Birds of a feather flock together. . . However, if you have even one bird with Marek’s disease, you will likely prefer to keep that little chick separate from the rest of the flock. Marek’s disease is a highly contagious viral illness that affects chickens, especially pullets, young birds under the age of 20 weeks.
At Backyard Boost®, we love our feathered friends, and we know you do, too! That is why we want to educate you about the good and bad that can happen to our birds. We know that prevention is oftentimes more important than treatment, and that holds for Marek’s disease in chickens.
Marek’s disease is caused by a herpes virus and can spread rapidly through a flock, leading to serious health issues and even death. Understanding the signs, symptoms and potential treatments is crucial for any poultry enthusiast hoping to maintain a healthy flock.
Signs, Symptoms of Marek’s Disease in Chickens
Marek’s disease presents in several forms, each with distinct symptoms. The most common form is the neurological type, which impacts the nervous system. Infected chickens typically show:
- Paralysis of the legs, wings or neck
- Drooping wings
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Inability to stand
Another common form is the visceral type, where tumors develop within internal organs. This form usually doesn’t present external signs until it’s very advanced. Symptoms include:
- Weight loss despite a healthy appetite
- Depression and lethargy
- Pale comb and wattles
The ocular form of Marek’s disease can cause:
- Gray or irregularly shaped pupils
- Blindness – total or partial
Feather follicles can also be affected, leading to rough or irregular feathering in the skin form of the disease.
Transmission of Marek’s Disease
Marek’s disease spreads mainly through feather dust and dander from infected birds. The virus can survive in the environment for months, making it very difficult to eliminate once established. It does not spread vertically – from hen to egg – but horizontal transmission between birds is extremely efficient.
Treatment & Prevention
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Marek’s disease in chickens. Once a bird is infected, supportive care is the only option, and even then, the prognosis is often poor. This makes prevention the key strategy in managing the disease.
Vaccination is the most effective preventative measure. Chicks should be vaccinated on the day they hatch, ideally before any exposure to other birds. Even vaccinated birds can carry and spread the virus, so good biosecurity practices are essential. This includes:
- Isolating new birds before introducing them to the flock
- Regularly cleaning and disinfecting coops and equipment
- Reducing stress, which can trigger symptoms in carriers
Backyard Boost Can Help
Marek’s disease in chickens is a serious threat to backyard and commercial flocks alike. While it cannot be treated once contracted, it can be managed through vigilant vaccination and strict hygiene. Recognizing the signs early and taking preventative measures can save your flock and keep your chickens comfortable, healthy and productive.
Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in managing chicken diseases. A well-balanced diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and fatty acids ensures optimal growth, immune function and disease resistance. Providing high-quality feed, clean water and supplemental nutrients can significantly enhance the health and productivity of your flock.
Just like humans, good health and proper nutrition work closely together. We know that about 70% of the immune response is found in the gut. A vital part of the relationship between healthy immunity and the prevention of disease or illnesses in the flock is proper nutrition. First, be sure to provide your flock with fresh, nutritional feed and water each day.
Next, supplement your feed regimen with a high-quality supplement from Backyard Boost. Nutritional supplements like Backyard Boost help keep your hens healthy and happy and help them convert and absorb the nutrients in the feed you are already supplying them. Additionally, the nutrients they provide can potentially help prevent some chicken diseases by increasing immunity and keeping your flock healthy.
Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials
Backyard Boost Daily Essentials is a pelleted protein supplement for poultry designed to maximize digestibility and egg production. Daily Essentials contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and AO-Biotics® EQE, a postbiotic research-proven to enhance egg quality. Additionally, this supplement provides nutrients needed for overall well-being.
Backyard Boost Daily Essentials is the first supplement for backyard chicken enthusiasts to include AO-Biotics EQE, the first-and-only postbiotic created specifically for layers. EQE, or Egg Quality Enhancer, has three primary benefits:
- More sellable eggs
- Improved egg mass
- Increased productive life span
With the prebiotic, postbiotic and additional protein working together in this daily supplement, you can start seeing happy and healthy hens, which means hens that are laying anything but ordinary eggs.
Backyard Boost Defense
Backyard Boost Defense is a liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response. This green liquid also includes Amaferm. It provides the nutrients needed in times of stress and promotes water intake and hydration. In addition, it contains MOS, to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system.
Easily added to water daily for best freshness, Defense can be used during the added stresses or transitional times that include seasonal changes throughout the year. New, young chicks or mature chickens added to the flock benefit with supported digestion and a healthy immune response during the annual and normal process of molting.
Get your Backyard Boost Today!
We hope you find this guide to Marek’s disease in chickens helpful. We know that Backyard Boost can’t prevent disease, but it can help keep chickens healthy and comfortable. Get your hands on industry-leading backyard chicken supplements now!
Ordering Backyard Boost is simple: purchase via our online store or from one of our online retail partners.
Perhaps you prefer to shop in person. Our Where to Buy tool can help you find the BioZyme retailer closest to you.
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