Mareks. Can we ever get chickens again?

[MoonFarm]

How long should we quarantine? And since Olive is a single bird and we are introducing two bonded pullets (6 months old), is there a chance they will pick on her rather than the other way around?

 

[FrostRanger]

How long should we quarantine? And since Olive is a single bird and we are introducing two bonded pullets (6 months old), is there a chance they will pick on her rather than the other way around?

I'd do a month and yes, it is possible, that's why it's important to do a gradual introduction with the see but no touch method. Have the newcomers in an area where they and olive can see each other but not touch for a week or 2 and then put everyone together and see how it goes. If all goes well there may be some pecking and chasing, but nothing major and that's that. If they are too aggressive with each other, separate them and do see but no touch for another few days and try again

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Mareks is only an issue because humans have made it an issue. Natural selection solves the problem within three generations, if not for humans intentionally breeding chickens with bad immune genetics in isolated areas

Also I strongly recommend against Fayoumi. In fact I just went on a long delirious rant against them in another thread. To quote-

I was surprised and disappointed myself. Two years ago when someone local was selling a quad of them I was excited for the opportunity and the plan was to breed them to a locally camouflaging color, but otherwise keep them exactly as Fayoumi. However I could make a laundry list of reasons why they didn't work here

• They're extremely flighty, to the extent they won't get within 30 feet of a human outside. If they go somewhere to lay eggs and then see me within 10 feet they'll scream extremely loud and explode away at the speed of light. Not even Red Junglefowl are this flighty
• Female Fayoumi hide their eggs always
• Female Fayoumi are the only chickens I've ever had that regularly break and eat their own eggs. It was months before I got a single egg from them because they would eat them all, and even the eggs of other chickens
• The females are extremely cruel. They're the only breed I've ever encountered that bite, grab, and rip at the flesh of other chickens. They genuinely try to hurt other chickens and would go out of their way to cause harm to others
• Sometimes the females when tree roosting would begin screaming extremely loud in their raspy voices, and they wouldn't stop for 30+ minutes. This would actually rile up my normally peaceful flock until the entire flock is screaming frantically
• All of the females died to predation within 6 months (thank God), probably due to their color not matching the forest
• All Fayoumi offspring and hybrid offspring hit sexual maturity around two weeks of age, then they began to fight, scream and attempt forcibly mating with anything they can. Often they attempt to violently force themselves on their own adoptive mother (see pic)View attachment 4114185
• Developing cockerels express cruelty similar to female Fayoumi, and will even stomp on newborn chicks (for which they were instantly culled)
• The sole mature Fayoumi male on the other hand seemed to have a noble soul and was tirelessly working to protect my entire flock. No complaints about him, though I have no doubt he was a hellion in his own youth

In general Egyptian Fayoumi seem to be all of the worst traits of chickens bundled together. I have no idea how or why people choose to work with these things. They belong left alone in the Egyptian wilderness

I recommend American Gamefowl from a free-ranging flock. Just let the survivors breed and you'll magically end up with immune chickens one day

 

[MoonFarm]

I'd do a month and yes, it is possible, that's why it's important to do a gradual introduction with the see but no touch method. Have the newcomers in an area where they and olive can see each other but not touch for a week or 2 and then put everyone together and see how it goes. If all goes well there may be some pecking and chasing, but nothing major and that's that. If they are too aggressive with each other, separate them and do see but no touch for another few days and try again

Thank you, this is incredibly helpful! I’m looking at my setup to plan separate spaces for everyone

 

[MoonFarm]

Mareks is only an issue because humans have made it an issue. Natural selection solves the problem within three generations, if not for humans intentionally breeding chickens with bad immune genetics in isolated areas

Also I strongly recommend against Fayoumi. In fact I just went on a long delirious rant against them in another thread. To quote-

I recommend American Gamefowl from a free-ranging flock. Just let the survivors breed and you'll magically end up with immune chickens one day

Like most things, we humans tend to create our own problems, don’t we? I think about it every time we have to chop back more Himalayan blackberry vines which constantly try to consume our pastures. But the berries are delicious! Ha.

My goodness, your description of those Fayoumis! They sound like actual little dinosaurs! Maybe I dodged a bullet here?

 

[MoonFarm]

Interestingly, the three chickens we lost to Mareks were gorgeous…two beautifully marked Bluebells and one very pretty Lavender Orpington with the fluffiest pantaloons. I admit, I bought them for their looks. Olive was almost an after thought, added just to round out a flock of four. She is a scrappy little black Olive Egger, very plain next to the others. But guess who has survived two rounds of Mareks and a dog attack and still lays 5-6 eggs a week?

 

[No Coop No Problem]

But guess who has survived two rounds of Mareks and a dog attack and still lays 5-6 eggs a week?

Your one mixed breed chicken of course

 

[MoonFarm]

Yep! Pretty is as pretty does. And we see how beautiful she is now!

 

[Sonya9]

I have had Mareks in my flock for over 10 years and have not lost a bird in 8 years. After learning about it and realizing it is a herpes virus triggered by stress I take steps to ensure my birds, especially adolescents integrating with the flock, are NOT overly stressed/bullied. Adolescents are the most likely to come down with it.

I also keep a prescription of the anti-herpes med acyclovir on hand. Haven't had a need to use that in a few years either but if a bird is injured or stressed I give it to them for 2-3 days *before* symptoms appear. It prevents the virus from infecting new cells so it must be started early (I get scripts from my vet, it is a cheap generic drug and once I get a few tablets they last for years).

My birds are perfectly healthy and live to a ripe old age but yes, they will always be carriers and any new chicks I add will also be exposed. I forget the Mareks is there unless someone is sick/injured. Of course I also don't sell/rehome birds as that will spread it to other flocks.