Does my chicken have Mareks?

[vchambers]

Hi there! I have a pullet at about 15 weeks old. I noticed yesterday that she does not want to use her one leg. She keeps it tucked up when she stands and when trying to walk she uses it for a quick second....stumbles or steps on her bad foot....like she does not know its there. As I noticed this she was following the rest of the girls outside for a drink. Needless to say she stumbled and pretty much fell off down and off the ramp. It was sooo heartbreaking to watch.....thought maybe she hurt it jumping down from the perch, etc. I checked her leg and it doesn't seem swollen or broken. When I pick her up she seems to move her leg just fine but just not when she has to put weight on it. I have put her in a cage by herself with some water and food. Hoping she can just rest it without the other girls around. Does this sound like mareks??

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:


Sounds like an injury to me. Marek's is more like paralysis. In either case, quarantine is a good idea. I had a 5 week old chick that wouldn't stand on one of its legs about 2 weeks ago. After 3 days it could put some weight on it and in another 3 days it was walking fine.

 

[Wyandottes7]

 

[Wyandottes7]

My other post didn't show up right, so I copied it here.


It does sound like it could be Marek's Disease. But, another possible cause would be a vitamin deficiency. I'd start giving her vitamins (you should be able to get some poultry vitamins from a feed store). This should help if it is a vitamin deficiency, and can sometimes help a bird with Marek's.

If it is Marek's, you can't do much about it. Some birds seem to recover, but often die later from internal tumors. Here is a link with lots of information on Marek's, if you want to read more about it: The Great Big Giant Marek's Disease FAQ

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Mine didn't show up right either.

Here's my 2 cents worth though.

Sounds like an injury to me. Marek's is more like paralysis. In either case, quarantine is a good idea. I had a 5 week old chick that wouldn't stand on one of its legs about 2 weeks ago. After 3 days it could put some weight on it and in another 3 days it was walking fine.

 

[vchambers]

Thank you for the information...I am going to try the vitamins and hope she pulls thru ok. :/