Not an Emergency...Marek's in the Flock

[NJchixs]

These were from today. 11 from 14 girls. I hope that means they are feeling good. Just received my Virkon S disinfectant to clean everything I can to keep the viral load down. Now if it would just warm up above freezing so I can get some water.

 

[seminolewind]

Yes. At the peak it was two a day. I'd walk out at night and find some flopped over some dead. All my losses were the marans, not the mixed I hatched or my existing flock. Then after the diagnosis, and nursing so many still in isolation, I decided to cull all that showed active symptoms that I thought were just too far gone. They were half the size of the healthier ones (also the ones which didn't test positive). I tested five by blood and if I remember two were positive. It was very hard, I cried & prayed. Ask god to forgive me.

11 eggs from 14 girls? Wow. Today I got 5 out of 14, but ten of them are 5-6 years old.
I'm going to add Lysol spray to my routine. Who knows.

 

[schnebbles]

You probably did them all a favor by culling. I've cried so much trying to nurse only 4 back and ended up losing them. You get more attached when you're one on one with them. I'm going to get that vikron in the spring when I clean the coop out good. Hopefully no more deaths before that.

 

[KAT Bird]

These were from today. 11 from 14 girls. I hope that means they are feeling good. Just received my Virkon S disinfectant to clean everything I can to keep the viral load down. Now if it would just warm up above freezing so I can get some water.

What beautiful eggs!

 

[casportpony]

What beautiful eggs!

X2!

-Kathy

 

[Bossom-hen]

Quote: I hope my immunised birds will be OK. If I'd have known what I know now I probably wouldn't have got more chickens after the original infected two (which would have been very sad as I adore my chickens). I am concerned because one of the three went super-broody recently and lost a lot of weight as she wouldn't come out of the nest, she seems just about over it now but I am having difficulty getting weight back on her which makes me worry something else is going on too.

 

[Bossom-hen]

To follow the above post I have now noticed the above hen has a slightly odd right foot (toes sometimes tucking under when placed down on ground) walking very slightly favouring the opposite leg. I am gutted as I presume this means she is most likey going to develop mareks now, she is may favourite hen.

I think this now also means my daughter's plan to start keeping budgies cannot go ahead.

 

[schnebbles]

blossom - do you think budgies can get mareks? I'm not sure about that.

I hope your hen doesn't get worse. It's just so scary.

 

[Bossom-hen]

Well I have read that most types of parrot can get it, I have also read that parrots can't get it. Obviously wild birds can carry it

I think I will have to ask my avian vet who should be able to tell me for sure.

 

[seminolewind]

Bossom Hen, what kind of chicken is that in your avatar?

I had a few "iffy's" the past few months, I think they get skinny when they molt. God only knows why they had to all molt in the winter!