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.

 

[Airyaman]

I just obtained some Chinese skullcap root extract.

Anyone have a clue how I would go about giving this to them? Says it is 100% dissolvable in hot water.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NT6MFGJ

 

[Slothinc]

I just obtained some Chinese skullcap root extract.

Anyone have a clue how I would go about giving this to them? Says it is 100% dissolvable in hot water.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NT6MFGJ

I believe that the powder is mixed with their food - maybe the chart that @Debbie292d posted can help to show the correct ratio? I think you could also put the powder into pill capsules and have them swallow it.

 

[Airyaman]

I believe that the powder is mixed with their food - maybe the chart that @Debbie292d posted can help to show the correct ratio? I think you could also put the powder into pill capsules and have them swallow it.

I did a search and found the dosage, now to figure out how to feed it to them. I gave a boy (yeah, why am I trying to save that guy?) a mixture of ~450g of the extract, greek yogurt and the mini pellet feed and he gulped it all down. The other two, no dice. The boy is in the worse shape, he's staggering and falling alot, so not sure how far I'm going to try with him before it's better to end it. He is not displaying the typical paralysis but I'm certain it's Marek's related.

The two girls are the ones I have to figure out how to get them the dose. 450g didn't look like much in a small bowl but it probably makes a large capsule. That will be hard to get them to swallow.

It says it dissolves in hot water and to some extent it does, but you have to make sure they drink it all and that will be difficult.

 

[Airyaman]

Oops, the stuff I bought is weak . Have to give more! Getting the Maple Leaf Sciences brand is a little tough.