/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

My chicken has Mercks...what do I do with the rest of the flock?

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by eBird, Oct 2, 2013.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 2, 2013 #1
    eBird

    eBird Out Of The Brooder

    25
    0
    32
    Aug 5, 2013
    I just heard back from the vet - my chicken has Mercks. What I wonder now is what do I do with the rest of the flock?

    The other three chickens have been exposed so I am wondering what I should do.

    Here are the options I know of thus far:
    1) Wash and scrub everything on a regular basis! Use a bleach-water solution on the soil and watch them closely.
    2) Cull the flock.

    Other information: the chickens are in a temporary coop while I build them one that is more sturdy. Will putting chickens in this permanent coop contaminate it for future flocks?

    Thank you, thank you for any help.
     
  3. Oct 2, 2013 #2
    BantamLover21

    BantamLover21 Overrun With Chickens

    23,603
    1,310
    396
    Jul 24, 2013
    Well, I would just wait and see what happens. Marek's is everywhere even without obviously infected birds being in contact with the ground, etc. Some bird are more resistant than others; its possible that the rest of your flock will be hardy enough to withstand the disease.

    If any more do fall ill, though, I would cull all of your birds. Disinfect the area well, or re-locate the coop. Making sure you only get vaccinated chicks is another possibility.
     
  5. Oct 2, 2013 #3
    eBird

    eBird Out Of The Brooder

    25
    0
    32
    Aug 5, 2013
    Thank you @BantamLover21 for your suggestions.

    My chickens were bought from a place that advertizes chicks with Mercks vacations...I am hopeful that my other hens will be okay.

    I moved their temporary coop to a new location and thoroughly hosed down the old location.

    I will be watching my chickens carefully and will make a point of cleaning their roosting box on a near daily basis. Hopefully with heightened precautionary measures they will be okay.

    Warmly, eBird
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by