Mericks

[AliciaM]

Over the last several weeks, I have been losing pullets like crazy. First it was just my BC Marans, 5 of them, then a buff orphington and 3 light brahmas and now today a silkie.. They have all showed the same signs.. First, they were just a little off..then they wouldnt walk around like the rest.. then it looked like they hurt a leg.. then they wobbled and could not stand...If I put food and water in front of them they would drink.. but they never got better..All but the silkie died on there own.. I had the silkie put down by my neighbor today..

From the research I did, I am almost positive it is merecks disease.. None of them were vaccinated for it. The BC marans were hatched here (very expensive eggs, by the way) and the others I got from Ideal poultry.. I didnt get them there merecks vaccine because of other research I did not recommending it..Im trying to look up that info again... but, live and learn..

The pullets were all hatched the end of June and early July..

They are in with about 13 adult chickens and 5 call ducks now. ( My 2 other silkies are in a seperate pen... and they hate it..)Before they were big enough to be in with the bigger chickens, they were in a pen right next to them and some of the older hens would fly into there pen and eat there food..

What do I need to do to safeguard my other chickens? So far everyone looks good... If I notice any signs from any more, Im going to immediatly seperate her and keep a watch for a couple days before I cull her...

This is my first time raising chickens and im pretty attached to them.. They all have names.. and attitudes..

Thanks for any help and thanks for reading my extremely long winded letter..

 

[ranchhand]

Very sorry you are having this issue and for the losses. No fun at all.

Marek's is a possibility, but I think you also need to see if there is any moldy feed anywhere- in crevices, under the feeders, etc. It can also present with leg paralysis. I lost a rooster to it last year, painful lesson.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

Sorry, sounds like a tough go.

What do I need to do to safeguard my other chickens? So far everyone looks good... If I notice any signs from any more, Im going to immediatly seperate her and keep a watch for a couple days before I cull her...

I am not sure if just watching for sick chikens and culling is enough to safeguard. Actually culling might not do much either for the flock. The virus will be active in litter and dander for a good 1-2 months and maybe as long as 4 months with the right temperature. Some sources even go as far as to say the virus can remain viable 12-18 months. Even chickens that look fine might be infected and infectious only to show up later with tumors, skin, eye problems or sudden death.

Bringing in only vacinated chicks might be the best bet. Still will have to expect the odd problems as vaccine is not 100% effective.​

 

[AliciaM]

Thanks for the info... There is no moldy feed here.. The only ones that are dieing are the youngest ones. Lost 2 more yesterday. A BC Maran and a buff orphington. The maran I had seperated because it just wasnt "right".. and the buff was a total suprise.. Showed none of the signs the others did before they passed away.

So.. lesson learned.. Only get vaccinated chicks..

Where would I get the vaccine to vaccinate chicks I hatch myself if I do so again next year?

Thanks.

 

[RedRoosterFarm]

Alicia, bring the dead ones down to Pierce Co. Ext. in Puyallup WADDL-WSU(off Pioneer) for necropsy. I took a few their 2 months ago and they did blood work and everything. It cost 65.00 only. They will do just the blood tests for I think 19.00. It will tell you whats going on. You might even open the bird your self and look to see if you can see discoloration of lindey,liver and such. WADDL is fast and cheap. Best of all they will tell you what to do if you need help and what kinds of meds you need. I was lucky cuz it was parisites. I thought it was mareks. So maybe its an easy fix if caught early. Good luck!
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[Judy]

I know I've read that a vaccinated chick can pass the disease to an unvaccinated one, as the vaccinated one sheds the virus.

Sounds like you need more information/research, both on what is actually going on, and on what to do about it.

Here are three resources:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

That autopsy would be an excellent place to start.

 

[kelar]

Vaccinated birds do NOT infect unvaccinated birds and in fact, it has been shown that vaccinated birds shed less than unvaccinated carriers. The vaccine given to chickens for Mareks is not capable of infecting the vaccinated bird (or any unvaccinated bird in contact) with the wild strain of Marek's Disease. While it is not clear that this is what is affecting the OP's birds, please do not be afraid to vaccinate your birds for Mareks. While the vaccine is not 100% effective, and will probably not protect a bird that has already been exposed to the disease, it is the only weapon we have to protect them.

 

[AliciaM]

Thanks for the information.. I am going to take in a silkie chicken I have that is showing the signs. She is the only one right not..

I will post what I find out...

Oh.. how old do chicks have to be to get the mericks vaccine??

 

[snowbird]

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Vaccinating for Mareks should be done first 24 hours after hatch.

 

[RedRoosterFarm]

jeffers sells the vaccination. When I get it I buy 4 at a time. It is like 20.00 now and then shipping has to be air on it because of needing to be refridgerated. Check around the area to see if someone else will split with you. I share mine when I vaccinate. My friends bring their birds over and or I give the extra to them. It takes me 15 minutes to give my hatch the shot and a friend who lives close will take the rest for her chicks. You are supose to give it within 24 hours and use the meds in an hour.
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