Chick with Possible Marek's - Put Down?!?!

[Atlchick]

"Cooked" scrambled eggs.

 

[juliecox]

*goes to cook for a chicken when she didn't have breakfast herself*

 

[MissCluck]

Too funny... about the breakfast for chickens, I mean.

But honestly, I am sorry that you may have Marek's. I lost a very nice hen to it. I kept her alive trying to treat it longer than I should have. I finally put her down after nearly three weeks - two of being completely paralyzed in the legs and partially in the wings.

Marek's is nasty and although I only lost the one hen from my little flock of six it still concerns me.

I did vaccinate my new chicks for it with vaccine from Jeffers Vet. With shipping, syringes and needles and a little cooler it was $45. The vaccine would have taken care of 100 chicks so it wasn't cost effective for my nine chicks...but I hope this will help them when they are old enough to go out with the others.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
I think they ripped you off. I paid about $16 for a vial that would vaccinate 1000. I only had to vaccinate a few, but it was still cheap.

 

[horsejody]

Next time try these guys.
http://www.twincitypoultrysupplies.com/
The price went up a little since the last time I ordered, but it's $18.95 for the 1000 dose vial now. Shipping was cheap too.

 

[juliecox]

She's inside now, and seems to be more comfortable in her little cardboard box with a waterer, feed and treats. I put a little acorn squash (just the soft pulp) in there and she wolfed that, though she doesn't seem interested in the normal feed. I gave her a scrambled egg, and she's dubious about that. At least she'll be warmer.

She seems to be walking on her "knees," though it's hard for her to balance and she tips around and flaps her wings to keep upright. Poor girl ... I'll do what I can to at least make her comfortable and happy while we wait to see if she'll recover.

 

[aveca]

Boy.....That does sound like mareks doesnt it. If you can keep her eating, that is a good sign. Dont forget just a tiny bit of grit if you wind up feeding like this for a while.

....We lost a flock of dominiques many years ago..They were my pride and joy and they indeed had mareks,all of them, same symptoms, all had to be destroyed. Our vet did it for us .

.One hen survived, thou paralized for quite a long time she never lost interest in eating or drinking, she was the only one whos vision -and head and neck still worked. We had to feed her several times a day by holding her up and putting the food directly in front of her, with a little grits, and kept the back of her very clean.Moved her legs littel at a time, it took long time but she got to where one leg started working then the other but never walked 100 % but got around pretty good.and beleive me she was frozen in posture for a while.legs straight out behind her.

I posted an article in here a while ago, If your chickens breath, they have been exposed to Mareks. It is just everywhere .wild birds can carry it, it just travels on the wind, very contagious.carried in dander, feathers everywhere. We now vaccinate every new hatch for it, A hassel with the tiiming of it and the vaccines but in the end stops a lot of heartach. If I lived closer, I would do it for you .But you can learn to do ityourself. It is not that difficult. newcastles and coccsidosis (sp). You cannot feed antibiotics when you give the cocc vaccine as it will cancel it out at least for a short time. just follow instructions on that.

If you buy any new chickens ask the breeder what thier vaccination policies are. I think as breeders especially those of us who hatch out thier own really need to be on the ball with this. They may offer classes in your area, in the future, its the best money you will ever spend.

 

[juliecox]

Next time I'm soooo vaccinating.

 

[ranchhand]

I suspect it is NOT Marek's - if she and the other chicks have not been exposed to your adult chickens, and none ot the other chicks have any symptoms, I think it's another problem. The best you can do right now is keep her isolated, feed her anything she'll eat and give vitamins.

Then it's wait and see time, lots of patience required. And for you to do that, you need to eat too!

I have 23 very healthy chicks I hatched from Dipsy Doodle Doo's eggs, she has a very clean and healthy flock. I picked up the eggs, so I can attest to that.

Good luck, I really hope she pulls through.

ETA, have you contacted Lisa? She may know what's going on, since she is well experienced with chickens. (Dipsy Doodle Doo)

 

[juliecox]

No, I haven't contacted Lisa; that's a good idea though.

While the older chicks haven't "mixed" with the adult birds, they have been outside in their own little coop. I've heard Marek's is extremely contagious, and it can pass through the air on dander and such. Whatever it is, I think I'm doing all I can at this point. She does look a little more bright-eyed this morning.

*eats breakfast dutifully*