Marek’s disease virus is known to survive in an exposed environment (such as the soil where chickens are kept) for at least 5 months, and possibly for several years. Marek’s disease is not zoonotic (contagious) to humans. The meat and eggs from infected birds are perfectly safe to eat.
Some believe that It can be fatal, and there is no cure. Some chickens do survive it, and many build resistance to it. If you suspect you have Marek’s disease in your flock, do not panic, but please do educate yourself.
No, unfortunately, chickens will not recover from Marek’s disease and there is no effective treatment available. If you have infected chickens, I feel for you.
When we were researching we ran into the inquiry “How long does it take for a chicken to recover from Marek’s?”.
A chickens will generally either die within 24 to 72 hours or recover to some extent. Marek’s Disease can cause more signs similar to other diseases as it weakens the bird’s immunity putting it more at risk of other infections. The incubation period of Marek’s varies considerable between 14 days and 12 weeks.
Can a chicken spread Marek’s disease?
But the chicken can still “shed” and spread the virus. So it is important to know if a bird currently has Marek’s (in live birds) or if a bird had the disease (in a deceased bird being considered for testing).
The symptoms of Marek’s Disease depend on which tissues are attacked. In the classic form, Marek’s Disease will cause inflammation and tumors in the nerves, spinal column and brain. In this form, birds will become paralyzed in the legs, or wings or may develop head tremors.
Can you mix turkeys and chicks together to prevent Marek’s disease?
Mix turkeys and chicks together to prevent Marek’s Disease so the chickens will be exposed naturally to turkey herpes virus. This is not correct! Not only will the chickens not get Marek’s Disease protection, but turkeys might be exposed to other common chicken diseases such as Mycoplasma and Blackhead.
What is Marek’s disease?
Marek’s Disease affects chickens and is caused by a chicken herpes virus. It will not make people sick. Like many herpes viruses, once an animal becomes infected, it will be infected for life. Not all infected birds however, will get sick.
Marek’s disease progresses fast after the onset of symptoms. A chickens will generally either die within 24 to 72 hours or recover to some extent. Marek’s Disease can cause more signs similar to other diseases as it weakens the bird’s immunity putting it more at risk of other infections.