Mr. Bobblehead needs a home!

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Well I'm not sure that's the case. She says she has raised chickens for 8 years now and she still doesn't believe its Mareks. But all of her birds ar vaxxed for it and I chose not to vax for it. I am a new chicken mama(22 weeks now), but after some hasty research ..to me it looks like Mareks. I'm sad but what can I do? If he does indeed have it, it's all over my land and coop already with years of sticking power.
 
I believe mareks can be found even in soil.. The stress of a new enviroment could have brought it out if that's even what it is...
 
PoultryQueen101 said:
I know you no longer have him, but you said you would have a problem with him breeding your hens if you kept him. I was just wandering why because fertile eggs are edible. And I dont think a bobble head rooster would have much success breeding a hen lol.
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You may be right. He may not be able to breed, but because I do raise birds I didn't want to risk it. I do believe I said he may have a genetic disorder and would be a pet for someone.
 
Tara K said:
That is so awful if she knowingly passed on a sick bird to you.. It's seems that's the case;(
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I did not knowingly pass a sick bird to the lady. I have explained to her in numerous texts what I believe it may be and what the history of this bird is. He was vaccinated very early age and isolated for over four weeks along with his hatchmates before being brought to the growing pen. Gessh. I will just cull the birds with issues from now on. He is such a sweet bird, I wanted to give him a chance. She didn't have to take him AND I OFFERED TO TAKE HIM BACK IF SHE IS THIS CONCERNED ABOUT IT. SHE HASN'T RESPONDED. I AM NOT AT ALL CONVINCED THE BIRD HAS MAREKS AND WILL TAKE HIM BACK TO PROVE IT..

Gosh, I guess I need to thank her for the rotten reputation.
 
MrsBachbach said:
I did not knowingly pass a sick bird to the lady. I have explained to her in numerous texts what I believe it may be and what the history of this bird is. He was vaccinated very early age and isolated for over four weeks along with his hatchmates before being brought to the growing pen. Gessh. I will just cull the birds with issues from now on. He is such a sweet bird, I wanted to give him a chance. She didn't have to take him AND I OFFERED TO TAKE HIM BACK IF SHE IS THIS CONCERNED ABOUT IT. SHE HASN'T RESPONDED. I AM NOT AT ALL CONVINCED THE BIRD HAS MAREKS AND WILL TAKE HIM BACK TO PROVE IT..

Gosh, I guess I need to thank her for the rotten reputation.
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I'm sorry for what said.. I just heard one side;( I guess you were upfront and it's not like you tried to give him away as a perfect cockeral .. I don't think your reputation is tainted;)
 
mrsdjl3rd said:
Well I'm not sure that's the case. She says she has raised chickens for 8 years now and she still doesn't believe its Mareks. But all of her birds ar vaxxed for it and I chose not to vax for it. I am a new chicken mama(22 weeks now), but after some hasty research ..to me it looks like Mareks. I'm sad but what can I do? If he does indeed have it, it's all over my land and coop already with years of sticking power.
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You need to realize that your birds have likely been exposed even without the bird being there. It is carried in the wind, and by other birds(meaning wild birds), etc. What it bascially boils down to is your birds either have some resistance to it or are susceptible to it. Some breeds are more susceptible than others.
The bird is also at the age when eye color starts changing, it could be that, or he may be a one blue eyed bird. I will take him back, to ease your mind somewhat, but I seriously, seriously doubt you are going to start seeing your birds eyes start changing color. I have close to fifty birds here right now and don't see any with this issue.

And if they do, I will hatch you some new chicks next year. And keep them isolated just like I do all my hatches.
 
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Thank me for the rotten Rep? Come on now..lets not get hasty and strange about this. It is okay for me to want another opinion. Its obvious in this thread that you told everyone he had a wonky neck. I never wanted him as a rooster to breed. I was adopting him, I don't want or care for fertilized eggs..that's why I.have no rooster to begin with.

Since I'm new at this I didn't know to separate him for two weeks..thought didn't even cross my mind and of course that's my fault. I'm surprised you didn't suggest it since you've raised birds for 8 years..you just helped me get him in the ladies coop.

I'm not going to meet and give him back, there is no point in that. What's done is done. If he is ill then they have been exposed so only time will tell. I can just hope i dont lose my ladies to an illness. He likes my ladies and hasn't tried once to wonder off
 
mrsdjl3rd said:
Thank me for the rotten Rep? Come on now..lets not get hasty and strange about this. It is okay for me to want another opinion. Its obvious in this thread that you told everyone he had a wonky neck. I never wanted him as a rooster to breed. I was adopting him, I don't want or care for fertilized eggs..that's why I.have no rooster to begin with.

Since I'm new at this I didn't know to separate him for two weeks..thought didn't even cross my mind and of course that's my fault. I'm surprised you didn't suggest it since you've raised birds for 8 years..you just helped me get him in the ladies coop.

I'm not going to meet and give him back, there is no point in that. What's done is done. If he is ill then they have been exposed so only time will tell. I can just hope i dont lose my ladies to an illness. He likes my ladies and hasn't tried once to wonder off
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I didn't know your level of knowledge when I met you. I only pointed out what I could see, like the feed, and what care the bird would need. Quarantining a bird is a personal choice, some do, some don't. You said that's where you were going to put him. In my mind, he has been quarantined here for fourteen weeks and hasn't shown any illness, only the bobble head. I also didn't know your birds were not vaccinated and that you are against that. It's pretty hard to quarantine for Mareks. In fact, it's impractical, maybe even impossible. You would have to keep the bird very, very isolated for many, many months. I sincerely hope that isn't what is going on.

I don't want to appear presumptious, but I'm going to assume you may not know about coccidiosis. That is something they can pass to each other and you cannot quarantine for it, you can only watch for it and prepare to treat for it should it appear the bird is ill. Unfortunately, I have no suggestions for natural treatments, as I have found they don't appear to work. I reccomend Corid. Lots of info on the forum about this disease. In your case, it may not be a big issue, especially if the land has never had chickens or poultry on it before. But, it does reside in the soil and in droppings and wet weather makes it active. It is very likely, however, that the birds are carrying strains that they can pass to each other and they will have to develop immunity to the new strains and hopefully not get deathly ill while developing the immunity. Younger birds are more susceptible, but older birds can also be affected if exposed to new strains.

Glad to hear he and the girls are accepting of each other. He's not a candidate for breeding, but when he matures, he can at least keep an eye out for hawks and predators while your girls forage. Also, they make good natural alarm clocks.
 
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