American serama thread!

[tailfluff]

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Thanks Chicklette! I was actually just about to PM you.

How long did it take for MD to progress in your birds? How did it start - About how many days? Shorty has had this problem for about two weeks now. I don't know how she looks since that video - I should be getting another video of her today sometime.

My birds got progressively worse in a matter of days so the fact that it's been a couple of weeks is good news unless it is declining. I had to make sure they got the food and vitamin water several times a day as they really could not get to the food all the time unless it was right in front of them. Interested to see the new video. If she is getting the vitamin therapy, it should be kicking in now unless as was stated by someone else, her body cannot absorb it. There is also a form of Mereks that attacks the internal organs rather than the neurological system.

Thank you Chicklette for your knowledge and wisdom!
I have my fingers crossed considering Shorty is going on week 3 and can still ambulate although with difficulty.

 

[lonestargame]

jan/feb 2012 issue of The Poultry Magazine. available at tractor supply company stores.

 

[mauigirl]

similar symptoms and links to the backyardchicken forum link too

did a bit of research on thiamin deficiency and links are posted in the forum

 

[froggiesheins]

SERAMAS ROCK!!!!

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[froggiesheins]

x'S 2

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I think it is a neurological problem caused by either a vitamin deficiency or mal-absorbtion of vitamins...I would isolate the bird, continue multi vitamins (including E and B, make sure she eats and drinks and give her some time.

 

[froggiesheins]

FABULOUS VIDEO!!! Got to find the thresd that this is on now......


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[froggiesheins]

Artsy, what were to treating them for--spraddle legs???? SO cute.....

OH BOY OH BOY.....THAT MEANS PICTURES ARE A'COMING....

.....

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[froggiesheins]

WOW chicklette, Thank you for all this great info......I am putting it in my "book of remedies and info"
I still think it is an injury/vitamin/lack of sunshine issue..........[jest my opinion].....

Sunshine, lots of vitamin rich food [the video posted was awesome] and wait..........The hen I have that has neurological problems [balance/coordination/depth perception] is well over a year old and doing well conisdering....Before I got her she lived in a cage with CRAP for food...no nutrition of any kind [well-starch]...how this birdie lived is beyond me....she is a fighter......

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Sorry I wasn't available last night. I know how frustrating it can be to watch them and not be able to help. I tried both the vitamin E and the B therapies. I did not see any improvement after several days. The chickens ate, drank, pooped and seemed fine except for their legs. Started with one and the other one gradually got weaker. Froggie gave you good info on how they move differently when it is an injury as opposed to an illness. I could not tell you what you may have but within a few days one leg was forward and one leg was backward. The birds really could not support themselves and needed help getting to the food and water. I had to prop them up. I think if you just isolate them and wait and watch you will know if they are getting better or worse over all. They looked like they were a little better at some times and then got worse again so it was a bit of a roller coaster watching them. The leg position was the most prominent symptom and easiest to see.
I am very sorry for her baby. I watched the video and it was hard to tell but the one leg looked pretty useless already. The legs just get weak. It is due to tumors affecting the sciatic nerve. There are several different forms of MD but I think the neurological one is the most common. This is something that is difficult, if almost impossible to get completely rid of. The virus is so easily transmitted and can live for a long time in dust. I am weighing the idea of vaccinating or not vaccinating as they can still be carriers and transmit it to any other bird that has not been vaccinated at the age of 1 day old.
The good news is that there are many birds who have a natural resistance to MD and will not get it but can still carry it. One recommendation is to build a resistant flock and not vaccinate but let the resistant ones survive. Mereks is EVERYWHERE from what I have learned. There are more inquiries being made for me from large chicken raisers to U of Mich. to resident vets. I hope to learn more so I can come to a wise conclusion as to which way to go. It is said that most chickens harbor the herpes virus and things such as stress from outside conditions or their own systems going thru the "teen" period can cause the outbreak. My hen was near point of lay and my rooster was becoming a young man. Their ages were perfect for the outbreak. So far everyone else is fine.
I hope this has helped you and any other people who may encounter an outbreak of MD. I am sure there are many opinions on this topic because there is no cure and the exposure is so wide.
I will report any other info that I receive from other sources in order to make people more familiar withal MD.
I had my 2 beautiful 3 month old birds humanely euthanized at the vet and I am moving on. This is just one of the perils of raising these birds and I do not feel I've done anything to be responsible for it.
Maybe if I was just starting in chickens, I would have vaccinated every baby I got but that limits your additions to your flock to only vaccinated birds and most people do not vaccinate.
I would inform the person from whom you got the chick so that they can be on the lookout for other birds they have and know what they are dealing with.
That said.........time will tell and maybe she will get better and it is not MD! Good luck to you.

