2 month old welsummer pullet sick, is it mareks?

[steph5253]

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.

I have done just that and come up with limited explanations. Most likely atypical mareks, which seems remote as she was vax and has never been around other chickens other than her brooder mates, or some congenital illness such as heart condition or rumors.

Still not much hope for any....

 

[ChickenLegs13]

She deserves better than flopping about on the ground. Go ahead and put her out of her misery and put your care & efforts into the rest of your flock.

 

[seminolewind]

Steph, if she has Marek's she would have had to get it from another chicken most likely. Beside that she is vaccinated. That would kind of rule Marek's out for now. There are plenty more things it could be.

 

[seminolewind]

She deserves better than flopping about on the ground. Go ahead and put her out of her misery and put your care & efforts into the rest of your flock.

I doubt Steph is letting the hen flop around on the ground, I think she's trying to do everything she can until she's satisfied that her hen can't be saved.

 

[seminolewind]

Steph, if she has Marek's she would have had to get it from another chicken most likely. Beside that she is vaccinated. That would kind of rule Marek's out for now. There are plenty more things it could be.

Since she's really young, I would start with those B vitamins. And I do think that Aspergillosis is a good guess.

 

[casportpony]

No matter what you do, chickens will just drop dead overnight for no apparent reason. Upside is their multiply quickly and are cheap & easy to replace in large quanities.

They do sometimes drop dead, but luckily for us in CA, we *can* find out why. CA residents can send their dead poultry to UC Davis and have necropsies done for free. Limit 2 per day.

-Kathy

Edited to add that we can also drop off live birds and they will euthanize for free, then do the free necropsy.

 

[steph5253]

Th

...

Since she's really young, I would start with those B vitamins.  And I do think that Aspergillosis is a good guess.
[/quote

Thanks for all your support and advice, I really appreciate it.
The Vitamins I have been giving have B vit in them, is that enough?

I know you said mareks is not likely and I agree but I can't help thinking that's what she has :-(
It could be aspergillosis but she does not have any respiratory signs....
I will try continuing vit

 

[steph5253]

They do sometimes drop dead, but luckily for us in CA, we *can* find out why. CA residents can send their dead poultry to UC Davis and have necropsies done for free. Limit 2 per day.

-Kathy

Edited to add that we can also drop off live birds and they will euthanize for free, then do the free necropsy.

Thanks for this input. I knew about Davis doing necropsies but did not k ow they euthanized. I already knew if she died I was sending her there, I have to know what happened to her. But if she continues to deteriorate and it gets to the point where she is suffering and I tried everything I could, then I will take her in to be euthanized. That seems kinder than the alternative at home with hubby.

 

[casportpony]

Sorry you're going through this, I know how hard it is. If you decide you want to tube feed I can teach you and I'm available by phone.

-Kathy

 

[seminolewind]

Th
Quote: That's the funny part about aspergillosis. You don't need respiratory symptoms.