Botulism.. Marek’s disease?

[Barredrocker99]

So, I posted a few days ago about a five month old BR that seemed to be getting sick. I thought she was getting better.. thought maybe she was just adjusting to the cold temps or maybe was just about to start laying and was in a bit of pain. That’s definitely not the case. I went out to give the girls a treat this morning and make sure their water hadn’t froze over, and noticed my BR wobbling a lot. She would stand there picking at something, and then just kinda lean back and stumble. I’ll attach a couple videos. Her poop was also a bit runny, and didn’t look normal. She’s eating and drinking still, but I’m getting relatively worried... also not sure if I should be separating her from the others. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Videos of BR wobbling below. I put it on Reddit because That was the easiest way to attach it.

1.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Animal/comments/jll7c3

2.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Animal/comments/jll72e

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Have you felt her? Is she extremely thin? Feel on the chest for the keel bone. It should be prominent but not sharp.

 

[Eggcessive]

B12 is not what you need. B complex has all of the B vitamins including B12, but riboflavin (B2) is the one that is important for chicken leg health. Tractor Supply has some chick vitamins that contain riboflavin, but just check the label. Poultry NutriDrench does not have riboflavin. In the long run, human BComplex tablets may be less expensive, and you can use them yourself.
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/nature-made-super-b-complex,-tablets/ID=prod6149174-product

Mareks is usually fatal, although a few may recover within days, only to get the tumors associated with Mareks later. Many people have Mareks in their flocks, and still raise chickens. Also, I cannot diagnose Mareks, and that is why testing or a necropsy if you lose her, would be best.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So, I posted a few days ago about a five month old BR that seemed to be getting sick. I thought she was getting better.. thought maybe she was just adjusting to the cold temps or maybe was just about to start laying and was in a bit of pain. That’s definitely not the case. I went out to give the girls a treat this morning and make sure their water hadn’t froze over, and noticed my BR wobbling a lot. She would stand there picking at something, and then just kinda lean back and stumble.

What do you feed including treats?

I agree, I would give her B-Complex and see it that makes a difference.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We have kept them inside exclusively and been fastidious about cleanliness in their cages

No the DuMor is their main feed, and it’s mainly crumbles, through we had done pellets for a little while. The Flock Party are just treats and they’re usually mealworm, sunflower, raisin, crickets, corn kernels, and peanuts.

Try cutting back on all the treats and focus on their main feed. Provide oyster shell free choice.

I would still give B-Complex too.

Too many treats can dilute their daily nutritional intake, so this is where I would start.

 

[LaFleche]

Did you or maybe a neighbour recently use some kind of rodenticides?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

her poop was bright green today. Should I start worrying? If this is Marek’s... is my whole flock going to die? None of the others are showing any signs whatsoever.

Has any of your feed gotten moldy inside the feeders?

Green may be that she's not eating well. Are you checking her crop at night to see that it's got food in it and the re-checking in the morning that it's empty?

One bird in a flock may become symptomatic with Marek's, while others may never show symptoms.
Is she worse today?

 

[Barredrocker99]

Did you or maybe a neighbour recently use some kind of rodenticides?

Not that I know of, and we certainly didn’t. We live in the woods with a good amount of land in between us and any of our neighbors, also.

 

[Barredrocker99]

If she's been eating then it may feel a little hard with food in there.
Check it first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat/drink.

Were you able to find some B-Complex?

Yes, I gave her some last night and I’m giving her some in a about an hour. It seems to have made quite a difference, she walked out into the snow about an hour ago, is pecking around as normal, and even running around a little bit. That being said, she’s still just a little bit wobbly. She is still eating and drinking, so I’ll try to check her crop tomorrow before they all get up.

 

[Barredrocker99]

Have you felt her? Is she extremely thin? Feel on the chest for the keel bone. It should be prominent but not sharp.

It’s pretty sharp. Definitely thinner than my other BR