 

[Chicklette 1]

Quote:
Sorry I wasn't available last night. I know how frustrating it can be to watch them and not be able to help. I tried both the vitamin E and the B therapies. I did not see any improvement after several days. The chickens ate, drank, pooped and seemed fine except for their legs. Started with one and the other one gradually got weaker. Froggie gave you good info on how they move differently when it is an injury as opposed to an illness. I could not tell you what you may have but within a few days one leg was forward and one leg was backward. The birds really could not support themselves and needed help getting to the food and water. I had to prop them up. I think if you just isolate them and wait and watch you will know if they are getting better or worse over all. They looked like they were a little better at some times and then got worse again so it was a bit of a roller coaster watching them. The leg position was the most prominent symptom and easiest to see.
I am very sorry for her baby. I watched the video and it was hard to tell but the one leg looked pretty useless already. The legs just get weak. It is due to tumors affecting the sciatic nerve. There are several different forms of MD but I think the neurological one is the most common. This is something that is difficult, if almost impossible to get completely rid of. The virus is so easily transmitted and can live for a long time in dust. I am weighing the idea of vaccinating or not vaccinating as they can still be carriers and transmit it to any other bird that has not been vaccinated at the age of 1 day old.
The good news is that there are many birds who have a natural resistance to MD and will not get it but can still carry it. One recommendation is to build a resistant flock and not vaccinate but let the resistant ones survive. Mereks is EVERYWHERE from what I have learned. There are more inquiries being made for me from large chicken raisers to U of Mich. to resident vets. I hope to learn more so I can come to a wise conclusion as to which way to go. It is said that most chickens harbor the herpes virus and things such as stress from outside conditions or their own systems going thru the "teen" period can cause the outbreak. My hen was near point of lay and my rooster was becoming a young man. Their ages were perfect for the outbreak. So far everyone else is fine.
I hope this has helped you and any other people who may encounter an outbreak of MD. I am sure there are many opinions on this topic because there is no cure and the exposure is so wide.
I will report any other info that I receive from other sources in order to make people more familiar withal MD.
I had my 2 beautiful 3 month old birds humanely euthanized at the vet and I am moving on. This is just one of the perils of raising these birds and I do not feel I've done anything to be responsible for it.
Maybe if I was just starting in chickens, I would have vaccinated every baby I got but that limits your additions to your flock to only vaccinated birds and most people do not vaccinate.
I would inform the person from whom you got the chick so that they can be on the lookout for other birds they have and know what they are dealing with.
That said.........time will tell and maybe she will get better and it is not MD! Good luck to you.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Since the topic of Marek's has been brought up. I have a question.

If you do not vaccinate...and take a bird to a show...they will be exposed to birds who have been vacinated and are carriers.

But if you do vaccinate...they you are a carrier.

I know a lady who vacinates even her adults. I have asked a number of people and from what I am being told they vacinate even adults...anything that comes on the place...and have never had a problem with vaccinating the older ones. I have been told that the main reason they say to vacinate as a chick is for ease of vaccinating.

I know that BIG productions actually vacinate in egg.

Opinion?

I am still trying to decide what it is that I want to do. I love to hear all reasons and opinions. I don't want to create a war...only looking for pros and cons here. I look up to many of you and have learned a great deal of information from many on the BYC sight. I know that everyone has their own opinion and they are welcome to it.

If you are uncomfortable posting here could you pleae PM me as I would love to hear all aspects/sides of this topic. And, Yes, I have read A TON of articles on the disease too.