Thoughts on Mareks. I sometimes see people commenting that even vaccinated chicks can get Mareks and die from it. I wouldnt want people to think that it is not worth vaccinating then. I could make a very long list of reasons why a vaccinated chicken might show symptoms and even die, but I will try and keep it short. Not all people vaccinate, so there is plenty of Mareks around, it mutates to different forms, and a vaccinated bird can lack resistance, or only have a little resistance to a new form. Good husbandry still suggests that you avoid introducing new birds to your flock. A bird whose immune system is compromised in other ways, might not be able to adequately fight off exposure to a new form of the virus. Keep your birds as healthy as possible. Fresh clean water, regular food, shelter, clean bedding, parasite control Not all vaccinated chicks develop immunity - for a number of reasons. A weak or already sick bird is immunologically compromised. A lot of people are vaccinating their own chicks but lack skills, so the vaccine might not actually end up sub cutaneous, or vaccines might be used that are out of date. Vaccinated chicks may have already been exposed to the disease directly or indirectly (on the clothes or hands of their carers) or may be exposed too soon after vaccinating, before the birds immune systems have responded to the challenge of the vaccine. ALSO - not all birds that died of Mareks disease, actually die of Mareks disease. There is a lot of amateur diagnosis going on out there. Opinions and discussion most welcome.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 01:46:27 +0000
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