Positive for both Mareks and Avian Leucosis Virus.

[Tracyree]

Man. Anyone wanna start a support group? Im super bummed and it would be great to talk to others in this same crappy situation.

 

[LaFleche]

Man. Anyone wanna start a support group? Im super bummed and it would be great to talk to others in this same crappy situation.

That is indeed sad news, but don't dispair, there are several people here sharing that same fate, which might be able to help with some tips.

@azygous

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm so sorry!

There are several here going through both.

There are also a few great articles on Marek's. Here's one by @microchick

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-i-learned-to-deal-with-mareks-disease.76944/

 

[microchick]

Man. Anyone wanna start a support group? Im super bummed and it would be great to talk to others in this same crappy situation.

I know. Everybody is that gets 'the news'. But have faith. It isn't the end of the world, just a few new challenges in that rocky road called keeping a flock of chickens.

Keep in mind, that even when they look completely healthy, Chickens love to die. And they give you no warning whatsoever when they decide to cross that big rainbow bridge. You lock them up one night and they are all chipper and happy, roosting next to their favorite chicken bud, then you go out the next morning and your favorite hen, the one who was the friendliest, happiest, best layer you have ever owned is flat out dead under the same roost bar that you last saw her the night before. Then you find out your fluffy butt died from Marek's disease and oh, yay, my whole flock is infected/carriers.

The big question everyone asks, is where to from here?

Yep, I have an article out there on BYC chronicling my sojourn through Marek's land and I invite you to read it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-i-learned-to-deal-with-mareks-disease.76944/

Most of all, you aren't alone. You didn't do anything wrong. Marek's is a crappy, vicious, heartless, cruel killing machine and breaker of hearts and there are many more chicken keepers out here in Backyard Chicken Land who have been in your shoes.

We are all in this together so if you have questions, yep, ask away and we will all try to help you.

 

[microchick]

I forgot to add. Thanks for the tag, @Debbie292d!

 

[Tracyree]

I'm so sorry!

There are several here going through both.

There are also a few great articles on Marek's. Here's one by @microchick

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-i-learned-to-deal-with-mareks-disease.76944/

Thanks. I’m finding there is a lot of info on Mareks and not so much of ALV. Frustrating as my birds are vaccinated for Mareks so they shouldn’t have too hard of a time with it, but of course there’s no vaccine for ALV and I’d like to know more

 

[Tracyree]

I know. Everybody is that gets 'the news'. But have faith. It isn't the end of the world, just a few new challenges in that rocky road called keeping a flock of chickens.

Keep in mind, that even when they look completely healthy, Chickens love to die. And they give you no warning whatsoever when they decide to cross that big rainbow bridge. You lock them up one night and they are all chipper and happy, roosting next to their favorite chicken bud, then you go out the next morning and your favorite hen, the one who was the friendliest, happiest, best layer you have ever owned is flat out dead under the same roost bar that you last saw her the night before. Then you find out your fluffy butt died from Marek's disease and oh, yay, my whole flock is infected/carriers.

The big question everyone asks, is where to from here?

Yep, I have an article out there on BYC chronicling my sojourn through Marek's land and I invite you to read it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-i-learned-to-deal-with-mareks-disease.76944/

Most of all, you aren't alone. You didn't do anything wrong. Marek's is a crappy, vicious, heartless, cruel killing machine and breaker of hearts and there are many more chicken keepers out here in Backyard Chicken Land who have been in your shoes.

We are all in this together so if you have questions, yep, ask away and we will all try to help you.

Thank you, very kind to say I didn’t do anything wrong. Helps to hear that. My girls are vaccinated for marek’s so that’s good. Of course ALV there is not vaccine. Ugh. and apparently not a lot of info compared to mareks.

Off to read your article. Thank you.

 

[microchick]

Having your flock vaccinated is a big plus but as you are finding out, not an absolute. Just like being resistant, doesn't mean immune.

I wish I knew more about ALV but unfortunately, I don't. I never had a necropsy done on my birds. My husband is a retired eye doctor and he was able to get a diagnosis for me by examining one of my roosters with ocular Marek's disease with a hand held microscope. Since Marek's is a form of Avian Herpes, it presents in the interior eye the same as human ocular herpes presents in people.

As I understand it, it can present pretty much like MD, in that it produces visceral tumors.

I dealt with all three forms of the disease (MD) Ocular, Visceral and Neurological.

I called it the trifecta of chicken keeper misery.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you, very kind to say I didn’t do anything wrong. Helps to hear that. My girls are vaccinated for marek’s so that’s good. Of course ALV there is not vaccine. Ugh. and apparently not a lot of info compared to mareks.

Off to read your article. Thank you.

My slim knowledge of H5N1 is to separate affected ones, sterilize everything, give them daily vitamin support, and get a sick or deceased one tested. Unfortunately, if found positive, it should be reported if using a private company to test. A public one will most likely report it themselves. Usually, they can't be saved though, and it spreads very easily. One article about it.

There are two sides to this, but I would report it. It helps the state know where the infections are so nearby farmers and chicken keepers can be alerted to quarantine their livestock and birds. Also, the more reports, the more $$ obtained by or allocated by the states for disease research for possible cures or vaccinations.

 

[LaFleche]

My slim knowledge of H5N1 is to separate affected ones, sterilize everything, give them daily vitamin

I suppose you mean ALV and Marek's Disease @Debbie282d and not Avian Influenza Virus AIV?