Anyone have experience dealing with Marek's?

[shannon84]

I have a 4 year old buff Orpington rooster that showed up as a stray 3 years ago. So I'm thinking he is 4 now. He has Always been a healthy chicken, but accident prone to leg injuries. But I'm worried im dealing with Marek's now. Today he can't walk, I did see him stand up once. He also made it into the coop tonight. He is my pet and I'm devastated. I've called specialist at a university and she said it's not common for an adult that age to get Marek's but it's not to be ruled out. How can I care for him, make him comfortable and feed and watered and when to know when I should have him put down? I looked him over last night looked great but he did flinch over one section of his leg I touched. But when I watch videos of Marek's he looks just like those chickens. I'm just so confused. Thanks....

 

[ChickNanny13]

@Ravynscroft

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In my experiences Mareks is a young bird problem, but there are many strains of it. I personally have not seen symptoms in an adult bird. Older birds can have troubles walking from other problems, often because they are losing weight. Does he feel thin? Feel his chest and his keel bone, it shouldn't be too sharp feeling.

What are you feeding him? If he's prone to leg injuries than I would guess it's related to that. A 4 year old rooster isn't real old but he's getting up there in age a bit and he could be developing arthritis already.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you try to get a video of him walking tomorrow, and post it to YouTube with a link here? I have not had Mareks in my flock, but many others here have seen it. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last month or more? Flinching in pain sounds a little more like an injury. Does he put the sore leg down or hold it up?

 

[shannon84]

In my experiences Mareks is a young bird problem, but there are many strains of it. I personally have not seen symptoms in an adult bird. Older birds can have troubles walking from other problems, often because they are losing weight. Does he feel thin? Feel his chest and his keel bone, it shouldn't be too sharp feeling.

What are you feeding him? If he's prone to leg injuries than I would guess it's related to that. A 4 year old rooster isn't real old but he's getting up there in age a bit and he could be developing arthritis already.

What's a keel bone? He feels big to me not thin, but he is a buff Orpington, so he feels like all feathers. But he he has been eating up till today, he wants to eat but can't seem to do so. I feed them all flock or feather fixer, right now he is eating layer feed. I put parsley flaks, flax seed, DE , other herbs mixed in. Garlic juice in there too. I'm a newbie so I got that recipe off this chicken book called "fresh eggs daily" they get apple cider vinegar in their water or one day I'll use a probiotic. I only have 3 chickens (including him) I keep their small coop spotless too. He rarely free rages. Only on nice days I'm home. Maybe 3 hours max. Is it a rare condition in older birds? I've only had chickens for 3 years and I don't know any chicken people. Can a bad injury mimic Marek's? He just flops and wings come out and legs are lame. He started that last night!

 

[shannon84]

Could you try to get a video of him walking tomorrow, and post it to YouTube with a link here? I have not had Mareks in my flock, but many others here have seen it. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last month or more? Flinching in pain sounds a little more like an injury. Does he put the sore leg down or hold it up?

No he doesn't seem to baby his leg at all. He just stumbles and kinda falls backwards, like he loses balance. Yesterday evening is when he went paralyzed like. No new birds just his two hens that been with him maybe 3 years now . They seem absolutely fine. It's so confusing. I can do the video, but it looks identical to those Marek's videos. I feel so bad for him, its killing me.

 

[Eggcessive]

The keel is his breastbone, and if it is prominent, it can be a sign of weight loss. His breast muscles can be felt as well. Whenever a chicken experiences lameness, he will use his wings to help propel him or balance his walking. Personally, I would stop all the herbs and ACV, and just feed him his usual chicken feed moistened with some water. Offer a little chopped egg or tuna to coax him to eat. Chopped beef liver is loaded with B vitamins. A chicken sling might be in order, and you can make one easily from hanging a piece of material or mesh with 2 holes for legs and 1 for a poop hole. Place food and water in front of him. Here are some pictures in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Mareks can look different in each case, but many other diseases may look like Mareks. Botulism, poisoning from lead or other toxins, moldy feed, and injuries may look like it. The best way to get it diagnosed is with a necropsy after death, by your state vet. Here is a good article about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[centrarchid]

Can you post a picture of his face and feet? We can get some information from that relating to condition. When I have battled what appeared to be Marek's, mobility issues set in well before weight loss.

 

[shannon84]

The keel is his breastbone, and if it is prominent, it can be a sign of weight loss. His breast muscles can be felt as well. Whenever a chicken experiences lameness, he will use his wings to help propel him or balance his walking. Personally, I would stop all the herbs and ACV, and just feed him his usual chicken feed moistened with some water. Offer a little chopped egg or tuna to coax him to eat. Chopped beef liver is loaded with B vitamins. A chicken sling might be in order, and you can make one easily from hanging a piece of material or mesh with 2 holes for legs and 1 for a poop hole. Place food and water in front of him. Here are some pictures in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Mareks can look different in each case, but many other diseases may look like Mareks. Botulism, poisoning from lead or other toxins, moldy feed, and injuries may look like it. The best way to get it diagnosed is with a necropsy after death, by your state vet. Here is a good article about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

OK great, I'll look into the sling, he is a very aggressive rooster he fights any type of help. He is so lame I could probably get him easily. Would he fight and flop out of the sling you think? Can I get that chopped beef liver at any store? I'll stop the acv and herbs.

 

[shannon84]