My Chicks have Marek's - Should I Now Vaccinate?

[KopyKat]

I received 16 chicks from a hatchery 3 weeks ago and we have discovered what we think is the "gray eye" form of Marek's disease in our chicks.

All the irises have gone from bright gold to to a dull blue gray. The chicks are not blind and otherwise seem healthy and active.

I had originally not chosen to get the vaccination when I ordered them because of what seems to be bad advice that I saw on Ideal's site that a person didn't need to vaccinate small flocks.

I do understand that there is no cure but that the vaccination may help prevent further complications from the disease. We have done research on the internet but there are so many opinions as to whether I should go ahead and vaccinate at this point, just carry on as is or use a nuclear option. Vaccinate or not????

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[speckledhen]

Are you sure they have Mareks? Eye color changes as they age, so a picture would be helpful. They shouldn't have come straight from the hatchery with Mareks! If they really did come to you straight from the hatchery with Mareks, and I'm not sure that's what happened, I'd euthanize the lot of them and tell them you'll find another hatchery.

If these are your first birds, you don't want to start with this in your flock--you'll never get rid of it.