Ye gads!! My last post vanished!
I found several sites and they say Mericks is not transmitted vertically. Whew..
Transmission and Epidemiology
The disease is highly contagious and readily transmitted among chickens. The virus matures into a fully infective, enveloped form in the epithelium of the feather follicle, from which it is released into the environment. It may survive for months in poultry house litter or dust. Dust or dander from infected chickens is particularly effective in transmission. Once the virus is introduced into a chicken flock, regardless of vaccination status, infection spreads quickly from bird to bird. Infected chickens continue to be carriers for long periods and act as sources of infectious virus. Shedding of infectious virus can be reduced, but not prevented, by prior vaccination. Unlike virulent strains of Marek's disease virus, which are highly contagious, turkey herpesvirus is not readily transmissible among chickens (although it is easily transmitted among turkeys, its natural host). Attenuated Marek's disease virus strains vary greatly in their transmissibility among chickens; the most highly attenuated are not transmitted. Marek's disease virus is not vertically transmitted.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/poultry/neoplasms/mareks_disease_in_poultry.html
I can understand why the rumor it is spread vertically can exist though. There is genetic resistance to Mericks than can be passed along. It is a mutation that happens at b21 (as I recall ) if the genes at that loci have the mutation resistance is passed down the line. However even that resistance is not 100%.
I had to review and find that part again. I take it very seriously if were to ever pass on a disease (which I have not done yet that I know of) or even suggests I might have. So I have been trying to learn what I could on Mericks today, which is why I was not here most the day.
I take sanitation and disease prevention very seriously. I have so many birds I have too.
Sorry, if I sound overly defensive about it. Even a rumor of me spreading a disease could cause me great harm. Besides the fact I would never want to hurt anyone else's birds. It is one of the reason I am on a first name basis with the USDA Vet, Besides the fact she is one smart woman and just a nice person overall.
We talked for nearly a half hour today, she believes if I had Mericks I would know it and I would have a lot of dead birds.
Anyways, on to other subjects....
My rooster taming project is not going well, I was bitten quite a few times today. I am thinking they may just be anti-social wild birds.
Ivie the "wild hawk" is gone, long gone. I did not want it here. I was not happy when it flew into the coop/shed. We kept it in the house for about a week then sent it on it's way. It is living with Judy's sister in Rochester. I kind of miss it, but I do not want it here anymore than I want a wild duck or goose here (or domesticated one for that matter)
I am thinking of giving a few roosters a chance to ride the "Chicken Scrambler circus ride" sunday. We will see how much I get done tomorrow.
