Chickens have Marek's disease: causes, symptoms, treatment methods, prevention

It is possible to determine in time that chickens have Marek's disease by regularly examining birds. To do this, chickens must often go for a walk, as often the first symptoms are mild. The disease can proceed in stages and in a short time affect the entire chicken coop. Symptoms may vary depending on the age of the bird.

General information about the disease

Infection with the disease occurs as a result of the activation of a virus in the body of a bird. The virus most often affects the nerve cells and internal organs of laying hens. When examining the affected areas, you can notice swelling of the soft tissues and the presence of formations.

Distinguishes types of disease:

1. Neural - this type affects the nerve cells. As a result, paralysis appears in chickens.
2. Ocular - the virus infects the visual organs. The bird begins to see poorly, as a result it becomes blind.
3. Visceral - internal organs are affected. Soft tissues are destroyed, causing organs to fail to perform their functions.

Often the disease appears in complex forms that lead to the death of laying hens. In order to timely identify the type of disease, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.

Causes of Marek's disease

The disease occurs as a result of improper care of the chicken coop and birds. The virus spreads through the air and can stay indoors.The carriers of the disease can be pests, flies, beetles or food. The cause of the disease is reduced immunity. Most often, the disease affects chicks up to 2 weeks. The reason is unsanitary conditions and a poorly processed incubator. However, infection of adults can be found.

Routes of infection

Disease carriers can be sick birds. The virus can be spread by airborne droplets over long distances. The virus can also be transmitted with droppings, food and feathers.

The carrier of the disease is cleaning equipment. The virus also persists on feeders and drinkers. After infection, the chicken does not show symptoms, so further damage to the coop occurs.

Important. After infection, the bird does not show any symptoms for 10-15 days. The virus can remain in an inactive form, after a decrease in immunity, progress rapidly.

How is the incubation period?

If young individuals are infected, the virus adapts in the body within 2 weeks. After this period has elapsed, the chick can infect other hens without showing symptoms of the disease. The acute period of infection occurs in the first 5 weeks after the virus enters the bird's body.

Often, the disease begins to appear only on the 5th week after infection.

Adult chickens have a positive incubation period. The first signs of the disease are noticeable only after 6-7 weeks. The acute form of the virus infects the entire chicken coop within 2 days.

Symptoms of the disease

Marek's disease can have symptoms depending on the stage of development and age of the bird. You can notice the first signs of the disease during daily walks or after careful monitoring of laying hens.

Sharp shape

This type of viral infection may resemble other types of diseases. Has the following symptoms:

• chicken limbs do not move or are paralyzed;
• chicken does not move well, often coordination of movements is disturbed;
• wheezing and difficulty breathing;
• lack of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting;
• wings open, not symmetrical;
• vision loss.

This species may present with additional symptoms that appear with each infection.

Classic form

This species is often ignored by poultry farmers. The disease manifests itself with mild symptoms and is often confused with other types of infection. Symptoms in classical Marek pathology are as follows:

• chicken is weak, lies most of the day;
• poorly coordinated in movement;
• limbs undergo paralysis;
• wings droop.

You can also often notice a lack of appetite and the appearance of fleas. These additional symptoms appear as a result of a weakened immune system.

Diagnosing the problem

In order to identify the stage of the disease, you need to contact a veterinarian who will diagnose. When diagnosing, the following methods are used:

• external examination of a bird during a walk;
• examination of birds in quarantine;
• analysis of diseased bird feathers;
• study of bacteriological culture;
• detection of the virus by trial method.

He althy and sick laying hens are examined. If the laying hen died, it is necessary to do an examination of the internal organs.

Treatment measures

Treatment methods depend on the age of the bird. Sick birds in an acute form are not treated, as the virus has already spread throughout the body and affected all internal organs.

Chickens

When the disease occurs in chickens before the 2nd week, treatment is not advisable. Most often, these chicks do not have immunity. In rare cases, a special vaccine may be used.

In adult chickens

Treatment in adults should be carried out at the first stages of the onset of unpleasant symptoms. For treatment, special antiviral drugs are used, for example, Acyclovir. The action of the drug is aimed at suppressing the virus and blocking its further spread throughout the body of the bird.In order for the bird to endure the negative effects of the medicinal substance, it is necessary to use additional probiotics. The action of probiotics is aimed at protecting the lining of the stomach from destruction. The duration of treatment is at least 5 days.

Important. When the first symptoms of paralysis appear, treatment is not carried out. The bird dies.

At broilers

Broilers belong to the meat breed of chickens. The use of special preparations does not give the desired result. Since birds grown in artificial conditions, as a rule, do not have immunity to diseases and viruses. Therefore, on the third day after hatching, broilers are recommended to have a special vaccination that will reduce the risk of disease.

After infection, the birds die and can infect he althy individuals within a week. After each batch of chicks, the incubator and surrounding areas must be thoroughly disinfected.

Vaccination against disease

Using a special vaccine does not give a 100% result, but the risk of a virus is reduced. Used for vaccination live virus, which contributes to the development of immunity. After the introduction of the vaccine begins to produce antibodies that, after infection, suppress the virus. The following form may be used:

• M 22/72;
• Interve.

The vaccine is purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. The drug is stored in a cool place. Please check the expiration date and test the chicken before use.

Can meat and eggs of infected birds be eaten?

Marek virus is not dangerous to human he alth. It should also be noted that in adults, symptoms appear late.Therefore, a person often consumes eggs that are carried by affected laying hens, however, veterinarians do not recommend eating infected meat and eggs. Since pathology often provokes the appearance of other infectious diseases that can adversely affect human he alth.

It is forbidden to use meat products that have a yellow tint or signs of damage to muscle fibers.

General preventive measures

The virus is difficult to treat, so veterinarians recommend taking preventive measures that will keep the birds he althy. Among the preventive measures it is necessary to highlight:

1. When buying young animals, carefully inspect the chicks. Do not buy chicks from unverified organizations.
2. Use a veterinary first aid kit, where there are drugs to prevent the occurrence of viral diseases from the first days of life of chicks.
3. Vaccinate chickens.
4. Remove diseased chickens in a timely manner.
5. Regularly clean the coop and drinkers.
6. Timely remove droppings that can act as a carrier of diseases.
7. The chicken coop should have a flat floor without cracks or holes. This prevents pests and insects from entering.
8. After death, the affected chicken must be removed from the chicken coop within 24 hours and the room should be treated.
9. Strengthen the immunity of birds with vitamins and minerals that are added to food.
10. To treat inventory used in the cleaning process with antiseptics.
11. Regularly walk chickens to identify an infected individual.

When an individual appears that has suspicious symptoms, it is necessary to separate the chicken from the livestock. Observe in quarantine until the type of infection is fully identified.

Conclusion

Marek virus can kill birds in a chicken coop in a short period of time. Both adult and young chickens can be infected, and the virus often affects ducks and geese. When the first symptoms of the virus are detected, it is necessary to isolate the bird and take measures for treatment. Birds treated in the early stages of the virus appear to be cured, but such individuals lose their immunity and are subject to other types of infection. Therefore, veterinarians recommend taking preventive measures against the disease in a timely manner.

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