Can someone tell me what this is and how to treat it? Marek's?? *photos*

[Haunted55]

They were previously in an outdoor mini coop with a run. Inside the coop there was hay bedding, I changed it weekly sometimes twice weekly and it did get pretty gross sometimes before I could get in there and clean it good. They are now in a full size (huge) coop and it is much easier to keep clean because of the size.

Okay did putting them into a different coop cause any change? Did you build the coop yourself or was it one of the kits made with osb? It could have something to do with the building materials. I'm just looking for anything here that could cause an eye irritation and show the symptoms you have talked about. Where you never mention any paralysis in these birds or any trouble walking, I am hoping it's something else besides the Marek's that you thought it might be. Has the antibiotic shown any improvement in them? I know you just started but sometimes you can see something to make you think it is working.

 

[chocolateeggs]

Okay did putting them into a different coop cause any change? Did you build the coop yourself or was it one of the kits made with osb? It could have something to do with the building materials. I'm just looking for anything here that could cause an eye irritation and show the symptoms you have talked about. Where you never mention any paralysis in these birds or any trouble walking, I am hoping it's something else besides the Marek's that you thought it might be. Has the antibiotic shown any improvement in them? I know you just started but sometimes you can see something to make you think it is working.

I built the coop myself. They started having the issue before I moved them though. Also, there is no paralysis ect ect. They all act fine that I can tell except the eyes are still puffy in a few of them and watery.

 

[Haunted55]

I built the coop myself. They started having the issue before I moved them though. Also, there is no paralysis ect ect. They all act fine that I can tell except the eyes are still puffy in a few of them and watery.

Antibiotic then and watch. If they get better with the antibiotic and show no other symptoms you should be good. This doesn't mean it's not something like MG. It could be and that can be as bad or worse than Marek's. It seems to me it's a waiting game now. If it were me and it has been for different reasons, I would get some Oxine and use it. it can't hurt and it may be the saving of your birds. If it is one of the infectious diseases, the Oxine will help keep everything working on an even keel. It won't get rid of it but will give what you hav a fighting chance for survival. Please do not sell, give away, or in any other way spread these birds or their offspring around. If it's Marek's, which I doubt or MG, I suspect, you do not want to give away. You would be condemming someone elses flock if you did so. Close your flock, nothing in, nothing out until you know for sure what you are dealing with there.

 

[realsis]

any update on how she is doing? please let us know! I'm sure hoping she's getting better! please keep us posted. thanks

 

[chocolateeggs]

I am definitely not going to sell them, that would be horrible. However I would like to get one of them tested just to see what it is for future reference so I can hatch and sell the eggs later. Do they have to be dead to test? Or can I just bring one in and they can do a blood test? Because if it is just conjunctivitis it would be a shame to never sell any eggs ect.

Also worth noting: A woman that I know took four of my chicks several weeks ago, before any of this started and I recently emailed her to tell her to watch out for this bc hers may have it too and she said hers were fine and had no issue.

Also: She raises hers on medicated feed and I do not. This was the only difference I could see between how they were being raised. So maybe it is a bacterial infection of sorts that was nipped in the bud with her medicated feed and progressed with my non medicated feed.

 

[Simeo]

Cocci? Just a thought but from what I read about Cocci the chicks become very drowsy looking but the poop will be quite nasty. Here's a thread which might answer any questions on that: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/90731/cocci-what-it-looks-like-and-what-we-did-warning-poop-shots

I'm sorry, I didn't catch if you said anything about the condition of the poop. Poop can say a lot.

Here's a poop chart to identify any issues: http://pluckandfeather.com/chicken-poo-chart-graphic.html

 

[chocolateeggs]

Ok so I read this off of another thread and it was pretty startling... it said 80-90% of ALL backyard flocks have MG in them, sedentary or active. What is your opinion on this?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/600566/mg-certified-hatcheries-breeders/30

 

[Haunted55]

Ok so I read this off of another thread and it was pretty startling... it said 80-90% of ALL backyard flocks have MG in them, sedentary or active. What is your opinion on this?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/600566/mg-certified-hatcheries-breeders/30

I have to agree. Look at it this way....there are only so many hatcheries, they use satellite houses for the breeding of their stock and the raising. Some of the hatcheries don't use the same care, in my opinion, that a couple of others do. I can think of one that has had some very real and seriouse issues with their birds. Yes I do firmly believe that some of the hatcheries and breeders are selling birds with this in their flocks. You have to be extremely careful of where you purchase your birds.

Now, if the birds you gave away or sold, whatever, are not showing symptoms, I would think very hard about what could have happened with the ones you have. Did anyone other than you enter their house? Did you buy any used equipment for them? Feeders, waterer? Did you wear your 'barn' shoes out in public some place? Have they been exposed to any wild birds or their droppings? This could be something latent in these birds but it seems more environmental or something introduced since the others are not showing any signs. Have you got a Vet nearby who has Avian qualifications? They can do blood tests for some of the diseases. I'm not sure just what someone local could do, but it's worth an ask.

 

[chocolateeggs]

I have about 10 acres and walk all over it with my "barn" shoes... so there is no telling. I do not have a hatchery set up. Mine are kept outdoors in a safe and clean setup with new feeders and waterers, but I do not put on special clothes or shoes to take care of them.

 

[Haunted55]

I have about 10 acres and walk all over it with my "barn" shoes... so there is no telling. I do not have a hatchery set up. Mine are kept outdoors in a safe and clean setup with new feeders and waterers, but I do not put on special clothes or shoes to take care of them.

Start. Plain and simple. Even if this turns out to be a simple case of conjuctivitus or some other irritant to the eyes caused by who knows what...you seriously need to start practising biosecurity. I'm not talking white suit and breathing apparatus, but simple common sense things like a set pair of shoes or boots for taking care of the birds. Where you've had this scare, you might want to think about cleaning your feet from one house to the next. A simple basin with 1/2 bleach and 1/2 water to step into with a bootscrubber immerseded in it, a spray bottle with the same, to spray the boots or shoes. Or even plastic bags pulled over the shoes before you enter and thrown away when you leave. Wally World bags work great for this and are free. It also gives you something to do with the plastic bags from them and others that seem to be so much of our lives now. Please listen to this....biosecurity is a very best friend to you and anyone who keeps animals. Start thinking this way and it soon becomes second nature and is no big deal. I have hand sanitation set up in all of my houses, when it's above freesing I use the baths for my shoes and also the bags over them. I let no one into my houses who has not cleaned themselves up and is willing to use the same precautions I am. Something as simple as a friend 'dropping by' can become the doom of your flocks. I look at it this way...my Mom died from a rare type of cancer, now when she was going through chemo and even after she gave up, no one in and no one out. And if for some reason I did have to let someone into the house, doctor, family member with needed stuff, they had to 'clean up' before they got beyond the door. Painter's suit over their clothing, bags on their feet, and a whole lot of hand sanitizer. Face, hands, hair...anything not covered. If I had to go out to the store myself or some such thing, when I came back I would strip down on the porch and change clothing from the skin out. Extreme, but I wanted my Mom to live as long as she could. The point here is this, I don't think you need to go to those extremes with your birds, but think, a little bit of prevention goes a long way in keeping our feathered friends healthy.