Anyone have experience dealing with Marek's?

[shannon84]

My roosters eat layer most of the time with no problems. Since all my chickens have stopped laying, I have them all on flock raiser.

I agree that I wouldn’t panic. Yes he is sick, and and he needs warmth and fluids plus food. He just needs nursing care right now in case he recovers. @rebrascora deals with Mareks in her flock, and she has a mild strain where she sees some chickens become lame and recover. But that is not the usual outcome. Remember that Mareks is best diagnosed with a necropsy where they test feather shafts and tumor tissue. In Mareks tumors can grow along nerves, inside the body on organs, on the skin, and along eye nerves causing eye color and pupil changes.

In botulism, a disease caused by eating a tiny amount of toxin from dead animals or plants in an environment without oxygen (such as underwater or buried under ground,) chickens and other fowl may become paralyzed. That paralysis starts in the toes, feet, legs and works up the spinal nerves to the neck eventually suffocating them. This is sometimes confused with Mareks.

That's my biggest fear is him suffocating from this or any illness. That's a terrible feeling. It's crazy to me because he doesn't get out a whole lot but I guess that doesn't matter. Maybe he came from a Marek's diseased place? He was a stray.

 

[Eggcessive]

When I have a sick chicken I will hold a small cup or lid of water up to their beak. If they won’t drink, I will dip the beak to let them know it is there. Tube feeding can be done as well if you want to be agressive. With possible Mareks, I personally would be reluctant, but there are good threads and videos on how to learn.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some links about tube feeding:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/

 

[casportpony]

Those are great videos! I'm here to help if anyone wants to learn, just tag me (@casportpony). If I don't reply to a tag, tag me again or send me a message.

 

[shannon84]

My roosters eat layer most of the time with no problems. Since all my chickens have stopped laying, I have them all on flock raiser.

I agree that I wouldn’t panic. Yes he is sick, and and he needs warmth and fluids plus food. He just needs nursing care right now in case he recovers. @rebrascora deals with Mareks in her flock, and she has a mild strain where she sees some chickens become lame and recover. But that is not the usual outcome. Remember that Mareks is best diagnosed with a necropsy where they test feather shafts and tumor tissue. In Mareks tumors can grow along nerves, inside the body on organs, on the skin, and along eye nerves causing eye color and pupil changes.

In botulism, a disease caused by eating a tiny amount of toxin from dead animals or plants in an environment without oxygen (such as underwater or buried under ground,) chickens and other fowl may become paralyzed. That paralysis starts in the toes, feet, legs and works up the spinal nerves to the neck eventually suffocating them. This is sometimes confused with Mareks.

Why is he eating layer? Have read it shouldnt be fed to Roos/chicks due to the calcium increase possibly causing liver/kidney damage Feed him All Flock or the Feather Fixer, put out a separate dish of Oyster Shells for the hens.

Also agree about the Riboflavin deficiency possibility due to the "curled toes". Keep us updated to any changes.

Why is he eating layer? Have read it shouldnt be fed to Roos/chicks due to the calcium increase possibly causing liver/kidney damage Feed him All Flock or the Feather Fixer, put out a separate dish of Oyster Shells for the hens.

Also agree about the Riboflavin deficiency possibility due to the "curled toes". Keep us updated to any changes.

I know, I don't know why I did that. I just get mixed information from people on layer feed. I should of stuck with all flock

 

[shannon84]

When I have a sick chicken I will hold a small cup or lid of water up to their beak. If they won’t drink, I will dip the beak to let them know it is there. Tube feeding can be done as well if you want to be agressive. With possible Mareks, I personally would be reluctant, but there are good threads and videos on how to learn.

I'll do the beak dip. He is a wild one and I don't see him letting me do the the tube unfortunately.

 

[shannon84]

Here are some links about tube feeding:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/

Thank you!!!

 

[casportpony]

I'll do the beak dip. He is a wild one and I don't see him letting me do the the tube unfortunately.

Even the wildest can be tube fed.

 

[shannon84]

Even the wildest can be tube fed.

Haha, I can try if it comes to that. It'll be interesting. He likes to bite. Do they get cold or something with Marek's?

 

[casportpony]

Haha, I can try if it comes to that. It'll be interesting. He likes to bite. Do they get cold or something with Marek's?

If you can catch him and hold him you can tube.

When birds are sick they are usually cold.