UPDATE: Does Mareks diagnosis mean end of raising chickens? (Post 22: The remaining hens are ok!)

[Kuntry Klucker]

I am so sorry to hear about your flock. That is heartbreaking. I do not know much about Mareks Disease but I do hope
that someone with a good education chimes in and gives you the info that you need. All I can do is offer sympothy and
hope that you can go on with raising chickens. hugs to you.

 

[rbaker0345]

Your vet sounds kinda nutty. Mareks is a virus, its out there, everywhere. Usually, chickens don't ever get sick from it, only genetically predisposed birds get sick from it. Try contacting someone at Cornell university's vet school poultry science department. I'm sure there's a pH.D or a fellow who would be willing to discuss the disease ecology of Marek's with you and comfort you about continuing to own chickens.

 

[jmlorton]

i think the reason he told you that is because in vet school you are taught if chickens get sick especially with something like mareks you cull them all clean out and start over but that is for production facilities not backyard chickens. everyone has given good advice it is everywhere and always will be you just have to stick with it and keep at it dont give up just yet.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
I feel that if you do not plan on selling chicks, birds or hatching eggs, you can continue to raise the ones you have. If you plan on selling anything, then you should cull the flock and wait and start over. Regardless of whether many flocks have it, those of use that do not, would not want to introduce it to our flocks.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I'm really sorry about your chicks + for Marek's. If the chicks were together, they are all exposed. I just went thru the nightmare myself. All caused by buying ONE chicken in 4 years, the rest were hatched. Two years after that hen, I had ten chicks, 8 weeks+ old, die one by one of Marek's.

It's too late for your property, it's already been exposed if the chick had it. If you want more chickens, you will have to buy vaccinated chicks that have not been exposed to any chicken. Or hatch your own. Then keep them absolutely separate for 1-2 months, do not cross contaminate with your hands or clothes, etc. Many people in Europe believe in a 2nd vaccination 2 weeks after the first.

It's the only thing you can do. And disinfect everything you can to cut down on available virus in the environment.

People can say their chicks/chickens were never exposed, but they can't know unless a necropsy was performed on a dead chicken they had. There is no other test. And symptoms can be vague.

 

[naakte]

I wouldnt take any chances sweetie i would clean it up and let it set for 24 months. do your chickens free range? you can bring stuff in on your tires . good luck

 

[happima]

Just got the info today in the mail from the vet. Here's the message...

"We also reviewed flock management issues with Marek's, namely an "all-in, all-out" policy -- no new birds should be introduced and remaining birds should either be culled or allowed to live out their lives (and if clinical signs are seen, euthanized or treated symptomatically). Marek's is highly contagious, adn the virus is highly resistant in the environment, meaning that if theychoose to 'start over,' an entirely new site and coop should be used. Alternatiely, the existing area can be cleaned as well as possible, with removal of all organic debris and at least 6 inches of topsoil, and building interiors cleaned with a virucidal agent. Some sources also suggest allowing the area to lie fallow for 18-24 months. As for vaccination, the vaccine does NOT prevent infection, it only reduces mobidity; vaccinated birds tend to become carriers and intermittently shed the virus."

At this point, I'm going ahead and enjoying my existing three vaccinated chicks who are 6 weeks old. Hopefully, I won't lose more than anymore. Don't know if I'll have to go through this Marek's nightmare again or not.

 

[Dudu]

Quote:

 

[mycutekitties]

I'm so sorry.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

If you are just keeping them for personal use and not breeding or selling, just follow the advise you posted in the very first post.

If you DO want to breed sell eggs etc, then you would have to cull, disinfect, wait, and start over...

Sorry about your chickies.