Anything other than Marek's?! (Video)

[LinzeeBrie]

Shimmer and Rose are 6 week old Cochins (both videos are of Shimmer). Two nights ago, their mama weaned them and slept up on the roost while they slept on the floor of the coop. The next day, they were both having a very hard time walking. Legs splaying, wings coming out for balance, etc They seem alert, and they're perfectly interested in food (maybe slightly less so in water, but they've definitely had a decent amount). Today Shimmer (video) seems even worse. Her left leg is almost completely unresponsive ... Rose can occasionally walk slightly uproad for a step or 2. They're both breathing/gasping rapidly now though...
I've had them for 2 weeks (adopted along with the rest of their little flock). They're eating 16%non-gma layer pellet, some chick crumble, and a few snacks (oatmeal, cottage cheese, greens, corn, bread...). Climate is moderate right now - the night they slept "alone" it was 9• Celsius. Could they have lasting effects from being too cold?! Could they have gotten identical injuries while trying to get onto the roost with mama?!? Previous owner is sure she's never had Marek's in her flock..... What should I do? Are they suffering? She sounds a little distressed in this video, but that's from being handled more than anything else I think. Their poop doesn't set off any major warning bells for me - maybe slightly more runny and smelly?
(Excuse my mama voice )

 

[LinzeeBrie]

@Wyorp Rock here's my more detailed post... Everybody else in the flock seems perfectly okay; aside from the fact that nobody is laying. Five are just coming out of broodiness though, so I don't expect any consistency from them yet. My austrolorp was laying well though and has stopped completely in the last five days or so.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They're eating 16%non-gma layer pellet, some chick crumble, and a few snacks (oatmeal, cottage cheese, greens, corn, bread...).

Are they having trouble breathing now?

Layer pellets have too much calcium for chicks this young, give them chick starter only and cut out the treats.
They are growing so need at least 18% protein. Anything you give "extra" dilutes the nutritional intake.

I'm still inclined to think they are suffering from Marek's as we discussed in your other thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ins-suddenly-cant-walk.1269721/#post-20406795 but they could also be nutrient deficient as well.

Chick Starter along with poultry vitamins for a few days - see if that makes a difference.

 

[LinzeeBrie]

I think they've been eating more 16% layer than they've been eating their starter I totally failed in that regard - i just asked the previous owner what the flock was eating, and didn't think/know about the fact that the chicks shouldn't be getting so much calcium!! Bad bad chicken mama Could this be what's wrong?!? Still seems odd that it happened at exactly the same time, and on weaning day; but I'm sure it doesn't help
ETA: @Wyorp Rock we were typing at the same time.

 

[LinzeeBrie]

Their breathing seems normal now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think they've been eating more 16% layer than they've been eating their starter I totally failed in that regard - i just asked the previous owner what the flock was eating, and didn't think/know about the fact that the chicks shouldn't be getting so much calcium!! Bad bad chicken mama Could this be what's wrong?!? Still seems odd that it happened at exactly the same time, and on weaning day; but I'm sure it doesn't help
ETA: @Wyorp Rock we were typing at the same time.

Too much Calcium in chicks can cause kidney damage.

It would be hard to know if the feed caused this or not.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mystery-disease-help.1198384/#post-18965970

 

[Cyprus]

I'm thinking Marek's brought on by the stress of being weaned.

I have a 4 months old chick going through the same thing. Soon I will have an answer about whether or not it is Marek's.

 

[LinzeeBrie]

Oh please no... that's two of you now that think Marek's? I spent months and months building the "perfect coop", and 2.5 weeks in we might have a devastating disease that basically makes my property a death trap for a year??? . I'd say "the KIDS will be crushed", but I doubt I'd be fooling anyone.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh please no... that's two of you now that think Marek's? I spent months and months building the "perfect coop", and 2.5 weeks in we might have a devastating disease that basically makes my property a death trap for a year??? . I'd say "the KIDS will be crushed", but I doubt I'd be fooling anyone.

You don't know for sure if it's Marek's or not.

Quite a few people here on BYC have Marek's in their flock. It's not necessarily a death sentence. IMO, you will need to keep a closed flock (no selling/trading chicken or showing chickens).
Some manage symptoms as they arise or they may cull birds that are not doing well.

I do hate to be the bringer of even worse news (?) Marek's can last in the environment for years, not just 1 year.
Here is the best article I know of about Marek's. It's by @Nambroth who does have Marek's. She did a lot of research and put it all together. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

@rebrascora also has Marek's and I'm sure she can give you words of encouragement.

Take a deep breath....your going to be o.k. Get these babies on vitamins and chick starter, keep them drinking/eating and go from there.

 

[LinzeeBrie]

Uggggh, did I make another mistake?!? I bought B complex, E, and selenium (which is reeeally hard to dose, by the way!)... So I thought I was getting things rolling; but then I bought medicated starter . It was the only high protein feed available (at the only open feed store on the long weekend).... how much of the vitamins will be blocked by the feed?!?