Chicken might have Marek's Disease, help!

[byenglin]

Hi all,

Just got a few new chickens from a buddy after 4 of ours had gotten killed by a fox. Noticed that it was acting blind when it got home and now I think it has Marek's Disease. So my questions are: 1. Is it Marek's or something else? 2. Should I euthanize both of them and then just wait to see what happens to the adult chicken and the chicks that it was in proximity with? Help!

 

[Jenessa_096]

Hmm, do you have a picture of the whole body? I’d it just that hen?

 

[byenglin]

Hmm, do you have a picture of the whole body? I’d it just that hen?

I don't see anything wrong with the other hen that I got but I attached a picture of her eye for reference (the blue plymouth rock). The Rhode Island Red is the one I'm concerned about.

 

[byenglin]

The Rhode Island Red also is blind. I placed it on a cinder block and it fell off and also couldn't peck the nipple of our waterer.

 

[Jenessa_096]

Hmm, I would hold off sorry I’m not an expert but if it’s not confirmed I think you should just watch her behavior. Does she have good use in her eyes? I would confine her because Mareks disease is contagious..

 

[Jenessa_096]

The Rhode Island Red also is blind. I placed it on a cinder block and it fell off and also couldn't peck the nipple of our waterer.

Oh..

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

The RIR is showing symptoms of ocular Marek’s. Your other hens most likely carry it too, since it’s spread through feather dander. The blue rock is certainly carrying it, though she does not appear to have symptoms. I believe ocular Marek’s is a different strain from the type of Marek’s that causes paralysis (classic Marek’s).
This article will help you learn more about Marek’s: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/.