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

[1muttsfan]

Quarantine in not effective for Mareks, as some carrier birds are normal in appearance.

It can be expensive to autopsy - no freebies available in Michigan.

Some pathologists do not do a full autopsy (shame on them)

Mareks is long-lasting in the environment, and almost impossible to eliminate in the presence of organic debris (bedding, poop, dirt, porous surfaces, etc.)

Showing animals is always risky.

 

[speckledhen]

Quarantine in not effective for Mareks, as some carrier birds are normal in appearance.

It can be expensive to autopsy - no freebies available in Michigan.

Some pathologists do not do a full autopsy (shame on them)

Mareks is long-lasting in the environment, and almost impossible to eliminate in the presence of organic debris (bedding, poop, dirt, porous surfaces, etc.)

Showing animals is always risky.

I agree with all of the above.

I have been told that some necropsy are not even accurate they just decide it was mareks with out actual microscopic evaluation.
False

GA has free necropsies, however, HOWEVER, in this case, it is worth what you pay for it, not much of anything at all. I know of a case where the lab put out a preliminary diagnosis if MD, never mind that the very obvious cause of death was a huge, raging abdominal infection, noted immediately on the report. Yes, there were small tumors throughout the body, however, any raging infection can send those through the bloodstream to all parts of the body (veterinarian confirmed that).The report was highly suspect, as the flock had never had any MD symptoms whatsoever.

So, the report was given to an acquaintance who is a very well-respected and well-known veterinarian. This vet had occasion to see, hold and experience the actual birds from that flock over the years. He read the report and said the owner would not likely ever get a final diagnosis (he was correct), that the labs are really geared toward commercial flocks and when they do so many free necropsies, they tend to jump to conclusions and never truly do the required testing necessary to show their conclusion. They often make a diagnosis based on visual inspection only, and he's had to get onto them constantly about that.
His take on the report he reviewed? Complete POPPYCOCK. He said that the owner of the bird with the preliminary MD diagnosis should play the lottery, that there was more chance of winning that lottery than for her birds to have MD in the flock, knowing what he knew of the flock and reading that report, or that she should play the lottery if her birds had MD because of the astronomical odds or however he put it. So, I have zero faith in any lab for anything after that.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I've known several folks that have experienced the same, incorrect assumptions after necropsy. Even Joel Salatin, in one of his books, had lab results come back Mareks which he considered (to quote him) ludicrous.

Here is an excerpt from that chapter. See page 208 & 209.

Quote:
Pastured Poultry Profits
Author: Joel Salatin
Chapter 26 In It's Entirety
For Educational Purposes Only. No copyright infringement intended

 

[Leahs Mom]

I love this quote in there... "When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

 

[speckledhen]

I love this quote in there... "When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

O. M. G. Sue! That is exactly what I've been telling people all this time! They jump to the worst conclusion and it's even worse when a laboratory that people trust does this! The vet I consulted was so angry at the bogus diagnosis, he said the owner need not worry, that the bird did not have MD. If it had been the lab he used, he would have read them the riot act and reamed the state vet for letting it slide.

The bird in the story I mentioned was a laying hen in her prime, no lameness whatsoever. No lameness in the flocks on the property. And as the Salatin article mentioned, it's generally a disease of birds of a certain age range, which is also a clue. How the GA lab came up with MD is a mystery except they saw tiny tumors and jumped to a conclusion from a visual analysis. I will never ever trust a state lab.

 

[h2oratt]

THank you both for your input.

 

[h2oratt]

No freebies in California but it is 20 dollars for up to 2 birds which I think is quite reasonable but if you have to ship it that can cost because you need to keep it cool.

I was researching a place in Indiana and from what I could tell it was quite costly and you had to mail it in.

I can tell you most people will not even pay 20 dollars. It was free here in calif. But that changed a couple of years ago.

I don’t have a big enough operation to change shoes. I go into my area at least 4 times a day.

 

[h2oratt]

I've known several folks that have experienced the same, incorrect assumptions after necropsy. Even Joel Salatin, in one of his books, had lab results come back Mareks which he considered (to quote him) ludicrous.

Here is an excerpt from that chapter. See page 208 & 209.

Quote:
Pastured Poultry Profits
Author: Joel Salatin
Chapter 26 In It's Entirety
For Educational Purposes Only. No copyright infringement intended

Thank you for posting this. I believe nutrition is the most important thing we can do in raising anything.

 

[speckledhen]

Ha, my son had something good happen to him yesterday. I think he may see that it's not all dark and awful, post-wife. He got an early morning call from his restaurant owner saying the inspector was there, so he got up there ASAP. They got a 94 on the inspection (it's a family bar and grill type restaurant). So, guess what? He gets a $2000 bonus...that he doesn't have to share with that faithless soon-to-be ex-wife! He said he can pay off his medical bills, most of which are hers, and will have a bunch more in his pocket every month.

I never understood their finances. Her earnings never seemed to show up in their account. Together, having no kids, they made more than we ever did and we had two sons and put them through college with no debt (other than the small student loan my son secretly took out because he was spending money on her, for her before they were married...our money, not his). She must have spent every dime on running to concert venues, buying girly stuff and home decor for their over-decorated house, and whatever else she was doing. He was paying the payment on her Kia Sorento, which has 20 more months on it and is in her name. She plans to just turn it over the the dealer, but we told him to get her to sign it over to him and let him sell it back, not just dump it! I think the Blue Book on it is more than they owe so he might come out with a little cash.

 

[getaclue]

Yeah, he needs to either get her to sign it over to him, and he can continue paying, or sell it. Turning it back in could seriously impact his credit.