I'm not a bad Chicken Mama after all...
I have been suffering with the thought that I was a bad "Chicken Mama", doing something that contributed to the untimely and uncomfortable demise of 4 of my little feathered charges. Yesterday I opened the full report of the necropsy, done by the specialists at UC Davis, and learned that my dear little darlings died from Marek's Disease.
Marek's Disease:(MD) is caused by a herpes virus that may result in death or severe production loss in both layer and meat chickens. Vaccination will reduce the losses. However, in recent years there has been an increase in Marek’s disease, due to new strains of virus and faster growing, more susceptible birds.
So, what does that mean for us? Any of the birds we have that were "home born" could die from this disease. I have done some further research and learned that it is an airborne illness that is carried in the dander of the birds and that the coops should be thoroughly disinfected. I guess I know what I am doing ASAP!!! I put the linoleum down specifically so I could mop it! Now I have to talk Farmer Jeff into helping me to line the inside with FRP - a composite made from fiberglass reinforcement in frp panela plastic (polymer) matrix. FRP is the material used in commercial kitchens because it is easily disinfected. Those birds will be living in a very slick (no pun intended!) enclosure!
I am so relieved that the reason they are dying is not due to my negligence, but rather from being born at home and not being vaccinated. It is a bit of a catch 22 for a back-yard flock because the vaccine must be given in the first 24 hours of the chicks life. The vaccine is only available in doses for 1,000 birds...and it won't last more than 24 hours. This is especially tough if you have no idea whether or not the remaining eggs under the hen will hatch! I am going to need to investigate this further, but it sure makes me hesitant to home hatch any chicks. Until I can get this figured out, I'll be buying my chicks vaccinated!
Rest in peace, sweet Grace, Jasper, Mamma Roux and Domino.
Marek's Disease:(MD) is caused by a herpes virus that may result in death or severe production loss in both layer and meat chickens. Vaccination will reduce the losses. However, in recent years there has been an increase in Marek’s disease, due to new strains of virus and faster growing, more susceptible birds.
So, what does that mean for us? Any of the birds we have that were "home born" could die from this disease. I have done some further research and learned that it is an airborne illness that is carried in the dander of the birds and that the coops should be thoroughly disinfected. I guess I know what I am doing ASAP!!! I put the linoleum down specifically so I could mop it! Now I have to talk Farmer Jeff into helping me to line the inside with FRP - a composite made from fiberglass reinforcement in frp panela plastic (polymer) matrix. FRP is the material used in commercial kitchens because it is easily disinfected. Those birds will be living in a very slick (no pun intended!) enclosure!
I am so relieved that the reason they are dying is not due to my negligence, but rather from being born at home and not being vaccinated. It is a bit of a catch 22 for a back-yard flock because the vaccine must be given in the first 24 hours of the chicks life. The vaccine is only available in doses for 1,000 birds...and it won't last more than 24 hours. This is especially tough if you have no idea whether or not the remaining eggs under the hen will hatch! I am going to need to investigate this further, but it sure makes me hesitant to home hatch any chicks. Until I can get this figured out, I'll be buying my chicks vaccinated!
Rest in peace, sweet Grace, Jasper, Mamma Roux and Domino.
posted by Chicken Mama at 1:48 PM
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