- Thread starter
- #31
So, all this makes sense now. The illness my girls have.
I read a previous thread about Mareks, and what I discovered is it supresses the immune system, making it susceptible to coccidiosis, and other infections—bacterial.
So when my girl started to decline, and I thought it was Coccidiosis, it was really Mareks...
Update:
the previous was written about four days ago, and never posted. I woke up this morning and found little Juli dead. Thank goodness chickens die with their eyes closed. I don’t think I could stand another animal dying with their eyes open.
Rigor mortis had already set in and she must’ve died early last night after I had gone to bed (8:00-ish)
She died and was in the typical Mareks position, I think, as she was on her side with her legs straight out.
She was not eating very well, nor drinking, and though I fed her via a syringe, I still don’t think it was enough to keep her going. Her roommate must have Marek’s they were together since I brought them home. She must have it. But I can get her tested,… And I think that will close the case.
I understand that the body must be incinerated. That’s from the state poultry web site. Makes sense...
The bigger problem is what do I do now? Obviously I can’t put the remaining chicken out with the rest of the crowd, which gives me the alternative of leaving her inside. Maybe I could put out a an SOS for a confirmed Mareks rooster or hen... to anybody in Virginia, so that she has a companion
Afterthoughts:
Upon reflection, I think they had marek‘s from the beginning, and I’m not sure the seller knew or not. Since I paid $20 a hen, I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew.
The main reason why I say this is one of them was very afraid and the other one was just very very docile. Sadly, I suspect the worst of the seller.
But, I have learned a very very important lesson. Chickens should be afraid.of you,... generally speaking.
I read a previous thread about Mareks, and what I discovered is it supresses the immune system, making it susceptible to coccidiosis, and other infections—bacterial.
So when my girl started to decline, and I thought it was Coccidiosis, it was really Mareks...
Update:
the previous was written about four days ago, and never posted. I woke up this morning and found little Juli dead. Thank goodness chickens die with their eyes closed. I don’t think I could stand another animal dying with their eyes open.
Rigor mortis had already set in and she must’ve died early last night after I had gone to bed (8:00-ish)
She died and was in the typical Mareks position, I think, as she was on her side with her legs straight out.
She was not eating very well, nor drinking, and though I fed her via a syringe, I still don’t think it was enough to keep her going. Her roommate must have Marek’s they were together since I brought them home. She must have it. But I can get her tested,… And I think that will close the case.
I understand that the body must be incinerated. That’s from the state poultry web site. Makes sense...
The bigger problem is what do I do now? Obviously I can’t put the remaining chicken out with the rest of the crowd, which gives me the alternative of leaving her inside. Maybe I could put out a an SOS for a confirmed Mareks rooster or hen... to anybody in Virginia, so that she has a companion
Afterthoughts:
Upon reflection, I think they had marek‘s from the beginning, and I’m not sure the seller knew or not. Since I paid $20 a hen, I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew.
The main reason why I say this is one of them was very afraid and the other one was just very very docile. Sadly, I suspect the worst of the seller.
But, I have learned a very very important lesson. Chickens should be afraid.of you,... generally speaking.
Last edited:
