Lone Silkie (Marek's) - introducing vaccinated hen(s)

[mschicks8]

We live in the country (without close neighbors and surrounded by woods) and have used a chicken tractor successfully to keep a small (2-6) laying hen flock in years past. Last year, the kids were ready for chickens again. We purchased 6 pullets from an amish farm over an hour from here. Within the first few months of raising them, 5 died of Marek's... or were suffering so that we had to cull them. I didn't think to have the dead birds tested at the time, but it was classic Marek's symptoms with paralysis of legs (one facing forward, one back) and eventually of wings, until they were unable to eat or move. Ironically, our Silkie girl, who should have been the most susceptible, was the only one who survived. Now she's a year old and still going strong and seemingly healthy, but lonely. We cannot let her free-range because our dog "plays" with them to death. Our children desperately want to keep her and to get her some "friends." We know that this is a very risky option. I am looking for advice. She's gone broody, but the kids love her to death and want to keep her. I would like to introduce a few pullets (or older) of other gentle breeds (if I can find ones that were purchased from a vaccinating hatchery as chicks) and take my chances. I miss eggs! What am I up against? How do broody Silkies handle new hens? New chicks? We vowed that we are never going to raise chicks again - too much to deal with... finding a good space, heat, mess, etc... and I know that they are more susceptible to the disease the younger they are (even if vaccinated). Thoughts? Help needed here!

 

[cavemanrich]

Not sure where you are located, but search out some chickens for sale on Craig's List. Then ask them if the chickens are vaccinated. Also search out your State Thread, and post your desires to get some vaccinated hens.
I am assuming you are in the US, since you do mention the Amish Farmers.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[artsyrobin]

I would test her for mareks, send a swab here, for $20 you will know if she is a carrier. If she is then get vaccinated birds. Mareks gets the blame for alot its not. Under ten months, it likely wasn't mareks, it takes that long for symptoms to be in evidence. Other things with similar symptoms are cocci, vitamin deficiency, parasites, botulism, lead poisoning to name a few. I have a mareks positive flock, its not always fatal.

http://www.vetdna.com/test-type/avian-bird

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would test her for mareks, send a swab here, for $20 you will know if she is a carrier. If she is then get vaccinated birds. Mareks gets the blame for alot its not. Under ten months, it likely wasn't mareks, it takes that long for symptoms to be in evidence. Other things with similar symptoms are cocci, vitamin deficiency, parasites, botulism, lead poisoning to name a few. I have a mareks positive flock, its not always fatal.

http://www.vetdna.com/test-type/avian-bird

Birds can become symptomatic from the Marek's virus at any time. It's not unheard of for birds as young a 4weeks to have symptoms. So, at 10months it very well could have been Marek's.
Unfortunately, testing is the only way for sure to find out.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/neoplasms/marek-disease-in-poultryhttps://thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/mareks-diseasehttps://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens