4-sweetpea Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 I have had the pm back today and the verdict is mareks disease.The vet suggested I should wait two months before restocking. I have been to inform the breeder who was very upset and said he would have to cull all his chickens . He has had quite a few losses but did not realise it was mareks.He reimbursed me all my money. I feel so sad. Well hybrids next time. Thanks to all for your support and helpful replies xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I really am sorry for you. This is the worst possible introduction to poultry All I can say is try to keep not-too-downhearted and when you are ready then go for some new stock. A few breeders of pure breds will vaccinate for mareks, but it is unusual, its just not feasible with small backyard numbers so it will certainly be easier to get vaccinated hybrids. In the meantime, if you can bear it, keep checking in here - you know we can be daft....but useful sometimes as well And best of luck with your future hen-keeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Poor you - what an awful start to chicken keeping, it has it's ups and downs but they are mostly up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewitall Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I hope you have the courage to start again. Had a bad start myself although not as awful as this but finally after many weeks I'm now seeing the enjoyable part of chicken keeping so I hope you won't give up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Thank you for letting us know the outcome - and at least now you know that there was nothing you could have done to prevent this. I feel sorry for the breeder but really if he/she is selling hens commercially then they should have been aware of the potential risk, I am glad you got your money back. Please try again, when the recommended period is up - you have been very unlucky and this is most unlikely to happen again. And please, come back and tell us about your new hens as we'd love to hear that your story eventually has a happy ending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I am so sorry to hear that but at least you know, and it sounds as if the breeder is being responsible too. As Daphne says, it really is very rare, so please don't think that your baptism of fire is normal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Sorry to hear about the bad start you've had, you have been extremely unlucky. It's a shame that the breeder is planning to cull all his stock as the way to breed-in resistance to something like Mareks is to breed from those that don't succomb to it. Mind you, he'd have to stop selling to the unsuspecting in the meantime. The Mareks virus survives in dust and dander, but I don't know how long for. If you do decide to get some more hens, it's a good idea to have a thorough clean and disinfect, and then to do it all again (and probably again). Hope you have had all of your chicken bad luck and that it's plain sailing from now on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
