Marek’s Vaccination Explained!

Marek’s Vaccine

First Things First regarding Marek’s!

Marek’s disease is not a risk to humans or other mammals. Eggs and meat from infected chickens are not affected by the disease and are safe to eat. However, if a chicken was infected with the cutaneous form of Marek’s, it may have skin and/or internal tumors that can be unsightly.

For 2023 it is a $22 charge to get the vaccine for up to 100 Chick’s.

Should I Get my Chick’s Vaccinated for Marek’s?

We will not answer that question!

There are a lot of University Extensions which have great articles about this, you must decide for yourself.

The Marek’s disease vaccine is a “leaky vaccine”, which means that only the symptoms of the disease are prevented. Infection of the host and the transmission of the virus are not inhibited by the vaccine. This contrasts with most other vaccines, where infection of the host is prevented.

There is another Leaky Vaccine just released in the last couple years which faces a lot of debate lately!

What they have in common is that they do not stop transmission or infection. What they do is, supposedly make the bad effects not so bad.

In the case of Marek’s, the tumors and disfigurement on Chickens is highly reduced with vaccinations but herd immunity is not an option. As for the other one, we are not going to talk about it here because too much division has been created over it and only time will reveal the truth about it.

Marek’s Vaccine Administration

In order for the vaccine to have any effect on the bird’s system, it must be administered before the bird is 24 hours old.

Then the birds need about 4-7 days for the vaccine to do its work. That means complete isolation of the chicks for at least this time. The chicks should be kept away from other birds and have a separate caretaker for them.

Marek’s Vaccine Origin!

The first Marek’s disease vaccine was introduced in 1970.

Shortly after the isolation of Marek’s disease (MD) herpesvirus (MDV) in the late 1960s vaccines were developed in England, the United States, and The Netherlands.

What is Marek’s Disease?

MD almost devastated the poultry industry in the 1960s but the disease was brought under control after Marek’s disease herpesvirus (MDV) was identified and vaccines were developed. This is the first effective use of an antiviral vaccination to prevent a naturally occurring cancer in any species.

Is Marek’s Common?

One of the most common diseases in chickens is Marek’s Disease. As a type of herpes viral disease, Marek’s Disease cannot make people sick, but once a bird is infected, it’s infected for life. Depending on the strain of Marek’s and the breed of the bird, not all birds will show signs of sickness.

What does Marek’s Do?

Marek’s disease affects both commercial and backyard poultry and may result in death or severe production loss. The disease causes changes in many of the nerves and may cause tumours in major internal organs. Chickens are the main species affected, although the disease occurs rarely in some other types of birds.

How to Identify Marek’s

• One leg stretched forward and the other back
• Paralysis
• Gasping
• Drooping wings
• Squatting position
• Inward curving of the toes
• Incoordination
• Torticollis (twisted or crooked neck)
• Nervous tics
• Blindness
• Irregularly shaped or unequally sized pupils
• Change in eye color
• Enlarged crop
• Delayed crop emptying
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Paleness
• Enlarged feather follicles, especially on legs
• Reddened, bloody looking shanks

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