One of my 5month old orpingtons cannot stand up

long story short - we got 3 2month old pullets who are now 5months old
2 of them (one orpington and one welsummer) are integrated into the rest of the flock of mostly bantums, but one keeps getting pecked bloody so she is secluded in a dog crate in the main run.
incidental she is currently only half the size of her orpington sister (they were the same size when i got them 2months ago - thats them in my profile pic)

last week i went out and noticed she was having trouble standing, favoring her left leg, but she is now completely unable to stand.
Ive done electrolytes, vitamins in cat food, and will try worming medicine

my concern is that she may have Mareks even though she was vaccinated and no one else is exhibiting symptoms
I havent quarantined her as i figure at this point there is no use (everyone has been sharing water/living space).

Any thoughts about how to handle her? I know theres no treatment but how long should i wait until i can be sure? should I see if she recovers or try to humanely "take care of her". We have grown so close through all her pecking injuries that im having a really hard time.

if she does recover and she did have Marekes - should i be concerned about introducing other hens into the flock as she will be a carrier? I have 3 other pullets waiting to be integrated...

HELP

I have no experience w/ this at all but I just wanted to tell you my heart is w/u... sorry you have to go thru this & I hope everything works out for her! She is lucky to have a human that cares like you.

I don't know much I am new to this as well but I have found a good first step is putting apple cider vinegar(ACV) in there water, and then try isolating her until she is better. In the same water you might get a antibiotic as well. If she is smaller she might be shy like my little one so you might try making her mash (starter food with water) they love it and you will probably have to wean her off it(exp. if you mix in some dried meal worms). I had a problem getting my little one to eat because she would wait till the bigger ones were gone and then she would eat but not as much because she wanted to be doing what they were. I have developed methods of sneaking her treats and when she was younger I would isolate her and feed her meal worms or healthy treats that would help make her stronger. I also put a stuffed monkey in there cage for comfort.

That is just some first steps you can consider, they may not solve the problem but they cover many issues and I think are a good start. Good luck.


Edit: you might also give her some scrambled egg or yogurt (mix with feed, mine don't like the wetness)

Now that I see the comment above, I should mention that any chicken problems I've had have been resolved w/ yogurt, whey, ACV, and some herbal help. (I am a clinical herbalist and treat my chickens the sae as people lol.)

*Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy couldn't hurt! I use it for all trauma... for the animals & the humans dealing w/ them!)

Sometimes a chicken needs extra help in the vitamin department to thrive.....You might try adding Vitamin E or B >>> you will have to research it on BYC cuz......this old frog just cannot remember which one it is...AHHH!

It does sound suspiously like Marek's.

Here's my advice to you..and, just so you know, I have been battling Marek's in my flock for a year now. I've lost 35+ birds and just today lost my beloved OEGB hen. So, I do have some experience.

I would have your pullet euthanized and a necropsy performed. That way, you will know for sure what you are dealing with. This is very important as it will impact the rest of your chicken keeping years.

If she is positive for Marek's.... you now must keep a closed flock. No chickens out, ever. Hatching eggs would be fine as it doesn't pass through the egg. No new babies in except for those day old vaccinated at the hatchery or day olds hatched and vaccinated by you. You then must isolate the babies for up to 6 months to allow development of strong immunity. Bleaching of everything, all the time to cut down on the spread of the virus. Your entire flock, since it was exposed, are now carriers and at risk for developing the disease.

I hope I answered your questions. Feel free to ask more. I will help as much as I can.

I agree with the other posters and I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. One thing I want to add: I would not recommend trying to worm her. In my experience, unless you have seen worms and are positive that they have them, it is best not to worm them. It would probably only weaken her further.

Erin~TheChickenLover said:

I agree with the other posters and I am so sorry that you are having to go through this.

One thing I want to add: I would not recommend trying to worm her. In my experience, unless you have seen worms and are positive that they have them, it is best not to worm them. It would probably only weaken her further.

Click to expand...

thanks so much - I appreciate the help

i guess i was hoping beyond hope that she is off her feet b/c of worms not disease.
My thought now is that she probably wont make it if she does have Mareks, so might as well try to de-worm in case it is that, yes, no?
Any idea how long she will struggle with it if it is Mareks?

leadwolf1 said:

It does sound suspiously like Marek's.

Here's my advice to you..and, just so you know, I have been battling Marek's in my flock for a year now. I've lost 35+ birds and just today lost my beloved OEGB hen. So, I do have some experience.

I would have your pullet euthanized and a necropsy performed. That way, you will know for sure what you are dealing with. This is very important as it will impact the rest of your chicken keeping years.

If she is positive for Marek's.... you now must keep a closed flock. No chickens out, ever. Hatching eggs would be fine as it doesn't pass through the egg. No new babies in except for those day old vaccinated at the hatchery or day olds hatched and vaccinated by you. You then must isolate the babies for up to 6 months to allow development of strong immunity. Bleaching of everything, all the time to cut down on the spread of the virus. Your entire flock, since it was exposed, are now carriers and at risk for developing the disease.

I hope I answered your questions. Feel free to ask more. I will help as much as I can.

Click to expand...

Thanks, when i went out to check on here she way lying with one foot out in front but her wings seem to be okay
could it be that she is the only one with symptoms even though everyone has been vaccinated?

We dont hatch babies - hens are for only for eggs (and love) - we do have 3 pullets waiting to come into the coop - but as far as i know they have been vaccinated. I will double check with my source. I will make sure they are >6mos old before introducing. is it possible that the vaccine did not work on the affected one?

In all honestly I cannot afford a necropsy. i do have a friend whos a vet, maybe she can be of help. If the hen dies I will assume it was Marek's and continue accordingly. How long should I wait to be sure before having her "put down"?

Minchi said:

I don't know much I am new to this as well but I have found a good first step is putting apple cider vinegar(ACV) in there water, and then try isolating her until she is better. In the same water you might get a antibiotic as well. If she is smaller she might be shy like my little one so you might try making her mash (starter food with water) they love it and you will probably have to wean her off it(exp. if you mix in some dried meal worms). I had a problem getting my little one to eat because she would wait till the bigger ones were gone and then she would eat but not as much because she wanted to be doing what they were. I have developed methods of sneaking her treats and when she was younger I would isolate her and feed her meal worms or healthy treats that would help make her stronger. I also put a stuffed monkey in there cage for comfort.

That is just some first steps you can consider, they may not solve the problem but they cover many issues and I think are a good start. Good luck.


Edit: you might also give her some scrambled egg or yogurt (mix with feed, mine don't like the wetness)

Click to expand...

I dont think she is smaller due to access to food, as she have spent half her life in quarantine after pecking attacks. Its either genetic, psychological or disease related. would Marek's make them grow slower? I have done electrolytes and vitamins. I will try acv and yogurt. she doesnt seem to like the cat food (trying to incr protein) but i have been giving her loads of meal worms.
i have also been giving her chick starter which has abx in it. do they sell one i can put in her water?

Great idea about the stuffed toy!!

thanks for the help and support