The Hardiest Chicken Breeds

[Gone]

I am looking to add to my flock and would like to know the hardiest chicken breeds to choose from. I lost 4 of my first flock of 5 to Marek's disease. Then I got 3 more. One became egg bound. I was able to remove the egg, took her to the vet and she seemed ok. A month later she died anyway. Then I had one acting like it had Marek's and I isolated her giving her vitamins and supplements. She got better but it came back a few weeks later. Then I had one acting lethargic facing the wall in the coop and not eating. I isolated her giving her extra vitamins. She ate really good after I separated her. Then, in the morning, I found her sitting straight up with her eyes closed, stiff and dead. I even send away to get my chicks that are vaccinated for Marek's before being mailed to me. I don't think it is anything I'm doing. They get their regular grain, probiotics with extra vitamins, scratch grain, meal worms, vegetables, wormed every year, Patroleum Jelly on their feet, combs and waddles and powder for fleas and insects several times a year. I have one that I've had for 4 years, a black lace Wyandotte, Brilla who has never had any health problems. Why is that? She was never vaccinated for Marek's either.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm sorry for your losses and what you're going through.

Fayoumi chickens and meat-type birds are the most resistant to Marek's.

Least resistant/most prone are silkies and Polish.

There are many here that have Marek's in their flock. There are numerous threads. This is a great article by one member. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-i-learned-to-deal-with-mareks-disease.76944/

Here's another: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/quarantine-how-i-kept-the-hens-safe-from-mareks.80099/

If you search here for Mareks, you'll find tons.

 

[Iluveggers]

Ideal Poultry has designed a “breed” called the Ideal 236 which they have bred to be much more resistant to Marek’s. They are small in size and lay white eggs. Active but not mean. Good luck!