2 month old welsummer pullet sick, is it mareks?

[seminolewind]

I don't know why she's squaking-is she hungry?

 

[steph5253]

I don't know why she's squaking-is she hungry?

She does not appear to be eating er chick starter but will eat pretty much anything else I give her. She also does not appear to be drinking much water.

She only squawks when she moves, it makes me think moving is responsible for the squawks.
She still trills often, particularly when I talk to her.

 

[seminolewind]

Chickens I have/had absolutely could not resist mush. Feed and water. At least it might get some more fluid into her.

 

[steph5253]

H

Chickens I have/had absolutely could not resist mush.  Feed and water.  At least it might get some more fluid into her.

Haha so true! that is the only way she is eating it right now. I also mix it with cooked oatmeal and she loves it.

 

[seminolewind]

Yum!!!

 

[steph5253]

So time for an update. I decided to worm her thurs.

She seems to have more spunk but still
No change in her mobility. It has been a week and a half, what are the possible outcomes at this point? She is eating good but not drinking at all.

 

[seminolewind]

I think you have to decide for yourself when to make that decision. I feel bad she's not getting better.

 

[steph5253]

I think you have to decide for yourself when to make that decision.  I feel bad she's not getting better.

Me too :-( I don't know how much she is suffering.
Could this still be mareks or botulism? Would she have died already from those?
I am starting to think it may be something congenital, like a heart problem or maybe a tumor ?????

 

[seminolewind]

Botulism is usually quick. Yes, it could be a tumor or some illness. Without a professional diagnosis, I think the best you can do is look at all the possibilities, rule out as many as you can, and see what's left.

With Marek's, the suffering is usually wasting away.

 

[steph5253]

Update

I don't know what to do, she is not any better. She hasn't walked in almost two weeks. I am not sure about continuing on like this as it seems she has no quality of life, but the implications of that are hard for me to accept :-(

She squawks differently now like she is hoarse, which baffles me. Other than that no change. She eats what she wants, which does not usually include crumble, and barely drinks. I have been giving her watermelon as oatmeal mixed with a little chick crumble to try and get her more fluids. Still unable to stand and has a hard time sitting. Every once and a while she will lose balance and flail and squawk while she gets comfortable again.

I give her vit and and egg yolk by syringe with some water every night just to keep her hydrated and getting enough protein and vit. My husband thinks I am prolonging the inevitable. He thinks if she were going to make it there would be some improvement by now...