Rooster with mass in neck, possible tumor, thymus response -- Marek's

[Nambroth]

I had concerns that it would kill my lawns, but I have not seen any plants dies from the program I used.

But, saying that it is designed to kill germs, bacteria and virus's, good or bad.

My concern is not just the plants, but the biological, insect, mycelium life, etc. My yard is also sidehill and the runoff ends up in a wetland. The chances of me killing Marek's in my soil completely are remote, so I don't see a reason to saturate the ground with any sort of chemical.

The chickens killed my lawn in the backyard a long time ago.

My 7 chickens would have a lot of work to do to kill my 14 acres! They killed off everything in their run, though.

 

[seminolewind]

Namroth, you're very lucky with all that land. The one thing I saw with my lawn is that they ate the weeds first. I had a weed free lawn. You can't saturate the ground with a chemical to kill Marek's. But I saturate the dirt in my pen hoping it makes a difference. Sometimes we do anything we can to hope it does something.

 

[Nambroth]

Namroth, you're very lucky with all that land. The one thing I saw with my lawn is that they ate the weeds first. I had a weed free lawn. You can't saturate the ground with a chemical to kill Marek's. But I saturate the dirt in my pen hoping it makes a difference. Sometimes we do anything we can to hope it does something.

Luck had nothing to do with it... a lot of hard work and fighting tooth and nail did, haha!!

I understand what you are saying. It's why I saturated every surface in my coop with Odoban this spring in a very deep clean-out. I don't think for a moment I am eliminating Marek's from my property... but if I am even just reducing the amount of virus in the area, that is better than nothing. Maybe it will be less likely to get picked up on the wind or by a passerine bird this way. I will do anything I can within reason to make sure I don't spread it.

 

[seminolewind]

I feel the same way, and that's been always recommended. Keeping things clean and disinfected does cut down on the concentration of Marek's in the environment.

 

[Dowie]

Nambroth, I have a piece of useless triva floating around in my head re: Derp's stone-eating. I know there is an actual term in veterniary surgery for chooks who eat inappropriate things and then get ill as a result. Apparently it is a behavioural issue, and not to do with deficiencies etc. What these chooks tend to eat though are not stones, but even worse - clothesepegs with bits of steel in them etc. But I wonder if Derp has gone Derpy with the stones, and the neck problem is a seperate medical issue?

 

[Tomtommom]

Nambroth, I have a piece of useless triva floating around in my head re: Derp's stone-eating. I know there is an actual term in veterniary surgery for chooks who eat inappropriate things and then get ill as a result. Apparently it is a behavioural issue, and not to do with deficiencies etc. What these chooks tend to eat though are not stones, but even worse - clothesepegs with bits of steel in them etc. But I wonder if Derp has gone Derpy with the stones, and the neck problem is a seperate medical issue?

It's called pica. Happens in humans too. Some folks eat soap or paper.

 

[Deerling]

Quote: It's common (well, relatively) during pregnancy - eating dirt, sucking on pennies and smelling nail polish are some others

 

[Nambroth]

Nambroth, I have a piece of useless triva floating around in my head re: Derp's stone-eating. I know there is an actual term in veterniary surgery for chooks who eat inappropriate things and then get ill as a result. Apparently it is a behavioural issue, and not to do with deficiencies etc. What these chooks tend to eat though are not stones, but even worse - clothesepegs with bits of steel in them etc. But I wonder if Derp has gone Derpy with the stones, and the neck problem is a seperate medical issue?

That is entirely possible. We are observing her habits and droppings to see how severe it gets and if it continues past the time when she seems better (with the neck issue). Thanks!!

 

[shadow rabbit10]

My chickens always poop out gravel, but I think it's because they use gravel as grit.

 

[notinoz2007]

i havent read the derp thread in a while and am truly sorry for the loss of trousers, i loved him and didnt even know him so i can only imagine the place he holds in your heart nambroth. you write so eloquently of your pets that we all become attached, they are like our friends as well.

no pro to the mareks disease myself i have read, and personally know a chicken owner who practices, having a turkey in your chicken yard helps with the control of mareks. it is not a cure, and not all people are able to own or even want to own a turkey. i found the information fascinating, as i find turkeys themselves fascinating - and any reason to own one is a good reason in my book. unfortunately i dont have the room *sigh
one resource lists having a turkey as a prevention method, along with good sanitation, ventilation, breed for resistance, vaccinate chicks and brood chicks separately from flock for 5 month http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf

just information i felt the need to share. perhaps you are able/want to consider a turkey sometime in the future. my friends hand raised tom is most amazing. i love to dance with him when i visit her place.