Marek's in 5-week old chick?

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klcabe

klcabe

In the Brooder
7 Years
Mar 21, 2012
55
3
48
Canton, NC
Back on February 27th, I received an order of baby chicks from Meyer Hatchery. A couple each of Buff Brahmas, Salmon Faverolles, Welsummers, Buckeyes, Black Copper Marans, and Barnevelders. They've been doing very well up until this week, when I noticed one of them is not standing up, but 'wobbling' around on its hocks. If I pick it up, it seems like its equilibrium is off, and it can't sit on my hand very well. It's still eating and drinking, but it's getting run all over by the rest (I was going to separate it this evening when I get home).

Could it be Marek's? If so, would it only affect the one bird? I've not put them outside yet with my flock. Now I'm super worried. I didn't have them vaccinated before they were shipped - I didn't really see the need; my flock all came from Mt Healthy a year ago.
 
It could be a vitamin defiency. I'd try a good poultry multi vitamin. See if that helps her symptoms.if mareks is present that means they are all likely carrying the virus but does not mean they will all be symptomatic with it.but if mareks it means they can although not symptomatic spread the virus to others. I would first rule out the vitamin defiency . If she does not improve it very well could be something more serious like Mareks. The only way to confirm mareks is through testing. I hope this helps and answers your questions.
 
But why would a vitamin deficiency only affect one chick? It's the same starter feed I've used with all my chicks. I sincerely hope it isn't Mareks, but vitamin deficiency doesn't make sense to me. :confused:
 
klcabe said:
But why would a vitamin deficiency only affect one chick? It's the same starter feed I've used with all my chicks. I sincerely hope it isn't Mareks, but vitamin deficiency doesn't make sense to me.
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Vitamin deficiency of parents can show up in the chicks this way. Give poultry vitamins in the water. Mareks symptoms usually show up later. It also can be neurological symptoms from wry neck or brain damage, but treat with vitamins to see if it helps.
 
Hmm. Seems like, according to that article, it could be a vitamin D deficiency. Where can I get water-soluble vit D?
 
If you go here, scroll down to "Are there any other diseases that look like Marek's?" -- https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

At that age, if they have not been exposed to any other chickens, I too would be more suspect of a vitamin deficiency. Chicks from large commercial hatcheries seem slightly (emphasis on slightly) more prone to this as the parent stock are not as closely monitored as, say, a small breeder. Deficiencies in parent stock can be passed onto the offspring, indeed. There are also genetic reasons some of these birds have trouble and others don't. I have a pretty classic case of a faverolles chick that was 'wrong' from day one, also from Meyer.

Also, double check and make sure their feed is fresh and appropriate for chicks. :) I'm sure you are doing well by them, but it's just something I have to mention as others have been... can we say... misguided, by ignorant feed store employees.
 
I got some vitamin/probiotic powder (Rooster Booster is the name of it) and have been putting that in their water. I can't say whether it's that, or having a lot more room to run around now that they are outside, but the chick in question seems to be doing a little better. It is up on its feet a lot more and doesn't seem quite so wobbly. Time will tell, I guess.

I'm feeding Dumor chick starter/grower to the babies, and Nutrena layer to my adults. The chicks go through feed so fast, and waste a good bit of it when they're still indoors that I can't afford to feed them Nutrena.

Thanks
 
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Rooster Booster is great. Marek's can show up at 5 weeks, but usually there would be more than one becoming unable to walk, maybe a few days or a week apart.

Have any chickens in your flock been exposed at any time to another chicken outside of the flock?
 
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None of my chickens has been exposed to any others, no. They are in a 1/4 acre fenced-in area since allowing them to free range resulted in too many deaths by stray dogs and such. The only other person nearby that has chickens lives up at the top of the mountain and he keeps his penned, too.
 

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