15 month old laying hen not doing well at all.

[SaraZ]

We have a 15 month old laying hen that we got from someone a month or two ago. One day she just went "lame". She was not steady on her feet and it progressed to not walking around at all any more. She just sits by the feeder and waterer. She eats and drinks but is loosing body mass. She also pants. You can stand her up and she will stand for a bit but then lays right back down. I don't know what the problem is. We originally thought a leg issue but that doesn't seem to be the case. I have quarantined her from the rest today, fearing the worst. (Marek's disease). I have no clue though.

Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks for all the help. I'm going to go out and clean the coop thouroughly for the other birds.

 

[SaraZ]

If it is Marek's can I vaccinate the rest of my flock and if so how? We have some older hens, some three month old chickens and then some 1 month chicks.

Thanks a bunch in advance.

 

[seminolewind]

Hi, if your flock, esp your chicks have never been in any type of contact with that hen, the vaccine may work. Your hen sounds like she came with Marek's virus.
The vaccine only works if given before being exposed to the virus- which is spread in dander and dust from the chickens