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

[BigECarter]

The other unfortunate thing is I feel my business I once had is going down the drain. I bought these birds as breeders to sell chicks in the spring. But the more I read the more I hear not to sell to anyone or let my birds leave. I really just feel alone and lost in this nightmare I thought would never happen to me. 

If you use an incubator and are diligent with bio security, you should be able to sell the chicks.

I second the previous poster asking if you have had a necropsy done to confirm Marek's. Your post implies that the chicks came with Marek's from the hatchery, but Meyer is a large and well-respected hatchery so I doubt that to be the case.

Are your other flocks vaccinated? And were the chicks from Meyer vaccinated?

Hugs to you!
Big E

 

[Tripp16]

If you use an incubator and are diligent with bio security, you should be able to sell the chicks.

I second the previous poster asking if you have had a necropsy done to confirm Marek's. Your post implies that the chicks came with Marek's from the hatchery, but Meyer is a large and well-respected hatchery so I doubt that to be the case.

Are your other flocks vaccinated? And were the chicks from Meyer vaccinated?

Hugs to you!

Hi, no I have not sent the birds off for necropsy. That being said, the birds were supposed to be vaccinated when I bought them. The thing that is weird is, I had a young chicks die at just about 8 weeks old. It lost all function of its limbs and was non responsive. Same thing happened to the other birds that I have lost in the recent weeks. I have not confirmed by a necropsy but I always think "if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck it probably is a duck."

None of my other birds have been affected so far. I bought one flock back in july from a reputable breeder but have had no issues before getting these chicks.

None of my older are affected . I have not hatched anything since it is winter because I am afraid I wont be able to sell them or they will become infected themselves. I dont have a big enough facility to keep them separated for long due to my brooding area being in my breeding house.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I agree. And you can't start over clean. It won't work. You are not alone. Did you keep the vaccinated chicks quarantined? It is a nightmare and did ruin a lot of dreams.

 

[lalaland]

Tripp16, I would really suggest with the next death that you send for necropsy. ALternatively, you could look into the blood test at texas....a vet should be able to help with that. THe thing is, knowing for sure, would help you move forward and make decisions.

Best if you can figure out the detailsin advance of how to handle the dead chicken and where to send it, etc so it can be done.

Here is info on the blood test :
One PCR test available at University of Texas requires chicken blood collected in EDTA (noncoagulated) to be tested for Marek's disease virus nuclei acid. this test is approx. $30 per sample and would be conducted on birds that are still alive.

A second test, available at University of Georgia, is conducted on tissue or blood. I called the lab and the technician believes they can test brain that has been previously fixed in preservative, but she will have to confirm. This test is approximately $110.

Please keep in mind that both of these tests only indicate that birds have been exposed to the MD virus and do not prove that MD is the primary disease. Many birds can test positive for MD with such tests because the virus is ubiquitous, but many exposed birds do not develop clinical signs or lesions because they have been vaccinated.

I think you would need a vet to properly collect the blood and to be in contact with the univ of texas but any vet should be willing to help with that.

It is a hard blow. I found out about mareks via necropsy in Oct and it hit me pretty hard. I have learned more now and feel a bit better, although my future plans went up in smoke, too.

 

[Nambroth]

Hi, no I have not sent the birds off for necropsy. That being said, the birds were supposed to be vaccinated when I bought them. The thing that is weird is, I had a young chicks die at just about 8 weeks old. It lost all function of its limbs and was non responsive. Same thing happened to the other birds that I have lost in the recent weeks. I have not confirmed by a necropsy but I always think "if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck it probably is a duck."

None of my other birds have been affected so far. I bought one flock back in july from a reputable breeder but have had no issues before getting these chicks.

None of my older are affected . I have not hatched anything since it is winter because I am afraid I wont be able to sell them or they will become infected themselves. I dont have a big enough facility to keep them separated for long due to my brooding area being in my breeding house.

I'd highly recommend sending for necropsy if you lose another-- especially since having this disease (or not) will impact your future business. There are other things that can cause ataxia and symptoms you describe that could be at play here. It could be Marek's, yes, but it could be other things. I would be suspicious of other things since you had them hatchery vaccinated. You lost more than I would expect to see out of a hatchery vaccinated group, unless you happen to be unfortunate enough to have a very virulent strain on your property (in this case you would be more likely to see problems in your older birds, too).

You can also send blood from a live bird for PCR testing, but it seems possible to have a false negative on a bird that is not actively symptomatic.

 

[ochochicas]

There are some other conditions that could have caused the death of the younger birds. I'd suspect something like feed contamination (maybe botulism) or vitamin deficiency. In addition there are a handful of other diseases that could have caused it. If your chicks were vaccinated for MD I'd look into something else and try to prevent/treat from there. I don't know if coccidia causes paralysis, but younger birds are way more susceptible to it than older birds.

 

[Tripp16]

I have considered it being coccidia because alot of the symptoms match up. The only reason I think it may not be is the fact that my birds look healthy, not dirty or unkept. Then one day they will start limping or just act like they cant control their limbs or neck even. I had a hen die and her neck twisted all the way around before she died. It was horrible! She was listless and didnt respond to anything I did.

I just went out today to find a hen limping tomorrow she will probably be on the ground listless herself. Its so upsetting. If she does, indeed, pass I will most likely send off for a necropsy. Thats my only chances I feel to get a solid answer.

This is such sad, gut wrenching, dream crusher all in one disease. I hate seeing my birds suffer. This thread is good to make me not feel so alone. ;/

Thank you all for the help so far.

 

[seminolewind]

Tripp, I'm sorry you have lost chickens. Yes do send the next one for a necropsy. Casportpony's instructions are linked at the bottom of my posts. I found it really helped me to be prepared in advance. I had gotten the coolers, and ice packs, and made copies of the form to send with it. It all sat here for a year but it was easy when the time came. I do print the USPS shipping sticker from online because the online prices are a lot cheaper.

 

[jgoldy2]

Show time is almost here, hope the birds are healthy

 

[lalaland]

so I must be mixed up....jgoldy, so your birds don't have mareks or havent' been exposed to mareks?