The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[h2oratt]

what do you guys know about Mareks. It sounds like it is everywhere. I quarantine my new chickens but how do know? it says it doesnt affect them until 6-9 months.

 

[1muttsfan]

Well that's a can of worms right there.

 

[1muttsfan]

I still think this is one of the most comprehensive commentaries
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[speckledhen]

The link Mary posted is good. There is a long incubation period with Marek's so a normal quarantine would not necessarily show anything. It's always a crapshoot buying birds from anyone. Mareks is one reason that, when I see a property for sale that has had chickens on it or advertises that there is a chicken coop already there, I skip right over it. That is the last thing I want because of diseases that could be lurking, including and especially Mareks Disease.

 

[h2oratt]

I read that FAQ. It is good but it doesn't really help me decide what to do. I have never vaccinated for anything because I dont believe it except for puppy shots or baby shots.
We have an older farm property but when we bought I had no thoughts of getting chickens. It says if I have a chicken dx with it I shouldn't sell or give away my chickens.
Really how do you how from anyone. Most people just cull. They dont spend the money to find out what they had.

 

[speckledhen]

I read that FAQ. It is good but it doesn't really help me decide what to do. I have never vaccinated for anything because I dont believe it except for puppy shots or baby shots.
We have an older farm property but when we bought I had no thoughts of getting chickens. It says if I have a chicken dx with it I shouldn't sell or give away my chickens.
Really how do you how from anyone. Most people just cull. They dont spend the money to find out what they had.

I don't vaccinate mine, either. Yes, if you have Marek's in your flock, it would be unethical to pass that on to someone else. I agree that most folks have zero idea what was wrong with their chicken and just cull it, most have zero idea about how disease presents itself. Mareks is a disease of younger chickens, Lymphoid Leukosis of older ones, generally, and can have similar symptoms. The truth is you can't buy from just anyone and you must ask questions of a seller. Sure, they could lie, but you'd have to stick with folks you do trust and who knows chickens, including diseases.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see a few Mareks birds, generally one a season or less. I haven't had a big problem with it. I believe I originally brought it in with my swap meet birds that I bought long time ago. I do keep turkeys which is said to give chickens immunity from a less viral strain.

We cull when one is showing symptoms as they can shed the virus, so keeping them around can be a bad thing.

I read that FAQ. It is good but it doesn't really help me decide what to do. I have never vaccinated for anything because I dont believe it except for puppy shots or baby shots.
We have an older farm property but when we bought I had no thoughts of getting chickens. It says if I have a chicken dx with it I shouldn't sell or give away my chickens.
Really how do you how from anyone. Most people just cull. They dont spend the money to find out what they had.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't vaccinate mine, either. Yes, if you have Marek's in your flock, it would be unethical to pass that on to someone else. I agree that most folks have zero idea what was wrong with their chicken and just cull it, most have zero idea about how disease presents itself. Mareks is a disease of younger chickens, Lymphoid Leukosis of older ones, generally, and can have similar symptoms. The truth is you can't buy from just anyone and you must ask questions of a seller. Sure, they could lie, but you'd have to stick with folks you do trust and who know chickens, including diseases.

I have only seen symptoms in younger birds under 5 months. I have never seen an adult bird show symptoms. I don't know for sure that it's always Mareks, but when a single bird suddenly he problems walking in a group of young birds I assume that's what it is.

 

[h2oratt]

Yes, I understand that. I guess I am glad that the eggs and meat are still edible.
I guess my goal of raising show barred rocks is over. I guess I should be glad I didnt spend alot of money on birds. I dont think I will vaccinate the chicks I hatch. I have had more EE on order from Sandhill. They wont vaccinate either.

 

[h2oratt]

I see a few Mareks birds, generally one a season or less. I haven't had a big problem with it. I believe I originally brought it in with my swap meet birds that I bought long time ago. I do keep turkeys which is said to give chickens immunity from a less viral strain.

We cull when one is showing symptoms as they can shed the virus, so keeping them around can be a bad thing.

so do you sell your birds? do you tell them you have Mareks on your property?