No. Other viruses can, but not MDV. One of the saving graces of this disease...So it can't be passed into eggs?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
No. Other viruses can, but not MDV. One of the saving graces of this disease...So it can't be passed into eggs?
I think we can worry ourselves to death with "what-ifs?", but what would you do with your chicks otherwise? You have a flock that have shown no signs or symptoms of Mareks, so I would be unconcerned with introducing new chicks to the existing. If you introduce new chicks and they all die, then obviously you have a problem. But what are the odds? If you decide not to introduce them, what then?You may have said this before so sorry if I missed it but did your unvaccinated ones ever get sick from being near the vaccinated ones or were they okay? And did you house them together or just on the same property? I’m moving the chicks outside this weekend and they are, of course, not vaccinated so I’m a little nervous about putting them near my vaccinated birds but from what I understand, they should be fine?? And the fact I’ve had turkeys on the property should protect them from some strains of Mereks?
So I know nothing about genetics and how/what/why things are or are not passed along. Why is it that immunity is passed but the virus isn't? Doesn't there have to be some virus level in the chick to have immunity?No. Other viruses can, but not MDV. One of the saving graces of this disease...
I think we can worry ourselves to death with "what-ifs?", but what would you do with your chicks otherwise? You have a flock that have shown no signs or symptoms of Mareks, so I would be unconcerned with introducing new chicks to the existing. If you introduce new chicks and they all die, then obviously you have a problem. But what are the odds? If you decide not to introduce them, what then?
If my way of thinking is flawed on this, someone please tell me why.![]()
Not flawed to me... I think the same wayI think we can worry ourselves to death with "what-ifs?", but what would you do with your chicks otherwise? You have a flock that have shown no signs or symptoms of Mareks, so I would be unconcerned with introducing new chicks to the existing. If you introduce new chicks and they all die, then obviously you have a problem. But what are the odds? If you decide not to introduce them, what then?
If my way of thinking is flawed on this, someone please tell me why.![]()
Tractor supply used to have just open bins. Now they’re SUPPOSED to be staff-only in the bins I think. I occasionally order birds through my local feed store however I will only be there at opening when they arrive with the box so I can take my own birds straight from the box home, without them hitting the ground at the store.So, you've got lots of people looking at chicks in bins at many Tractor Supplies as I understand it.
It's reasonable to assume the vast majority of these people already have chickens.
Out of the hundreds that pass through such places doors in a week and look into and maybe handle the chicks it seems probable that a significant percentage have been in contact with other chickens. Some of these people will be buying to replace lost birds. Some of this some will have no idea what killed their birds.
I suggest that your other precautions are a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
A bit more fear mongering hereBut if I walk in there I'll end up getting Marek's... Now how do I buy my feed without buying from a farm, mill, or feed store? Do you know how many chicken owners walk on those properties?
See where I'm getting at It's impossible to avoid it... That's why I say it's more fear-driven. Yes, You can get it from going out in the public, or you could put your chickens in a bubble.
Great points. I also vaccinate my broilers for mareks, because I grow them all to 12-13 weeks.If you see any post about sick or injured chickens on BYC - limping chicken, won't eat, etc, etc, almost always, the symptoms point to a variety of illness, and almost always, Marek's could be one of the reasons the chicken is suffering. The advice by most of the experienced "healers" on BYC almost always say - if it get's better, great, as many survive Marek's. But they also survive strains, sprains, egg bound etc. But if the chicken doesn't survive, or is humanely put down - the recommendation is always to have a state lab necropsy performed.
What percent of those that are recommended for necropsy actual get the necropsy done? That's why looking at the experience of diagnosed Marek's on BYC isn't a good proxy for the incidence of Marek's.
As NPIP certification doesn't test Marek's - doesn't that mean that Marek's isn't a "closed flock" illness?
Yes. It killed 13 out of 15 of my flock and swept through our entire neighborhood.So tesumph had it too or has it too?
Yes. It killed 13 out of 15 of my flock and swept through our entire neighborhood.
My point is though everyone is so worried about Marek's, but it's already all around us so there really is no way of preventing it. The vaccine really doesn't prevent it, does it?
@CSAchook says they vaccinate
I understand what you are saying, but this thread has not really helped me on why people vaccinate except for the few people who have contracted Marek's in their flocks and vaccinate now to protect their future flocks.