Mareks and silkies

[jessmorris]

Hello there,
can anyone help with the above? I've heard a few conflicting bits of info recently - one, that silkies can carry Mareks without being affected by it and can then spread it to the rest of the flock (of other breeds).
I've also been told that other birds are particularly susceptible for the first 6 weeks of life, before they are feathered up properly, and shouldn't be kept near silkies til then (a bit difficult I would have thought as silkies are brilliant broodies).
I was also told today of someone who bought two prize silkies who both died of Mareks very quickly after purchase, as did a third purchased new silkie, but nothing else in the flock was affected.

I have a silkie cross brooding pure silkies and wyandotte eggs among a mixed flock of game, d'uccles, pooters and a silkie x sussex, so where does this leave me?

[RichmondHens]

As I understand it, Silkies (and Sebrights) are more susceptible to Mareks than other breeds, but if you don't have the virus in your flocks to start with then you should be no more at risk than anyone else. Take care however when introducing new birds as you can never be sure what they are carrying.

[petal]

silkies are more susceptible to mareks but the problem with mareks is that its windbourne and therefore could arrive at any time. Many 'organic' breeders breed for more resistant stock.
Keeping a turkey with your stock(provided you have a regular worming schedule to prevent blackhead being transferred to turkey) reduces the risk of mareks as they make mareks vaccine from a mild form that turkeys carry.

[jessmorris]

Thankyou. So, Mareks can just blow in on the wind, or be brought in on a bird, of any breed. So my own reared silkie cross is no more likely to have it than any of the others in the flock, but the silkie babies may get it first if it is around but not showing in any of my hens.
Phew.
So that's why the vet said keep the chicks away from the adults til they are feathered up.
Cheers both,
JM (cheep)