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Mareks Disease in chickens
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Mareks Disease in chickens
I just learned today that when I went to a local hatchery in my area that not all chicks are vaccinated against Mareks. I picked up my pre-ordered chicks, because it was cheaper (no shipping fee) and several different breeds of baby chicks were for sale in the hatchery and I bought a dozen. The ones I ordered had been vaccinated according to my instructions. Unfortunately, after 6 months I am losing a chicken weekly due to not being vaccinated against Marek’s. It never occurred to me the other babies weren’t vaccinated too, since many people purchase for re-sale. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get that vaccination for your fowl…I had to learn the hard way. Plus, there is nothing that will cure them. Has anyone else had issues this year? I have had chickens all my life and have NEVER lost any to disease only to predators.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
4MFarms.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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6 Replies
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Just wonder how you “know” they are dying from Mareks? Are you having autopsy done or what? If so, how are they diagnosing this? Test used or what?
Reason I ask is we have never vaccinated for that and have only had one case that seemed to fit the description that was healed with homeopathy and minerals, leading us to believe what is being called a disease is actually a mineral deficiency.
ETA: We have maintained a flock of 50-100ish birds for about ten years now.
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I thought it was a herpes virus?
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no autopsy…they fluff up one day….no diarrhea…just stop eating in three days die and they are a pile of feathers…super thin like a wasting disease..btw I have never lost any before either in 30+ years of raising them…I looked up my records and the ones that WERE vaccinated are still alive and healthy…it’s the only disease that fits the description
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also they are free range…fed good feed and minerals…clean their coop regular too
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chicks should hsve Mareks & Newcastle “vaccines” prior to purchase. These two diseases spread fast. And by not having proof of vax, it gives your state ag official a reason to “annoy” you. An Avian Vet can assist you with flock meds. There’s a website to look up an Avian Vet in your area. Google Avian Veterinarians.
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apart from the Mareks and/or Newcastle vaccine, are there any other (“recently relevant”) vaccines we might want/not want given to day old chicks purchased from a hatchery?
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