2 month old welsummer pullet sick, is it mareks?

[Nambroth]

You mentioned grains and I did not think of that aspect. I know some nasty stuff can grow on them if not treated correctly. I have been sprouting grains for scratch and fodder, could this have made her sick? I rinse twice a day but I have only been doing this a few months, I am not sure if I am doing it correctly. I followed the directions of a friend.

No I am worried I made her sick

I sprout for my birds, too, if it makes you feel better. If you are rinsing frequently and feed them fresh, you are likely safe. The biggest problems come from corn and ground nuts (peanuts).

 

[casportpony]

I sprout for my birds, too, if it makes you feel better. If you are rinsing frequently and feed them fresh, you are likely safe. The biggest problems come from corn and ground nuts (peanuts).

I've had to return many bags of moldy rolled corn in the last two years. Nasty, blue/green mold in them!

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Also had a bag of Purina Flock Raiser with mold, but it was much harder to see.

-Kathy

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
There is a blood test for Marek's thru Texas A&M.

 

[cjpines]

There is a blood test for Marek's thru Texas A&M.

How would you test for Marek's with a blood test through Texas A&M?

 

[seminolewind]

They have instructions on their site, and I figure I would go to a vet and have the vet pull blood and put it in the right tube, fill out the papers and enclose a check and mail it off.

 

[Nambroth]

The Poultry Sciences Department of the University of GA in Athens, GA also does blood PCR testing for Marek's. They will also run Avian Lymphoid Leukosis among other tests if requested.
One would need tissue samples or a blood draw done by a vet, or experienced tech, and overnighted to the laboratories. My testing ran around $120 with the overnight Fedex fees. Your fees may vary.

http://www.poultry.uga.edu/

 

[steph5253]

So she has gotten worse since yesterday, and is now laying on her side and cannot waddle anywhere. She can still somehow get around bc she keeps getting out of the cozy nest I made her for support. She is still eating and drinking a bit but she is having a hard time controlling her neck and has been dunking almost into the water. Her feathers have been coming loose since she first got sick and it is more pronounced now. She also has A LOT of pin feathers and new feathers.

I have increased syringe water feeds. And have taken to positioning her bc she is getting little red marks on her legs from pressure points.

I feel like she really may not make it now. But as long as she is eating and drinking and trilling at me I will keep nursing her.

It is sad that she has spent a fifth of her life this way :-(

 

[cjpines]

So she has gotten worse since yesterday, and is now laying on her side and cannot waddle anywhere. She can still somehow get around bc she keeps getting out of the cozy nest I made her for support. She is still eating and drinking a bit but she is having a hard time controlling her neck and has been dunking almost into the water. Her feathers have been coming loose since she first got sick and it is more pronounced now. She also has A LOT of pin feathers and new feathers.

I have increased syringe water feeds. And have taken to positioning her bc she is getting little red marks on her legs from pressure points.

I feel like she really may not make it now. But as long as she is eating and drinking and trilling at me I will keep nursing her.

It is sad that she has spent a fifth of her life this way :-(

Forgot to mention we had her poop examined by an avian vet for worms or anything else that was suspicious. She found nothing. At least your bird can eat and drink on her own. Arabelle could only eat and drink when I held the cup and dish in front of her beak.

Again, this sounds just like our Ameraucan, Arabelle. I could of kept her alive with food and water, but the rest of her life would of been nothing but living in a small room all alone. Since she wasn't making progress we had the vet put her down. We nursed her for 15 days and felt that was long enough for recovery or some progress. Just keep nursing her as long as you feel you can do it or if she's in pain then make the decision.

 

[cjpines]

Forgot to mention we had her poop examined by an avian vet for worms or anything else that was suspicious. She found nothing. At least your bird can eat and drink on her own. Arabelle could only eat and drink when I held the cup and dish in front of her beak.

Again, this sounds just like our Ameraucan, Arabelle. I could of kept her alive with food and water, but the rest of her life would of been nothing but living in a small room all alone. Since she wasn't making progress we had the vet put her down. We nursed her for 15 days and felt that was long enough for recovery or some progress. Just keep nursing her as long as you feel you can do it or if she's in pain then make the decision.

Oh, forgot to mention when I talked with our poultry person he had a bird who stopped walking, he said he did physical therapy (massaging) her legs. Now she up and running. If I'd known this I would of tried it on Arabelle. Worth a try if it's not painful.