Rookie backyard chicken keeper...with Marek's

[Debbie292d]

Marek's doesn't pass down through eggs. Not sure where it came from, but after reading alot about it, it could be anywhere.

Not through the eggs, but ON the eggs. Mareks can be spread ON the eggs through an infected hen's dander. Then when they hatch and of course touch the shells, they are exposed. I sterilize the eggs I have shipped here just for that reason.

 

[Debbie292d]

@Airyaman I am so sorry you are going through this. Were these chicks that you hatched on your own or did they come from somewhere else? Personally I would probably cull any in that flock that are having problems that diminish their quality of life (easier said than done, I know!)

There is something that can help with Mareks, I believe it is a skullcap mushroom supplement. I think I have seen @Debbie292d recommend it on here, maybe she could give more info. I think it is something that you mix in with their food to prevent symptoms or spread. I’m sorry my mind is totally spacing out right now.

You're right. There's been a lot of research done, and it's documented in a Facebook group. About a year ago, I bought the Chinese Skullcap Baicilin on eBay, then found a different vendor through the group. It's said to be a prevention for Mareks and AI, and also stalls tumors from growing in those affected. It's not a cure. We've been mixing the prevention dosage x2 in our chicken feed for about a year. Every new chick gets it as well. I can't say if it works but we've had no AI nor Mareks here, and I feel better when people visit who have chickens.

 

[Airyaman]

Not through the eggs, but ON the eggs. Mareks can be spread ON the eggs through an infected hen's dander. Then when they hatch and of course touch the shells, they are exposed. I sterilize the eggs I have shipped here just for that reason.

The eggs were cleaned prior to incubating.