Non Emergent - Moving forward with Mareks

[DSJMHenDen]

Doing my best to keep this short, but looking for best practices on moving forward with confirmed Mareks in my flock. I have read quite a bit while we were waiting for test results of the blood sample. I still feel confused on what I should do though. I don't want to stop keeping chickens, but I feel pretty overwhelmed.

We currently have 8 chickens (no roosters) of 12 remaining. I'm guessing we will be to 7 by the end of the week. A very high loss despite doing my best to treat whatever ailments we've come across. I feel very sad, and think that if I hadn't bought 6 month old to start, my first year chicken keeping could have been entirely different. Regardless, I don't think I could cull them all, and would let them live out what time they have. I already have "chicken shoes" that I only wear in my own backyard and in the run. I do live in a suburban area, and I wonder if it is irresponsible to continue keeping them knowing we have a Mareks flock.

Would it also be irresponsible to add vaccinated birds at a later date? I have found quite a bit of joy keeping chickens much to my own surprise (I didn't actually want them to begin with, but they sucked me into their orbit and now I'm in deep haha). Ordering from a hatchery directly would be the only option for this I assume, as I don't trust myself to vaccinate properly.

Just looking for first hand experience and advice from others who have been through something similar. Thank you.

 

[MamaPoult]

I am so sorry you're going through this . Marek's is such a heart breaker but it sounds like you're doing everything you know to do. I don't think you should just give it up completely, maybe just need to start over when you're ready as tough as it sounds. I've had Mareks take out 30 of my meat birds (they had it when I bought them) so I understand how hard it is, I'm just thankful my big flock was separate. I hope you get the answers you're looking for. Don't be afraid to keep posting on this thread to bump it to the top, sometimes they just get burried.

 

[Polka and Dot]

Hi there, I realize this is an old post but I really empathize with what you have said. What did you decide to do?

I think I might be dealing with Marek's in one bird (so far) of a fully vaccinated flock.

 

[DSJMHenDen]

Hi there, I realize this is an old post but I really empathize with what you have said. What did you decide to do?

I think I might be dealing with Marek's in one bird (so far) of a fully vaccinated flock.

The short answer is, I haven't decided anything.

I still have my remaining girls, the oldest 3 being over a year and a half now. I've read that mareks is likely present in up to 80% of backyard flocks (Don't quote me on that, I read it, but I don't know the source). This makes me wonder, assuming that number is accurate, if it is just a fact of chicken keeping? If I hadn't sent off for a test, I wouldn't have been the wiser.

I have continued with my flock, and have considered adding more, but haven't decided on that. Even with all of the loss, they still bring me joy, so they can live out their time with me. I'm sorry you have been possibly going through it as well.