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

[KAT Bird]

That's where my Murray McMurray pullets came from. So far, so good. I bought some as started pullets and some as juveniles (I think they were around 8 weeks). I kept the juveniles in my house until they were around 30 weeks (not sure I could handle that again!) and the pullets I kept separated for about a month before I put them in the coop with my Marek's survivors. The started pullets have been out there since November and the juveniles went out about a month ago. All are doing great (fingers crossed) and laying eggs like crazy. We had one hiccup with a EE that got pecked in the head (as I later found out from the vet) she couldn't use her third eyelid on one side so she kept her eye shut and she stopped eating, became lethargic. I immediately thought "Oh no...Marek's" but as it turns out she just took a rather hard peck to the skull in some of the pecking order sorting out. 24 hrs after giving her Metacam for inflammation she was completely back to normal. Within 72 hours she was back outside. No other issues with them. If you want more of a color variety, contact him directly. Otherwise, they will likely all be brown. I still have his email address if you need it.

Sorry to hear about your Silkie.

 

[schnebbles]

thanks. he's supposed to send me pics tomorrow, I told him I like the light wheaton color if he has any. Anything unique.

 

[KAT Bird]

thanks.  he's supposed to send me pics tomorrow, I told him I like the light wheaton color if he has any.  Anything unique.  

I purchased two brahmas, Australorp, buff Orphington,Wyandotte, cuckoo maran and four EE's. The EE's were all brown but they are super sweet.

 

[Nambroth]

Does anyone have contact info / a website for the guy that raises the Murray McMurray vaccinated chicks and sells them? I have a full coop right now but I like to know my options for the future. At this point I would rather pay the expense for the bird up front than pay it at the vet later just to find out the worst....

 

[schnebbles]

Kat - cute birds! I can't wait to see mine. They are going to be giant to me, lol! I'm used to 2# birds.

Nambroth - http://www.clabornfamilyfarms.com/ - His name is Joe. He's in TX. birds are $18, it's the shipping that is a lot for me. to me, $18 a bird is fine, but that's probably since I only have a few. It's going to be 100 for 2 including shipping to ohio

 

[BigECarter]

Of my 9 MM chicks, only one shows symptoms of Marek's. She has recovered from her paralysis and is back in the coop but is getting picked on rather severely. Wouldn't be surprised to see her regress from the stress. But, she made it very clear that she wanted to be back in the coop. Hopefully things will get better and the bully will get bored of picking on her.

I still might order a rooster from TX...

 

[Nambroth]

Thank you for the link. I've bookmarked it for the future. I'm in NY so my shipping would probably be similarly high... again it is worth it for me to give them the best chance. Stupid disease!

 

[schnebbles]

I get so angry anymore a Mareks. I just want to punch something. all of our beautiful chickens...I'm not sure sometimes if I'm more sad or more mad since it took ALL of my pullets from last summer. every single one. I have my 2 roos, I keep hoping they are ok.

It's worth it to me, no doubt. I got my newest silkie pullet vaccinated and she was 9 months old so I feel good about her. But I sure loved my other ones and miss them.

 

[Nambroth]

I agree. There are other diseases that are arguably worse and pretty much require a cull, but generally most of them come from biosecurity blunders. People with closed flocks can get Marek's, though. This can come in from anywhere so there is little defense except vaccination, genetics that build good resistance, and good luck.

 

[KAT Bird]

I get so angry anymore a Mareks.  I just want to punch something.  all of our beautiful chickens...I'm not sure sometimes if I'm more sad or more mad since it took ALL of my pullets from last summer.  every single one.  I have my 2 roos, I keep hoping they are ok.  

It's worth it to me, no doubt.  I got my newest silkie pullet vaccinated and she was 9 months old so I feel good about her.  But I sure loved my other ones and miss them.  

I know how you feel. It is a terrible disease. Just when you think it might be over, another one starts acting strangely. I've lost seven out of nine and I miss them all.