Recouping after Marek's disease...

[go-qoli-gwej]

So, our small flock is afflicted with Marek's disease (confirmed, not just suspected). We have lost about half of our flock to Marek's and related complications over the past year. Our five remaining hens are in reasonably good health, and are all coming up on about a year and a half old.
Something that I've been unclear on is the possibility of repopulating our flock with birds who are vaccinated against Marek's disease. There is a lot of conflicting information out there, and I've read in some places that it's fine to introduce vaccinated birds to a flock where the disease is present, but I have also read that the vaccine doesn't necessarily prevent hens from contracting the disease, just lessens the likelihood of more severe reactions and complications. I wouldn't want to risk infecting birds who would otherwise not be exposed to the disease, but I would really rather keep the existing hens we've grown so fond of.

Is the contamination of the space beyond resolution? Would we be safe bringing new hens in if we did rehome our existing flock? (I am not comfortable culling them knowing that some may very well go on to live healthy and fulfilling lives, but would consider seeking out an alternative living situation for them if need be).

It has been an extremely difficult experience losing so many of our girls one after the next. Any advice or insight about how to move forward is greatly appreciated.

 

[nuthatched]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Here's all the information, I hope you can use it.
I'm sorry you're going through this, that's rough.
If you want to restart your flock, I would find someone to cull the birds (then burn the bodies) and absolutely not give the problem to someone else and spread the disease. That's like your dog getting bit by a rabid coon and you just give away the dog.
I personally, would burn down my coop and torch the surrounding area if I were to restart after mareks.

 

[go-qoli-gwej]

If you want to restart your flock, I would find someone to cull the birds (then burn the bodies) and absolutely not give the problem to someone else and spread the disease. That's like your dog getting bit by a rabid coon and you just give away the dog.

I guess I could have been clearer. In the instance of re-homing them, I would be looking specifically for someone who's intention is to raise just these birds, like a "rescue", not someone with an existing flock who would be exposed.

 

[nuthatched]

I guess I could have been clearer. In the instance of re-homing them, I would be looking specifically for someone who's intention is to raise just these birds, like a "rescue", not someone with an existing flock who would be exposed.

I understand, it doesn't matter.
it still spreads the disease unless that party has them completely enclosed, which isn't not work. This disease is spread by dander.

 

[arkansas_ash]

I too have had a recent experience with MDV in my young flock. I'd keep the ones you still have. If anything, they could come to not experience the disease itself and have an immunity to it, though they could still be carriers. If they were laying, for sure I'd keep them.

 

[FNF]

Same boat @go-qoli-gwej ...we started with 10 chickens, including 1 rooster. We lost one Ameraucana to Marek's last year, then another Ameraucana hen earlier this year, and finally our Ameraucana rooster just a couple of weeks ago. The first two were tested and confirmed. We culled the rooster after he got sicker and sadder and are 99% sure it was Marek's but it had different symptoms and he lingered longer than the hens (they both lasted only two or three days). There is one remaining Ameraucana (I'm always watching her...it's crazy that all three so far were the same breed) plus 6 red/black sex links. I keep an eye on them and keep them clean, but at this point we are just hoping they stay healthy.

We debated, but ultimately decided to get some new chicks in the spring. I have accepted that there is little to be done as far as eradicating the virus - perhaps the prior owner's birds were infected, or the neighbor's chickens, or wild birds carried it...who knows. But the area is contaminated beyond our ability to "cleanse" it of a virus. So we'll keep our existing birds as healthy and clean as possible. The chicks will be brooded indoors and then moved to a different coop in a nearby pasture within sight of the other hens. Obviously it can travel through dander and dust so I know they're not 100% safe even in a different enclosure. We will try to get them the best start possible with vaccination, biosecurity, good feed, a separate coop to start, and we won't integrate them until closer to six months old. The best thing to have come from dealing with this is recognizing symptoms and being vigilant. Here's hoping these ladies stay healthy and the chicks guild good immunity.

