhile ..... for my enjoyment I was reading about herbs, lignons, probiotics, etc and avian influenza. Different disease so maybe nothing listed is effective against MDV or maybe some things work for MDV also. Both are a virus and both attack through the lungs. I also found Interesting that a lot of the herbs and the probiotics helped the influenza vaccines work better. https://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-.../view-overview-control-avian-t3298/141-p0.htm you may need to sign up to read the article but it's free.

I also read two older articles. Some interesting info but not sure if new information has come to light since they were written. Still need to check that out. But they did mention using litter from diseased birds to expose chicks. That might make it possible to slowly or lightly expose the chicks as opposed to all or nothing.

 

[seminolewind]

It would seem to me that litter from diseased birds would give an unsafe exposure, where a vaccine would give a safe exposure. I think I would take the safe way and get the antibodies without the disease.

But I do have 2 chickens that were not vaccinated, grew a few months out in a private but not quarantined coop, then left for a few months and brought back. And they seem to be well , the roo is 18 months old now. I think the hen is 3.

So even if I would not use litter from diseased birds, I would try removing the chicks for a few months at some point, like at 6 weeks away and back at 4 months old or something like that. I guess that would be the slow or light exposure like you were suggesting. Maybe we should just give each little chick a can of Lysol and send them on their way.

 

[tridentk9]

Vaccination in the egg is considered the best time to vaccinate as maternal antibodies are low, lower than at hatch. Or day 3 when maternal antibodies are their highest. This, as well as the type of vaccine, is vitally important to efficacy.

 

[tridentk9]

It would seem to me that litter from diseased birds would give an unsafe exposure, where a vaccine would give a safe exposure.  I think I would take the safe way and get the antibodies without the disease.

I'm sorry- I didn't explain the segue. I brought up litter in response to the comments the other day about exposing chicks (adults?) to MDV. Exposure to the virus is needed to weed out susceptible individuals. Litter might be a better option over exposure to an affected individual.

 

[chooks4life]

I'm sorry- I didn't explain the segue. I brought up litter in response to the comments the other day about exposing chicks (adults?) to MDV. Exposure to the virus is needed to weed out susceptible individuals. Litter might be a better option over exposure to an affected individual.

Why, though? Are we trying to reduce degree of exposure or something? It was chicks, yes, though the age of the infected bird was open to discussion.

Best wishes.

 

[tridentk9]

Why, though? Are we trying to reduce degree of exposure or something? It was chicks, yes, though the age of the infected bird was open to discussion.

Best wishes.

Yes, trying to control as much as you can. And keeping the rest of the flock as safe as possible.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Okay, I understand this. And it makes sense.