This airborne virus is extremely deadly and your flock can easily get the disease if a bird farm down the road is infected by it. There’s not a whole lot you can do about Marek’s. The virus is very common type of herpes and enters the chicken’s body through its respiratory tract. The virus is microscopic and is carried through the dander of the chicken’s feathers.

This is a contagious disease that can’t be stopped, but doesn’t spread to the egg. The disease will usually hit the chickens when they are aged between 5 –25 weeks. Beyond that age your chickens will develop a natural immunity to the diseases.

Depending on the type of the disease, the chicken can also get paralyzed wings, with the legs and neck becoming immobile. Death is usually soon to follow, since the chicken can’t access food or water on its own.