Please help, not sure what the problem is...

[TheYLWFlock]

None of those are particularly susceptible to Marek's, but that doesn't of course mean that they will not get it.
You need to give some consideration to why you are getting more hens when you choose breed.... ie what your goal is? You will be exposing these new birds to risk and the new birds are also a risk to your existing flock, so it is important to think about why you are taking that risk.
Do you want lots of egg production? Different coloured birds or different coloured eggs, or birds that will go broody and raise you some chicks, or even "lap dog" pet chickens? Will you be free ranging or keeping them penned? These are all considerations when adding to your flock.
Out of those you mentioned the D'uccles are similar to pekins (bantam cochins) and will probably go broody and make good pets. Leghorns are flighty birds with quirky personalities and don't care to be touched but are usually the first to greet you and see what you have for them. They do better with more space but be prepared for an egg hunt if you free range! They lay very well and the brown ones are very pretty. I've only had exchequer Leghorns which don't lay as well but I like their black and white flecks. Of the sex links you mentioned, Black Stars will probably outlive ISA Browns which are sadly particularly prone to reproductive ailments once they get beyond 2 years old, but they are lovely friendly birds. I really liked the Black Stars that I have come across and I've even had them go broody and raise chicks on occasion. I haven't had any since I got Marek's though. I don't have any direct experience with EEs. I think they are a bit of an American "invention" and I'm not sure we have them here as such.

Ok good to know, that at least the aren’t particularly susceptible.
The reason we want more is probably for more egg production (we are only getting only like 5 eggs a week) along with variety of egg colour and we just love chickens. We have the space and two more chickens would complete the set. There was a time when we had six and I just really liked that, it just seems little with four. Obviously if there is just too much risk involved in getting more birds, we won’t do it.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Are Standard Cochins the same as bantam Cochins in the way that they are less susceptible to Mareks? Sorry for so many questions be just been doing lots of research around here looking for Cochins.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Are Standard Cochins the same as bantam Cochins in the way that they are less susceptible to Mareks? Sorry for so many questions be just been doing lots of research around here looking for Cochins.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Hey guys, to any off you that might still be alerted about this thread, update here: all good so far. No more deaths or injuries pr signs of Mareks, I’m hoping tings will co to use to be that way. Come spring I’m gong to do another wash down of the coop with Virkon amd all that Jazz. I’ve had a really hard time finding bantam Cochins, and I don’t know about any other breeds we could possibly get. We have about 20 square feet in the coop and 60 square feet in a covered run, and we have 4 chickens, two standard, two bantam. Thinking we could comfortably fit two more? They free France lots and I make sure they are stimulated. Any other breed suggestions? Thanks all.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hey guys, to any off you that might still be alerted about this thread, update here: all good so far. No more deaths or injuries pr signs of Mareks, I’m hoping tings will co to use to be that way. Come spring I’m gong to do another wash down of the coop with Virkon amd all that Jazz. I’ve had a really hard time finding bantam Cochins, and I don’t know about any other breeds we could possibly get. We have about 20 square feet in the coop and 60 square feet in a covered run, and we have 4 chickens, two standard, two bantam. Thinking we could comfortably fit two more? They free France lots and I make sure they are stimulated. Any other breed suggestions? Thanks all.

Glad to hear all is going well!

20sq ft coop space is fairly tight for 6 birds a lot depends on the breed(s) and how well they get along.
I don't know what breeds may be more resistant to Marek's. I think @rebrascora had mentioned some, but I can't remember. Hopefully she will chime in.

 

[rebrascora]

Egyptian Fayoumis are the only ones that are reputed to be resistant to Marek's. My experience was that my bantam cochins (pekins) didn't seem to be affected but that may well just be my local genetics or the strain of Marek's I have. I have certainly read of other people here in the UK in recent months having problems with Marek's symptoms in their Pekins so my experience may not be repeatable elsewhere. I believe @microchick had particular Marek's problems with Welsummers and Orpingtons I think but she sourced some birds from local Amish that have appeared to be reasonably resistant to it so far.

 

[microchick]

Very correct, @rebrascora. Apologies for the delay in responding. I've been taking a break to regenerate both physically and emotionally. Physically from dealing with the 5 different degenerative bone conditions I've been diagnosed with and emotionally from losing two much beloved canine furry children in 6 weeks time, one to disease before Christmas and one to old age two weeks ago and on top of that the loss of two friends, the same, one to disease the other to old age. Sometimes life happens and even though you might hate the road it has taken you on, you have to see the trip through.

On to Marek's. Yes, that is exactly what I discovered in my journey with Marek's disease. The Orpingtons have been highly susceptible to the strain of Marek's that is on our property/area. And while the Welly roosters and Welly/Buff O cross roosters have been susceptible, I have only lost one hen to the disease. My surviving cross bred rooster is showing signs of joint problems in his feet that I am beginning to suspect is MD related as my first diagnosis lead to Gout He did not respond to the cherry treatment that was advised as a treatment and the joints in his toes remain swollen and red (no bumblefoot evident).

My locally raised OEGB cross birds (the only breeds I'm sure of there are OEGB and Cochin. I've seen some recessive genes from pastel green egg producers....maybe Easter Egger?.....to Barred Rock pop up. The birds are larger than standard bantams and smaller than standard sized birds. Excellent layers) have only seen two or three losses from that flock of 50 birds that are MD related, one 9 week old from classic Marek's paralysis and one 9 month old rooster to sudden death. The third may have been from Coccidia so that is a big maybe but probably not.

The pattern appeared to me that the locally developed backyard flock type of farm chicken that are raised by the local Amish farmers are superior and more resistant to the strain of Marek's I'm dealing with.

I have my first Fayoumi hen who is a beautiful bird and thriving and am looking forward to adding 6 more hens and cockerels to the flock in April when the chicks arrive. I will not cross breed the Buff O's under any circumstances. I see only disaster if I do that due to the general susceptibility the breed has in general to Marek's and the high loss of hens and roosters I've had in that breed.
But, I am going to expose my remaining resistant 5 year old Welly hens to a rooster this fall and see if I cannot produce a few resistant cross bred chicks from them. Otherwise I will cross breed them with my Bantam crosses to further enhance their resistance and add some fresh genes to the pool.

As for other resistant birds I've been told that Naked Neck Turkens have exhibited a degree of resistance to the disease. I know if you google 'Chicken breeds resistant to Marek's' you will get links that will lead to discussions of that very subject.