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

[ochochicas]

I did it! I put the kids outside with the flock yesterday. The first thing that happened was the rooster came over to check them out. The light chick (Barba) ran over and pecked him in the face. He pecked her back (gently) and she ran off, just to return 30 seconds later and she pecked him again. After that, the two pullets and the rooster went into the trees down the hill where I couldn't get a picture. Both pullets were pecking at the rooster's hackles until he got tired of them and ran back to the barn.

Eventually they came out of the trees, went to the back door of the house to eat some pebbles, and then made their way to the front door. I only left them out for an hour since I wasn't able to supervise them any longer. The cats helped babysit, too. Everyone had a great time.

 

[suliah]

I've been watching, and I just wanted to say that I might start playing with the Fayoumi breeding idea.

I may or may not have marek's in my flock (I thought I did, now I'm not so sure). I just got a batch of chickens from MPC and had 2 "rare breed random" chicks... turns out they gave me a fayoumi! I did have them all vaccinated anyway, but at least I know that one will be alright

 

[fairie]

Looking for some well seasoned advice. We just got 3 young (5 month old) chickens from an organic farmer. One is sick and I am pretty sure it is Marek's. If so will the other 2 also be infected even though they don't show any symptoms? They are all so young I would rather not invest the food and time in them if so. Plus I don't want to infect the rest of the flock.
Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Akrnaf2]

Looking for some well seasoned advice. We just got 3 young (5 month old) chickens from an organic farmer. One is sick and I am pretty sure it is Marek's. If so will the other 2 also be infected even though they don't show any symptoms? They are all so young I would rather not invest the food and time in them if so. Plus I don't want to infect the rest of the flock.
Thanks for any help you can offer.

Did you quarantined the new comers?

 

[fairie]

I have another thread running on this topic, Young Chicken Losing Mobility.

I kept the young ones separated during the day for the first week. They were in the same house with the flock at night. Then they were all out in the yard together for the next week.

But when I realized that one was really sick I separated it and now it is in a cage on it's own. Eating and being happy. It doesn't panic when I come near it like in the beginning and doesn't even try to escape like it used to.

I am concerned that I may be unknowingly making all my other chickens sick. Should I just cull all 3 young chickens and be done with it?

 

[punk00]

I'm so sorry for you and your chickens, but I do know that I have had chickens misdiagnosed with Marek's. Just a side bit of info, I used to work in poultry vaccines many years ago. Marek's is SO environmental -- it is everywhere from the hatch, that many chicks will be dead in early life.That's why immediate vaccine is required. I had two older hens "diagnosed" with this, when I am convinced they had something else. Massive treatment with Baytril and other antibiotics eventually cured some of whatever it was (Salmonella, maybe?).
They did not present with crippling growths, etc, and seemed to have more of a massive spreading condition. From what I remember, all three survived. If Marek's is everywhere from the minute they are hatched, don't you think that all would have succumbed?

I wish you and the chickens the best. Oh, definitely quarantine new birds from sick birds, even if it's not Marek's. I made that mistake myself and spread the disease (some sort of respiratory condition, or other disease to the rest of the small flock. Depending upon their age and exposure, I am worried about their symptoms -- it does sound pretty bad and like Marek's. Spendy blood tests will confirm. Let us know how it goes!

punk0000

 

[punk00]

Wow, they have a nice environment. Are they eating all of you pretty plants? I'm in the process of trying to figure out my know pullets best environment. My last few flocks ate everything in site. I would like to plant things they could rotate and eat, but I hope for not complete destruction. Any advise? BTW, nice kitty too.
Punk00

 

[rebrascora]

@fairie

If these youngsters have been in the same hen house as your other chickens or even just upwind of them then your birds will have been exposed already. If you are going to quarantine birds it really needs to be in a totally separate location as many diseases will be air born. Marek's Is spread by dander dust, so your hen house will now be contaminated (if it is Marek's and it certainly sounds like it) In my view, there would be nothing to gain by culling the young birds now. I do not isolate my Marek's affected birds as they are happier being part of a flock and out in the fresh air and sunshine whenever possible (I do provide a cage though so they are safe from bullying and the roosters' attentions) and being happy definitely improves their condition in my experience. On the other hand, stress aggravates it and can trigger an attack. Since these are new birds to your set up, it is likely that the change of environment has caused this chick to develop symptoms although it will have already been infected.

If your original hens are older than a year, then they are less susceptible to Marek's and it may even be that the outbreak will be limited to this one young pullet if the strain is not a virulent one. Keeping my fingers crossed that is the case for you.

Good luck

Barbara

 

[rebrascora]

@ ochochicas

So pleased you managed to start he integration process and that it went so smoothly. I hope it continues to go well.

 

[ochochicas]

I have another thread running on this topic, Young Chicken Losing Mobility.

I kept the young ones separated during the day for the first week. They were in the same house with the flock at night. Then they were all out in the yard together for the next week.

But when I realized that one was really sick I separated it and now it is in a cage on it's own. Eating and being happy. It doesn't panic when I come near it like in the beginning and doesn't even try to escape like it used to.

I am concerned that I may be unknowingly making all my other chickens sick. Should I just cull all 3 young chickens and be done with it?

I read your other thread and it does sound like Marek's. In my opinion, the kindest thing to do would be cull her and send her to the state lab for testing. Everyone is right; your other birds have been exposed the if it is Marek's, it is in your coop now. If the rest of your hens are old enough, they probably have some immunity and will hopefully be OK. The other two younger chicks might be OK, or they could come down with it later. You'll know soon enough. Of my chicks that hatched in November, all of them have died within 2 months of each other (the last one died yesterday and there is still one more sick girl I'll have to cull this week)

For peace of mind, do get a diagnosis from the lab. Your other two chicks can't be resold to someone. You'll have to cull them or take them back to the farm you got them from if you decided not to keep them.

Sorry for the news. You'll get through it though...tough lesson that we've all been through.