Paralysed Hamburg

Symptoms of Marek’s disease, and its prevention

source: Victoria Roberts
Country Smallholding April 2202
starts p20, 2 pages long

Some ‘well bred’ large breeds of chickens are vulnerable to Marek’s disease, which is a viral disease that stops legs from functioning, though they still have feeling. One or both legs may be affected. There is no cure, so the chickens have to be culled. Stress can trigger attacks, and attacks often come when chickens are about to come into lay.

Infected chickens are infectious for life, and the virus can persist in the dust of poultry houses for 12 months. Vaccination is one way of tackling the problem, though it has to be continued with each new chicken bought, and new generations of chickens, once a vaccination programme has started. Culling is another solution.
CH,HD