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Post by beck on Oct 14, 2008 16:47:22 GMT 8
just after some advise last year i got myself some silkies from a lady and after spending time and love with them ( maybe 2 months ) i came home from work and one (sadly ) was munted it started with the wing dragging then it stopped walking etc you prob know how it goes so i carried it around and made sure the food was close thinking it had been bitten but later the next day took it to the vet who then referred me to the agriculture dept who told me it was Mareks after a few short weeks all my silkies went one after the other till i had none left i gave the agriculture dept her number and address but they did nothing in future if anything like this happens is there someone i call because i think it wrong that someone is selling not only bids with problems but spreading a disease lucky for me i kept them separate but as a result have never owned a silkie ever since as it is too sad but am now considering......it after seeing all yours they are soo beautiful
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Oct 14, 2008 17:13:27 GMT 8
Aw shame thats so sad beck. I agree with you, its not right that someone is selling these birds and spreading the disease all around perth. However, maybe she isnt aware that her chooks are carrying the disease, did you tell her what happened?. Cant help ya with who to call but Im sure someone else will be able to. Please dont be put off of owning silkies because of what happened, they are lovely birds
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Post by horses7 on Oct 15, 2008 7:06:35 GMT 8
It is really hard when you lose birds to any disease, most backyard breeders do not vaccinate against mareks or IB as it is not usually a feasible exercise. and even if they are immunized it is still no guarantee that they are not going to get it. I dont personally immunize my birds as most of my chicks go to the average backyarder who are not equipped or want to go to the lengths that are needed to maintain a bug free as possible environment, but I do not breed from pullets, my thoughts are that if the hen has survived the 1st 12 months without any hiccups, there is a good chance that she has a pretty strong natural immunity which she will pass on to her offspring. Mareks can be spread by the wind, people coming to visit etc, apparently from what I have read it is very easily spread, also if you immunsize it means no more setting of eggs under a clucky hen. The is an article I saw on feathersite web site if you would like to have a look. It is more on the commercial line of breeding but it is still pretty good. www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1145/mareks-disease-the-story-behind-the-headlines
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Post by fluffychook on Oct 15, 2008 7:49:59 GMT 8
Commiserations Beck and thanks h7 for your comments
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Post by farmchooks on Oct 15, 2008 8:09:58 GMT 8
Thanks h7. We also chose not to vaccinate our chooks, and they are a very happy and healthy lot. We are lucky that we live out in the country and their pens are cleaned weekly with lots of fresh hay and therefore I get lots of compost for the garden. The flowers and veges love it.
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