Anyone have experience dealing with Marek's?

[shannon84]

So I read the whole thread and I think it looks more like Marek's than anything else. But if he were mine I would try to treat for the other stuff just in case.

Is taking him to a vet an option? There was an episode on one of those vet shows where someone brought in a limping rooster that recovered after antibiotic treatment.

If he were mine, I would go into full blown treatment mode and treat for worms, coccidiosis, bacterial infection, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I would also give start tubing fluids, then tube fluids and baby bird food.

He's a bird and needs lots of fluids! A small buff Orpington weighs about 8 pounds, a large one 10 pounds.

An 8 pound bird needs 6 ounces of water per day.
A 10 pound bird needs 8 ounces of water per day.

Dehydration and mineral deficiencies can look like Marek's too, so I suggest that you think about learning to tube.

My mom and I are going to tube water him. I just got to go to his left or right side? I know I can't put anything in that center hole right? Been watching videos . I know getting that beak open might be a challenge

 

[centrarchid]

My mom and I are going to tube water him. I just got to go to his left or right side? I know I can't put anything in that center hole right? Been watching videos . I know getting that beak open might be a challenge

If he is eating and drinking on his own, then do not force it.

 

[centrarchid]

That's so wild and strange, such a complicated disease. I was reading in a chicken book at tractor supply today about Marek's, kinda wish I hadn't read it. It said the time symptoms show death is sure to come. If this is Marek's it kind of turns me off frombowning chickens, I don't want to live in fear of getting attached to a chicken and watch it waste away before my eyes .So depressing! I really enjoy them. But I got to be positive. You are raising a healthy flock with no signs of Marek's now.

Keeping chickens is loaded with all kinds of challenges. I am dealing with an odd one know. It is just of keeping them as you cannot always have complete biosecurity.

 

[shannon84]

I went out there this morning, he is still in his coop, I gave him wet chick starter mash he picked at it, I put a shallow small water in front of him, didn't drink it, I rubbed his legs he didn't fight me or flinch. He is very alert though. I need him to drink I would feel a heck of a lot better.

 

[casportpony]

My mom and I are going to tube water him. I just got to go to his left or right side? I know I can't put anything in that center hole right? Been watching videos . I know getting that beak open might be a challenge

The tube needs to be inserted down the righthand side of their neck.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully @rebrascora will chime in with some information on how she deals with Mareks in her flock. We used to be able to post some of the good Mareks links in the past from BYC members who had gotten a diagnosis and then had to decide how to go about dealing with their birds.

Vaccination at the hatchery for day old chicks can be done, and if chicks are kept from exposure to dust and dander for the first 2-3 weeks, they may be able to live without getting symptoms of the disease. Mareks can last months to years in a coop and facilities. Some sources say as much as 7 years ince chickens are gone. Any chickens with Mareks will make all new chickens carriers, whether or not they get the symptoms of the disease. Some try to breed the chickens who do not seem to get the disease, since some seem to have natural resistance. I have never dealt with it so far, and I don’t know of any in my area who have seen it. But some believe the disease is everywhere.

 

[shannon84]

Well I just had a small victory! He got out of his coop around 9:30 he ate his mash, still paralyzed, that was great he ate a lot , but I hadn't seen him drink yet.... so I put water in a small low leveled tuberware bowl with the save-A-chick electrolyte in it, I crawled in there slowly and moved very slow and pushed it up to his head, his favorite hen started to drink out of it he looked very interested but did nothing, I set in the mud outside the run just starring and praying for him to drink, I got to thinking I better move it closer so I pushed it up against his neck/wattle moved out slowly the hen came back drinking out of it, droplets of water was falling out of her mouth onto his head and beak, all the sudden he dunked his whole mouth in the water and started drinking Like crazy!!! Like non stop!!! I had tears of joy!!!! Sun is coming out he is looking motivated now! I hope he stands up! So if he eats and drinks, that's a great sign right? Thank you @Eggcessive for all that information! I hope it's not Marek's but it sure looks it unfortunately. My sister is picking me up live meal worms at the pet store! How many can I toss in there. It's him and two hens. I'm asking because I tend to go overboard with snacks and food....Thanks guys!!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad that he is drinking. I haven’t ever used mealworms, but I would just feed a few. The watery feed is really good for him because of the water it contains, plus the balanced nutrients. I give choped egg sometimes, or maybe bits of tuna or salmon, but mostly feed. It makes you happy I know to see him eat.

 

[shannon84]

Glad that he is drinking. I haven’t ever used mealworms, but I would just feed a few. The watery feed is really good for him because of the water it contains, plus the balanced nutrients. I give choped egg sometimes, or maybe bits of tuna or salmon, but mostly feed. It makes you happy I know to see him eat.

Oh ok, I'll not go overboard then! That's the only time he drank for me that I seen of, I bought him some beef liver (looks nasty) I guess I cook that. He has had too many raisins. That's what I thought too, that's one way to get water in him....I sprinkle electrolytes in there too. He seems to have a few good hours of perkiness, and maybe an hour later when I go back out I'll be convinced he is dying...Seems to Come in waves I'm guessing. He tried to flop his body in the coop, I had to help him in again. One of his toes looks bruised . It's crazy 5 days ago I had a mean attack rooster, now he is this helpless scared baby that doesn't attempt to even bite me now. He doesn't much care for tuna or eggs (unless it's raw eggs) it makes me so happy to see him eat and drink. Anytime in my life I've had an animal stop eating or drinking for me on their own has always died on me

 

[Eggcessive]

It is good that he is getting his appetite back. I would look into making a chicken sling, just in case you need it at some point.They can be made simply with a piece of mesh laundry bag or almost any material. The link for examples in back in post 7, as well as the very detailed article about Mareks disease.