Hi everyone, I haven't posted anything since I introduced myself. But I'm looking for seasoned chicken custodian/lovers assistance. I got 24 chicks from our Heritage chicken program here in Alberta. They were picked up by owners at farm supply stores. I picked mine up at a certain location. This is where I think they were exposed to Marek's as the woman taking care of them until the owners pick them up told me she had her own chickens. And when I went to pick up the chicks, they were right by the front door. The sign that said 'do not touch' wasn't working when I showed up. And apparently these chicks were vaccinated for Marek's, but being exposed to a woman who has her own chicken farm at the ripe old age of a day old obviously did not allow the vaccination to assist them.
Now, seven and a half weeks in, I have lost 4 chicks. And it was confirmed that the 3rd chick lost had Marek's. The Alberta Government completed the necropsy. I talked with the veterinarian yesterday. She was very helpful in our discussion, she gave me three options moving forward. First option was to euthanize 4 that had partial paralysis in one of its legs and leave the rest of the birds alive. Option 2 - euthanize the smallest Birds in the flock and leave the rest of the birds( I have a huge size and feathering out rate difference in my flock). The third option is to euthanize all of the birds, sterilize everything, and eventually move forward with new chickens. When I asked her what she would do, it came down to she would remove the smallest chicks and move forward, but understanding that I could never sell or share my birds.
This is the first time chickens have been on this property, ever! We haven't placed them in the chicken coop yet and they've been in large x pens with covered sleeping quarters. To say I'm emotionally drained from losing 4 chicks after extended attempts to nurse them back to health is an understatement. I've done a ton of reading on Marek's, and I understand that it is a disease that can continue to have losses in the flock and suffering in the birds. I'm also concerned that I can't bring new chickens in without exposing them to Marek's..
My emotional side is not wanting me to euthanize them. As the veterinarian said yesterday, she does struggle euthanizing birds that look fine and are eating fine. But she understands that they're sick and sometimes that's what we need to do. My logical side says we should euthanize them and start over again next year possibly with hatching eggs to reduce the chances of Marek's. I'm very attached to several of these chicks. They are so social and engaging. But, I see having chickens as a long-term endeavour and I want to reduce the risk of me passing it on to other people's chickens inadvertently and future chicks. I also don't want more of my girls and boys to suffer.
If there's anyone who's been through this, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you. I really appreciate you're sharing. At this point, I am not in need of hearing about holistic medicines. I've done a ton of reading and have information on that area. I'm really looking for assistance in helping make the best decision based on what's best for my current flock, for my farm, and any other flock owners. I come into contact with. Thank you for helping me in this difficult decision time.
Now, seven and a half weeks in, I have lost 4 chicks. And it was confirmed that the 3rd chick lost had Marek's. The Alberta Government completed the necropsy. I talked with the veterinarian yesterday. She was very helpful in our discussion, she gave me three options moving forward. First option was to euthanize 4 that had partial paralysis in one of its legs and leave the rest of the birds alive. Option 2 - euthanize the smallest Birds in the flock and leave the rest of the birds( I have a huge size and feathering out rate difference in my flock). The third option is to euthanize all of the birds, sterilize everything, and eventually move forward with new chickens. When I asked her what she would do, it came down to she would remove the smallest chicks and move forward, but understanding that I could never sell or share my birds.
This is the first time chickens have been on this property, ever! We haven't placed them in the chicken coop yet and they've been in large x pens with covered sleeping quarters. To say I'm emotionally drained from losing 4 chicks after extended attempts to nurse them back to health is an understatement. I've done a ton of reading on Marek's, and I understand that it is a disease that can continue to have losses in the flock and suffering in the birds. I'm also concerned that I can't bring new chickens in without exposing them to Marek's..
My emotional side is not wanting me to euthanize them. As the veterinarian said yesterday, she does struggle euthanizing birds that look fine and are eating fine. But she understands that they're sick and sometimes that's what we need to do. My logical side says we should euthanize them and start over again next year possibly with hatching eggs to reduce the chances of Marek's. I'm very attached to several of these chicks. They are so social and engaging. But, I see having chickens as a long-term endeavour and I want to reduce the risk of me passing it on to other people's chickens inadvertently and future chicks. I also don't want more of my girls and boys to suffer.
If there's anyone who's been through this, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you. I really appreciate you're sharing. At this point, I am not in need of hearing about holistic medicines. I've done a ton of reading and have information on that area. I'm really looking for assistance in helping make the best decision based on what's best for my current flock, for my farm, and any other flock owners. I come into contact with. Thank you for helping me in this difficult decision time.
