Sad day for us

[theoldchick]

 

[Weeg]

As soon as i took her to the vet, we separated her into the garage and sanitized the entire coop and run. I’m keeping a very watchful eye on the other birds. Mereks is more common in chicks 10-25 weeks of age but older birds can still get it. My hens are almost a year old, and i’ve read so much about it. They could be carriers but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will show symptoms

It lives in the soil as well. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm also sorry to say that is very likely your other hens have it. I believe Mareks is something you can get tests done for. Talk to your local avian vet, or look at your state lab to see if you can get tests done on a live bird. I think that @charlotte-and-the-bees got testing done on a live bird through her vet after loosing a bird to Mareks like symptoms. Not sure if it varies per area, or?

 

[CKfarm22]

It lives in the soil as well. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm also sorry to say that is very likely your other hens have it. I believe Mareks is something you can get tests done for. Talk to your local avian vet, or look at your state lab to see if you can get tests done on a live bird. I think that @charlotte-and-the-bees got testing done on a live bird through her vet after loosing a bird to Mareks like symptoms. Not sure if it varies per area, or?

I’m going to see. They have most likely been in contact from it beforehand considering it can be spread from 5 miles away. Doesn’t mean they will have symptoms though

 

[Weeg]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Its so, so hard to loose them. I lost a hen to ALV, which is similar to Mareks. The loss is so hard, but you will learn so much from her. You did everything you could, I hope you can find peace in knowing you did the right thing. You ended her suffering when you saw fit, not everyone is capable of doing that.
It gets better. It feels like it never will, but time heals all wounds. I'm sending hugs and hoping you can find comfort in finding closure for the rest of your flock.
RIP Buff

 

[CKfarm22]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Its so, so hard to loose them. I lost a hen to ALV, which is similar to Mareks. The loss is so hard, but you will learn so much from her. You did everything you could, I hope you can find peace in knowing you did the right thing. You ended her suffering when you saw fit, not everyone is capable of doing that.
It gets better. It feels like it never will, but time heals all wounds. I'm sending hugs and hoping you can find comfort in finding closure for the rest of your flock.
RIP Buff

thank you

 

[Weeg]

I’m going to see. They have most likely been in contact from it beforehand considering it can be spread from 5 miles away. Doesn’t mean they will have symptoms though

Exactly. They could carry it without showing symptoms. Boost their immune systems to reduce the risk, thats what I do for my flock. Did you confirm Mareks with a vet, or are you self diagnosing?

 

[CKfarm22]

Exactly. They could carry it without showing symptoms. Boost their immune systems to reduce the risk, thats what I do for my flock. Did you confirm Mareks with a vet, or are you self diagnosing?

The vet i went to is specific to avian and reptiles and he said he’s seen it a lot with backyard flocks. She had pretty much all the symptoms of mereks so he confirmed without taking blood work. How did you boost your flocks immune systems?

 

[Weeg]

The vet i went to is specific to avian and reptiles and he said he’s seen it a lot with backyard flocks. She had pretty much all the symptoms of mereks so he confirmed without taking blood work. How did you boost your flocks immune systems?

I'm sorry.
I add electrolytes to the water, going to make my own soon with Oregano powder and Spinach powder included. Oregano is really really great for the immune system. Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic.
I also try to feed lots of antioxidants, Organic corn/soy free feed that I ferment, probiotics. Probiotics are really good for the immune system since the largest part is the gut.
Pumpkin, rose hips, echinacea, Turkey tail mush room and other mushroom blends, are all really great immune boosters. Oh! Ginger too.

 

[CKfarm22]

I'm sorry.
I add electrolytes to the water, going to make my own soon with Oregano powder and Spinach powder included. Oregano is really really great for the immune system. Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic.
I also try to feed lots of antioxidants, Organic corn/soy free feed that I ferment, probiotics. Probiotics are really good for the immune system since the largest part is the gut.
Pumpkin, rose hips, echinacea, Turkey tail mush room and other mushroom blends, are all really great immune boosters. Oh! Ginger too.

What electrolytes and probiotics do you use? I think i’m going to try this out so they have better immune systems

 

[Weeg]

What electrolytes and probiotics do you use? I think i’m going to try this out so they have better immune systems

I currently use electrolytes from the feed store, but I'm going to start making my own with Oregano powder. It find it annoying that the first ingredient on the list of most feed store electrolytes is salt. I will sell my electrolyte mix on my Etsy shop when I get the ingredients, so if your interested I think I'll have that available for a reasonable price.
For probiotics I use whatever is at the feed store.