We suspect Marek's - what to do?

[greenbean62657]

I know I am a month later in logging in to this conversation - but we are going through a similar process with confirmed Marek's in our flock of 8 juvenilles - and 3, 4 week old chicks still in the house. We just lost our 6th bird last night - the last two look healthy but this means nothing as 2 weeks ago we lost 2 chickens very quickly that showed no symptoms until the parylisis came on.

I just would like to know what has progressed in the past month? Is the rest of your flock healthy? We keep wondering if we should just put all of the chickens down and give up for a while on having chickens. The worst of this is that we were told we had vaccinated birds - from Ideal Poultry. Big producer I know - but how reputable???

So if you don't mind giving me some information and what you would do over kind of advice - I would so appreciate it. We feel pretty worn down, being new chicken owners, and spending $500.00 on a diagnosis - is it worth it?

Thanks

 

[igep]

Hi:

Thanks to everyone for all of your helpful information. I am quite sure I also have a problem with Marek's. I started out with two groups of pullets from different sources both about 12 weeks of age about three months ago.
The first group came from a farm with questionable conditions. The source had hundreds of chicks that he had bought at one day old. They had been in crowded conditions. I now suspect that this group was NOT vaccinated for Marek's. This group contained five comets, two ri reds, one americauna, and three brahmas. Out of these eleven, I have lost three comets, one ri red and three brahmas. Several of the affected pullets died suddenly with few obvious symptoms except for lethargy. About three of them started out showing paralysis of one leg which worsened until they were no longer able to sustain themselves. The rir survived the longest but eventually passed. From this group I only have one ri red, two comets and the americauna. I really did not have the money to get a necropsy and since I suspected Marek's there would be no treatment anyway. Also I cannot let them free range since I have a jack russell terrier and predators in the area.
My second group of pullets came from a much better environment and I am pretty sure that Tom had them vaccinated. In that group I have two buff orpingtons, two silver-laced Wyandottes and a white leghorn who had been laying daily until yesterday. I also have one that was laying small brown eggs until yesterday--not sure which hen it is. So far all of the girls in this group have remained healthy. I don't know whether to separate the two groups at this point--it is probably too late to prevent exposure anyway. I am trying to keep a close eye on all and will quickly pull out any that show signs of illness. I do have cages I can keep them in outside of the pen.
I am hoping that my leghorn has not stopped laying due to illness since she is my favorite. I know that it could also be due to time of year but I am trying to increase light in the coop.
I am also hoping and praying that I will not lose any more chooks.
I do not want to give up my flock and will probably let nature take its course. If anyone has any suggestions or encouragement please let me know!! I will keep you posted if any changes.