 

[go-qoli-gwej]

Same boat @go-qoli-gwej ...we started with 10 chickens, including 1 rooster. We lost one Ameraucana to Marek's last year, then another Ameraucana hen earlier this year, and finally our Ameraucana rooster just a couple of weeks ago. The first two were tested and confirmed. We culled the rooster after he got sicker and sadder and are 99% sure it was Marek's but it had different symptoms and he lingered longer than the hens (they both lasted only two or three days). There is one remaining Ameraucana (I'm always watching her...it's crazy that all three so far were the same breed) plus 6 red/black sex links. I keep an eye on them and keep them clean, but at this point we are just hoping they stay healthy.

We debated, but ultimately decided to get some new chicks in the spring. I have accepted that there is little to be done as far as eradicating the virus - perhaps the prior owner's birds were infected, or the neighbor's chickens, or wild birds carried it...who knows. But the area is contaminated beyond our ability to "cleanse" it of a virus. So we'll keep our existing birds as healthy and clean as possible. The chicks will be brooded indoors and then moved to a different coop in a nearby pasture within sight of the other hens. Obviously it can travel through dander and dust so I know they're not 100% safe even in a different enclosure. We will try to get them the best start possible with vaccination, biosecurity, good feed, a separate coop to start, and we won't integrate them until closer to six months old. The best thing to have come from dealing with this is recognizing symptoms and being vigilant. Here's hoping these ladies stay healthy and the chicks guild good immunity.

I would love to hear an update on how the integration of new hens into the infected flock goes when you reach that point.

Thanks for the response.

 

[2ndTink]

I had Mareks show up in my flock last fall, after a ton of research, input from poultry friends, experienced breeders, vets, anyone and everyone I could talk to it seemed, I chose to hatch chicks and vaccinate. I hatch in an isolated room and I only wear clean clothing into that room. I sanitize the whole room a few weeks before setting the first eggs and I keep the chicks in there under quarantine until they are 6 to 8 weeks old, then I move them outside.

Once outside I tend to them first before doing the other flocks for the first few weeks. After that all birds here are like one flock, I'll go between them as I please.

I haven't lost a single chicken that was properly vaccinated to Mareks to date and my oldest are almost a year old. Improperly vaccinated birds I have lost, but not anyone vaccinated at hatch with viable vaccine.

Especially if you get chicks from a hatchery that uses 2 or 3 serotypes of the vaccine and you keep the chicks in quarantine for as long as you can, I've seen 16 + weeks recommended, I personally so the 6 to 8 weeks.

Please note, there are different strains of Mareks, mine seems to be controlled with the HVT vaccine, others may not.

 

[go-qoli-gwej]

I had Mareks show up in my flock last fall, after a ton of research, input from poultry friends, experienced breeders, vets, anyone and everyone I could talk to it seemed, I chose to hatch chicks and vaccinate. I hatch in an isolated room and I only wear clean clothing into that room. I sanitize the whole room a few weeks before setting the first eggs and I keep the chicks in there under quarantine until they are 6 to 8 weeks old, then I move them outside.

Once outside I tend to them first before doing the other flocks for the first few weeks. After that all birds here are like one flock, I'll go between them as I please.

I haven't lost a single chicken that was properly vaccinated to Mareks to date and my oldest are almost a year old. Improperly vaccinated birds I have lost, but not anyone vaccinated at hatch with viable vaccine.

Especially if you get chicks from a hatchery that uses 2 or 3 serotypes of the vaccine and you keep the chicks in quarantine for as long as you can, I've seen 16 + weeks recommended, I personally so the 6 to 8 weeks.

Please note, there are different strains of Mareks, mine seems to be controlled with the HVT vaccine, others may not.

Very helpful info, thank you. I am still nervous to try but have hopes that we will be able to repopulate our flock.

 

[2ndTink]

Very helpful info, thank you. I am still nervous to try but have hopes that we will be able to repopulate our flock.

It is possible!

Check for hatcheries near you that do at least 2 of the serotypes of vaccine together, then very careful quarantine for the chicks as soon as they arrive and for several weeks. You want to delay their exposure to any possible Mareks virus.

Also, research is indicating the virus doesn't last as long in the hot weather. If you have an active Mareks outbreak with chickens shedding the virus, you might want to time getting chicks so that when they leave quarantine and head outside that it is a few weeks into hotter weather. Just a thought.