Can an Ocular Marek's hen ever return to the flock?

[Moomie]

I have a hen with ocular Merek's. She was only 6 weeks old when she got it and is now 22 weeks. I noticed her not opening one eye. I tried treating with antibiotics and saline. She seemed to open it more but it was gray and bulging. I was able to find a vet and she confirmed it was Merek's. Over the next week the eye seemed to get larger and she seemed less active. Back to the vet - we actually had the eye removed. Within 24 hours she was so much better and more active. Now she is happy, healthy and laying eggs. As others have said, if 1 has it they have all been exposed and no need to separate. I love my little one-eyed girl and I'm happy with our decision. I know it's not the decision everyone would make but my chickens are pets and I will do what I can to help. None of my other chickens have shown other signs of the disease. Best of luck!

 

[khind]

That's wonderful to hear that you've been able to give your girl some real relief.

Unfortunately, my girl's condition declined so much so that a few weeks ago she was no longer able to gauge the distance or direction of her feed even while I held the bowl for her. Suddenly the only meals she was eating were what I fed her in the a.m., and 10 hrs later when I got home, plus some food again in the evening. It took so much of her energy to peck for food over and over to just get one or two bites. Her weight dropped, she slept even more, and she also suddenly couldn't gauge where to jump on the roost bar to sleep (one of the first signs of her worsening condition was when she gave up calculating where to jump and opted to sleep on the coop floor instead. That night I pulled her out of there and set her down to sleep in the run on the softest spot with a gentle breeze.)

I tried some more to make life a healthy, comfortable, non-exhausting experience for her... But a few days later I knew the right thing for her was to let her body rest completely.

RIP my sweet Scarlet. You are missed and still dearly loved.

 

[Moomie]

That's wonderful to hear that you've been able to give your girl some real relief.

Unfortunately, my girl's condition declined so much so that a few weeks ago she was no longer able to gauge the distance or direction of her feed even while I held the bowl for her. Suddenly the only meals she was eating were what I fed her in the a.m., and 10 hrs later when I got home, plus some food again in the evening. It took so much of her energy to peck for food over and over to just get one or two bites. Her weight dropped, she slept even more, and she also suddenly couldn't gauge where to jump on the roost bar to sleep (one of the first signs of her worsening condition was when she gave up calculating where to jump and opted to sleep on the coop floor instead. That night I pulled her out of there and set her down to sleep in the run on the softest spot with a gentle breeze.)

I tried some more to make life a healthy, comfortable, non-exhausting experience for her... But a few days later I knew the right thing for her was to let her body rest completely.

RIP my sweet Scarlet. You are missed and still dearly loved.

So sorry for your loss. Sounds like you did everything you could to keep her comfortable. It's really all we can do.

 

[khind]

Thank you. And I agree - that's all we can do.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thank you for sharing your journey, @khind. Blessings to you and your flock.