Suspected Marek's and young pullets

[minou33]

Does anyone have advice/experience with Marek's in their flock?

I now suspect my 2 year-old hens may have Marek's (they were purchased unvaccinated as chicks from a homestead supply store). I lost two recently from my original flock of 5, however, my vet didn't push having a necroscopy. I decided to get some new chicks this season. The new additions are 9 weeks now (also unvaccinated) and have been isolated from the other flock...but I'm sure there's been some cross-contamination and exposure. I have only recently learned about the different ways Marek's manifest and how common it (esp. in unvaccinated birds). My new pullets, luckily, are healthy but I had been planning to integrate them into my coop with my original flock.

My questions are:

1. Is there a reliable test for Marek's with a live flock?
2.If we discover that we do have Marek's--what should I do with the pullets? Should I construct an entirely different coop for them? Vaccinate them (at 9 weeks?)

TY!!!!

 

[coach723]

For testing of a live bird see post #9 here, there are links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/marek’s-test.1278708/
It would need to be a bird that is showing symptoms in order to know for sure if Marek's is in your flock. If you tested a non-symptomatic bird and it came back negative, it would only mean that bird didn't have it at the time of the test, not neccessarily that the flock is clear. Most of the time it's confirmed by necropsy still, looking for the tumors.
For vaccinating birds, the vaccine needs to be given at one day old and they cannot be exposed to the virus for at least 2 weeks in order for the vaccine to have any chance of working. So IF you have Marek's then the 9 week olds have most likely been exposed already. Not all birds will develop symptoms, not all birds will necessarily die, it depends on what strain(s) are present, genetics, individual immune systems. Some strains are more virulent than others, mortality can vary a lot. Marek's is highly transmissible and it is spread widely by feather dander from infected birds. And feather dander is everywhere. It can be carried up to 5 miles on the wind.
If you get another sick bird, or lose one to something you are not sure of, I would recommend getting a necropsy. There are some other things that can cause Marek's like symptoms, so it's best to know for sure what you may be dealing with so that you can make informed choices.

 

[minou33]

For testing of a live bird see post #9 here, there are links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/marek’s-test.1278708/
It would need to be a bird that is showing symptoms in order to know for sure if Marek's is in your flock. If you tested a non-symptomatic bird and it came back negative, it would only mean that bird didn't have it at the time of the test, not neccessarily that the flock is clear. Most of the time it's confirmed by necropsy still, looking for the tumors.
For vaccinating birds, the vaccine needs to be given at one day old and they cannot be exposed to the virus for at least 2 weeks in order for the vaccine to have any chance of working. So IF you have Marek's then the 9 week olds have most likely been exposed already. Not all birds will develop symptoms, not all birds will necessarily die, it depends on what strain(s) are present, genetics, individual immune systems. Some strains are more virulent than others, mortality can vary a lot. Marek's is highly transmissible and it is spread widely by feather dander from infected birds. And feather dander is everywhere. It can be carried up to 5 miles on the wind.
If you get another sick bird, or lose one to something you are not sure of, I would recommend getting a necropsy. There are some other things that can cause Marek's like symptoms, so it's best to know for sure what you may be dealing with so that you can make informed choices.

Thank you SO much! I do have a symptomatic bird, but she may hang on for a while longer. She's still eating for now, so I don't want to rush euthanasia. Now that I know live testing is available I will look into that!

Do you suggest continuing to isolate the pullets? They are getting a bit big for their temporary living situation. It sounds as if you are saying that it's so easily transmissible anyway that there may not be any reason to separate.

 

[Shadrach]

These may help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-i-learned-to-deal-with-mareks-disease.76944/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[coach723]

Personally I think the odds are that they've been exposed. It's so easily carried by air, on clothing, shoes, etc that in backyard situations it's basically impossible to be truly biosecure.
I've raised chicks with broodies and in brooders, whatever the strains are that I have, I've had symptomatic birds from both groups. I do feel like the longer they go before exposure it's probably better, give the immune system time to develop some. But do what you are comfortable with. Until you have it confirmed by testing or necropsy, it's hard to know what the best choice is. If you are dealing with Marek's then the odds are good that they've already been exposed.
@microchick 's article linked above is very similar to my experience, most of mine have been occular symptoms and some visceral. She has purchased vaccinated birds going forward, and Egyptian Fayoumi's which are supposed to have natural resistance to the virus. In my case it has thus far been managable, losses have been sporadic and not a huge percentage of each hatch. I've chosen not to vaccinate (at this point), but rather to try to breed for resistance, and fayoumi's are on my wish list, just haven't found any close enough to purchase yet without shipping. My postal service is abysmal and I don't ship birds as it is highly likely to result in getting them DOA.

 

[BellaM]

For testing of a live bird see post #9 here, there are links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/marek’s-test.1278708/
It would need to be a bird that is showing symptoms in order to know for sure if Marek's is in your flock. If you tested a non-symptomatic bird and it came back negative, it would only mean that bird didn't have it at the time of the test, not neccessarily that the flock is clear. Most of the time it's confirmed by necropsy still, looking for the tumors.
For vaccinating birds, the vaccine needs to be given at one day old and they cannot be exposed to the virus for at least 2 weeks in order for the vaccine to have any chance of working. So IF you have Marek's then the 9 week olds have most likely been exposed already. Not all birds will develop symptoms, not all birds will necessarily die, it depends on what strain(s) are present, genetics, individual immune systems. Some strains are more virulent than others, mortality can vary a lot. Marek's is highly transmissible and it is spread widely by feather dander from infected birds. And feather dander is everywhere. It can be carried up to 5 miles on the wind.
If you get another sick bird, or lose one to something you are not sure of, I would recommend getting a necropsy. There are some other things that can cause Marek's like symptoms, so it's best to know for sure what you may be dealing with so that you can make informed choices.

Hi there, what other things can cause Mareks like symptoms?
I've just had to cull a silkie (approx. 4 mths old) that displayed symptoms that led me to Mareks. I'm hopeful that it isn't...

 

[coach723]

Other things that can sometimes cause symptoms that resemble Marek's are Lice/Mites/internal parasites, egg binding, vitamin deficiencies, sometimes lymphoid Leukosis (another virus that causes tumors), and in silkies and polish breeds they can have head injuries or water on the brain due to the vaulted skull that can cause neurological symptoms that might mimic Marek's. When you suspect Marek's and have not yet had it confirmed in your flock, the best thing to do is have the bird necropsied. Then you will know for sure if you are dealing with Marek's or not.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[BellaM]

TTha

Other things that can sometimes cause symptoms that resemble Marek's are Lice/Mites/internal parasites, egg binding, vitamin deficiencies, sometimes lymphoid Leukosis (another virus that causes tumors), and in silkies and polish breeds they can have head injuries or water on the brain due to the vaulted skull that can cause neurological symptoms that might mimic Marek's. When you suspect Marek's and have not yet had it confirmed in your flock, the best thing to do is have the bird necropsied. Then you will know for sure if you are dealing with Marek's or not.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Thanks for the feedback

 

[lisa69]

I vaccinate bird of all ages at home . RAL labs has PCR testing, you can do without a vet. The kit is collection kit is 10 for 3 birds. The mareks test is 20 but you should test for AVL too. plus you have to pay for overnight shipping. If you can't draw blood you can collect by clipping a toenail short.