Anyone have experience dealing with Marek's?

[shannon84]

No electrolytes unless he is not eating and drinking. If you use electrolytes, stop after a couple of days, since they can cause diarrhea with prolonged use.

I haven't seen him do either but it's been pouring. He wants to eat but he looses balance when he put his head down to pick at it. He is fighting this illness with everything in him I can tell. He doesn't want to give up

 

[centrarchid]

I actually called Purdue yesterday and spoke to a specialist. She thought it was maybe more like an injury or age related illness. But said it very well could still be Marek's. She wants me to shine a flash light in his eyes to see if they change shapes. She asked me to send her a video to their email too.

You maybe hitting a wall on that. Most of the specialist I have met involving poultry are geared more for dealing with commercial flocks. Age of birds in backyard flocks will not be in their usual realm when it comes to health issues that actually deal with. Keep pushing and you are likely to meet up with someone that has appropriate knowledge.

 

[centrarchid]

So should I put him in a dog crate tomorrow? Plain water and what type of foods? He loves blueberries and chicken meat. He isn't big on egss or tuna. Not sure how he feels about greens?

I would put him chick grower as it will be loaded with vitamins. I have yet to have a chicken that would not eat greens.

I use the Manna Pro Chick Starter available at places like TSC. A little 5 lb bag will do.

 

[shannon84]

 

[centrarchid]

I spoke with the lab in my area. The cost for doing the whole sweet of testing, including necropsy, will cost about $150 with parts not needed for Marek's. One bird cost same as 6, more birds cost more. They are also geared for commercial flocks.

 

[shannon84]

I bought this last week. It said appetite stimulation .Is this good?

 

[casportpony]

I bought this last week. It said appetite stimulation .Is this good?

That's good stuff, but it only has B12 and K. I think other people suggested a B complex, so get a B complex too.

 

[Trish1974]

Try Dr. Darrin Karcher:

Darrin M. Karcher, PhD
Assistant Professor, Extension Poultry Scientist
Purdue University
3034 Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences
270 South Russell Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
+1-765-494-4845
[email protected]

He is very helpful and quick to respond to emails. He's going to AI my birds next spring.

 

[shannon84]

Try Dr. Darrin Karcher:

Darrin M. Karcher, PhD
Assistant Professor, Extension Poultry Scientist
Purdue University
3034 Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences
270 South Russell Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
+1-765-494-4845
[email protected]

He is very helpful and quick to respond to emails. He's going to AI my birds next spring.

Thank you so much!!! Are you from Indiana too? I sent a video to some lady at Purdue.

 

[Trish1974]

Thank you so much!!! Are you from Indiana too? I sent a video to some lady at Purdue.

Yep, northern Miami county.