Need help with an ethical question.

[Lensters]

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Actually, I talked to the state vet and the state extension office and both told me there wasn't a test available. I did some of my own research and found the fluorescent dye for Marek's is still at the University research stage and that is the only test on the horizon that looks promising. It appears to be similar to the "Washington HSV1" test in that it reveals "activated" TNF/CD4 white blood cells. So my guess is that if a chicken has been recently exposed (even if not infected) then it will turn up positive.

 

[colowyo0809]

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[redhen]

It should not EVEN be a question..
If you dont want to cull them..
IF you sell any of those birds you HAVE to tell people that they may have Mereks...
Its the RIGHT thing to do.
Actually... The RIGHT thing to do though is to cull them. OR keep the birds ON your property until they die...so they dont spread the disease to healthy innocent birds...

 

[MomMommyMamma]

This is all very interesting to me as a newbie. I have purchased chicks from two local breeders. I asked about Mereks vaccine - neither use/offer it. One told me that "in a small flock it's really not necessary" and the other just said that her birds are all NPIP certified and I took all of that at face value to mean all is well and OK. I can see that I will be having to do some more research. I didn't realize that one has to assume that all birds have it. Lots of questions in my head now...and I have more chicks arriving tomorrow from breeders in OH.

 

[Lensters]

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That is the problem, there is know way to know for sure if they are infected. Infected birds live for approximately 6 weeks with the only symptom being somewhat lower egg production the last three weeks, weight loss the last week and then they go down for a day. That is why I say wait 8 weeks after exposure and then the chances are slim that they are going to be infected but it is still wise to let potential buyers know that the birds have been exposed and one or more could possibly be carriers. People with vaccinated flocks or no other chickens should be perfectly safe with "exposed birds".

 

[Oven Ready]

I talked to the state vet and the state extension office and both told me there wasn't a test available

It's surprising given that the vaccine started so long ago and the virus is well known - and it's close human relations have a wide range of accurate tests available. I guess that's what becomes of just being a chicken, not really at the cutting edge.

To Babsbag.... and anyone else I guess.

I found this link lurking on an H5N1 report from China. It didn't specifically say 'Only for suspected avian flu' so it might be worth a try if you lose any more. I'm sure they'd give it more than a once over and then declare "presumed Marek's". Mareks is a serious poultry disease, particularly if there is new strain about that the vaccine doesn't control.

The USDA operates a toll-free hotline (1-866-536-7593) with veterinarians to help you. The USDA wants to test sick birds to make sure they do not have a serious poultry disease. There is no charge for USDA veterinarians to work with you to conduct a disease investigation.

EVERYONE PLEASE NOTE : I am not saying there is a new strain that defeats the vaccine, I'm just saying that like a lot of viruses, it does mutate and can mutate to the point where the existing vaccine strain does not provide protection.​

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I have a big problem with folks that sell or give away possibly infected birds, even if they do tell the new owner. Suppose the new owner decides to free range these birds and they decide to walk over to my place to where my coops/runs are? Now I've got to possibly deal with a problem that could have been prevented by someone Else's irresponsible actions or lack thereof. If I see someone posting infected birds on Craigslist or other, I will flag it and have it removed.

I love my birds as much as anyone else, but if I'm not responsible enough to cull(destroy in this sense) them when needed then I have no business owning them. Pets or not, sometimes the responsible thing to do is not always the easiest.

If you decide to not destroy and burn them, please keep them penned up on your property and practice bio-security before visiting someone else that has birds or going to the feed store. Do not let them leave your property.

Another vote for CULL! CULL! CULL!


This may seem harsh, but I have a-lot of time, sweat, and money in my birds to lose them to someone Else's irresponsibility.

 

[babsbag]

They stay on my property, but since it travels through feather dander that doesn't really matter on a windy day. My birds contracted it from somewhere, and it wasn't from the breeder, and I don't go to shows or have friends that own chickens. As I said before, the closest chickens to me are about 1/4 mile.

Vaccinating a chick at one day of age will not keep it from getting the disease, nor will it keep it from spreading the disease if it does contract it. So we are only fooling ourselves thinking that a non-syptomatic bird is disease free. They can be carrying it anywhere it or there feather dust goes. I have read that we should all just assume that our birds are infected. Vaccinating lets you enjoy "healthy" birds, so you may be spreading it and not knowing, and since there is no test on live birds where does that leave all of us? I think that leaves us having a false sense of security. It may be that infected birds are being sold and traded and no one knows about it until they infect an unvaccinated flock. And if it takes 6 weeks for symptoms to appear then a 30 day quarantine isn't long enough, and if they are on your property and in quarantine that is too close.

I haven't had any sick birds since I vaccinated my flock, it has been about 6 weeks since I did that. But I am not thinking that they are all disease free.

And why would I burn them if I did cull them? I'm sorry, but that is going a little too far. Burials work just as well. This is not mad cow or hoof and mouth diesease we are dealing with. It isn't even a reportable diesease.

I also have time, sweat, and money invested in my flock. Unless I want to get out of chickens completly I have to deal with the hand I have been dealt. I can't afford to destroy my coop and build a new one. My chickens range with my goats and I don't have the rest of my property fenced so they have to stay where they are.

I may or may not sell, trade, or give away my birds. And they may or may not be infected. I think that those breeders that sell vaccinated chickens can be spreading the disease the same as I may. At least I will tell people the history of my flock and not just "assume" they are disease free because they have been vaccinated.

 

[colowyo0809]

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[PoultryPedia]

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Tumors, and progressive paralysis of legs, wings, neck, eyelids or organs are other potential symptoms you can look for. Also red inflammation around the base of feathers, breathing problems, weight loss, and diarrhea.
The disease can survive many months even without chickens around, and rototilling infected ground doesn't do any good (according to what I read from a person who tried that). Rodents can also transmit the disease.
What a challenge to deal with! I'm so sorry

Good for you trying to figure out ways to appropriately handle the situation.