So I have a problem that I can't quite decide on, and I am just curious as to peoples thoughts. One of my original 4 hens that I got in 2009 had to be euthanized due to Marek's disease. It was confirmed through a necropsy at the Avian Vet. These original 4 hens that I got in 2009 were purchased as adults, and me being a newbie, didn't think about Marek's disease. The other 3 passed due to illness and predators, but not Marek's. In my quest for answers about Marek's disease, I contacted the Dep of Ag here and he said that where I live has a very high rate of the disease. Anyway, since then, and on the reccomondation of my vet, I have only bought chicks from hatcheries that have been vaccinated, with the exception of my Silkies. Due to the Silkies being so small, the hatchery would not vaccinate them. So I took my chances. I ordered the vaccine and vaccinated them myself as soon as I picked them up from the post office. So far, they are ok, and that was a year ago. My dilema is, I would really love to be able to hatch/raise my own chicks. I guess I could collect fertile eggs, and hatch them myself. I would have to purchase an incubator. But I was wondering, does anyone hatch out chicks of their own, knowing that Marek's is a possibility on their property? Part of me keeps thinking that it almost seems irresponsible, like letting a dog have pups on a property that has Parvo or Distemper. Unfortunately, I know way more about dogs, than I do chickens. If one were to hatch out chicks on a Marek's positive property, is it pretty much a death sentence for the chicks? I can't seem to find any info that gives me, for example, percentage of chicks that would or could get the disease, and or show symptoms.
I know that many chickens can carry the virus and not show signs. I also know that the vaccine does not keep them from getting the disease, it just keeps them from coming down with the symptoms. Please, I don't intend this to be a discussion of whether to vaccinate or not, just to get an idea of how big of a risk it would be to hatch out chicks on a Marek's positive property. Again, this is in no way meant to offend people that do not or don't believe in vaccinating. Guess I just need a sounding board, or a voice of reason.
Hope this all makes sense, lol.
Thanks
I know that many chickens can carry the virus and not show signs. I also know that the vaccine does not keep them from getting the disease, it just keeps them from coming down with the symptoms. Please, I don't intend this to be a discussion of whether to vaccinate or not, just to get an idea of how big of a risk it would be to hatch out chicks on a Marek's positive property. Again, this is in no way meant to offend people that do not or don't believe in vaccinating. Guess I just need a sounding board, or a voice of reason.
Thanks
