Question about Marek's disease.

[tinners204]

I have a chance on buying a big incubator. The person I'm buying it off of has Mareks disease on his property. How can I make sure that if I buy it, it does not come to my place. Or if I even can. Advice needed.

 

[tinners204]

Anyone please let me know I can buy this for cheap. Holds 400 eggs and lots of extras.

 

[keljonma]

I would suggest don't go there. But if you are going to do it. Use disinfectant. Lots of it. Everywhere. INCLUDING your shoes.


Mareks is a common virus that causes internal lesions (tumors), and kills more birds than any other disease.

It is spread through airborne feather dander so microscopic that it can spread from one farm to another via the wind, even when no human or bird contact is made between the two farms. The virus enters through the bird's respiratory tract.

 

[Bi0sC0mp]

if you do go there put it in a box or bag keep a sheet or cover over your seat in your car or truck when u get him take it to one area burn or throw out your clothes and shows and the cover you covered your seat with and what ever you brought it home in.. then bleach the heck out of the bator real good and let it dry in the sun clean every corner nook everything with bleach and warm water.. and you will be ok..

 

[chickenzoo]

Can you have him meet you somewhere close by his place so you do not have to go onto his property, like a gas station or something. i would buy some Oxine Ah or use a 1gal sprayer w/ straight bleach and when he unloads it from his truck etc put in your truck bed and bleach the heck out of it there in the gas station. Are your birds Vacc for Mareks, if so there is less worry, but i would still do what is stated above. Also wear clothes you can easily change out of on your way home, especially shoes, and keep hair pulled back. Shower before going out to your birds.

 

[horsejody]

Mareks is everywhere. It's probably already in your yard. After you pick it up, completely sanitize it with a good disinfectant. Then wash your clothes and put disinfectant on your shoes and take a shower before you handle your birds. If you take some simple steps you will be fine. Marek's is worldwide. Even if your chickens are never exposed to an infected bird, they can still get it. It is everywhere in the environment. Your best bet to protect any chicks you hatch is to vaccinate them. Yeah, the vaccine comes in an amount that vaccinates 1000 birds, but it's cheap. So what if you only use a little of it? I bought the 1000 dose lot and vaccinated less than 30 babies. The rest was tossed out, but it was still only about $14 or $15. After vaccinating make sure that the babies are completely quarantined for at least 10 days. Keep them in the house during that time. Sanitize all of your brooder equipment before they hatch, and, most of all, change your clothes and wash your hands before handling the babies if you have been outside. It's easier than it sounds, and well worth it. 10 days isn't that long.

 

[chickenzoo]

The Mareks vacc can be divided into 4 equal sections before hydrating. Divide the dilutent into 4 and only hydrate the one quarter of the Vacc in a sperate glass container, that way you get 4 seperate doses out of one. Told to me By a Vet. can be done with other vacc too.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
We did that too. I had 2 separate hatches and my neighbor had one. We split the vac tablet, but most of the vac was still wasted. Even refrigerated, that tablet has a short shelf life, but if your hatches are close together it works. Once the stuff is mixed in the solution, however, it is only good for a very short time. I think only 1/2 hour, but I'm not sure.

 

[tinners204]

Thank You everyone for the advice. I think what I will do is pass on it. I'm glad I brought this subject up because it made me remember to go to the vet and get the vac. for marek's. Thanks again. Dennis

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
I don't think vets normally carry Marek's vaccine. I ordered it from here.

http://www.twincitypoultrysupplies.com/store/

Also, don't forget to get the needle and syringe with it.