Cockerel can't walk. Please help!

[Collette Cullen]

Dropping a faecal sample off at the poultry vets tonight

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hmm..I've never heard of being able to test for Marek's through a fecal test, unless they have something new I don't know about - I would be interested to find out.

Usually testing is performed on the body of a bird that is submitted - Mareks is tested with a PCR test on feather shafts or tumor tissue in the bird (necropsy).

 

[Collette Cullen]

I'm not sure how they do it? I can find out. It's Retford Poultry vets

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not sure how they do it? I can find out. It's Retford Poultry vets

Yes, please do find out what type of testing they are doing - it will be interesting to know.

 

[Collette Cullen]

Hi, he does have mareks. I'll be honest I was that shocked when they told me I didn't ask how they test for it. If you Google retford poultry vets you'll see the testing on there. He's still hanging on bless him

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi, he does have mareks. I'll be honest I was that shocked when they told me I didn't ask how they test for it. If you Google retford poultry vets you'll see the testing on there. He's still hanging on bless him

I'm sorry to hear he has Marek's
Sometimes they can show some improvement. It sounds like you are doing everything you can for him.
@rebrascora is in the UK and deals with Marek's in her flock. Hopefully she will chime in with some tips for you.
I hope he starts to show some improvement..
Thanks for the info and update - I will look up the Vet to see how they do the testing
Keep us posted.

 

[Collette Cullen]

He had to be force fed today. Went out at half past two, came back at six and he's just gone. Heartbroken
Now the Campbell duck he lived with is going mad whacking. I think she misses him

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm so sorry You did everything you could for him - Marek's can be such a frustrating disease - some improvement, then a sharp decline.

The poor duck - I'm sure she misses him - did they grow up together?
I'm not that knowledgeable about ducks - but she may enjoy another duck to hang with or if she liked the rooster - she may accept a mild tempered chicken hen like a Buff Orpington(?) I just don't know.

 

[Collette Cullen]

That's the second cockerel she's outlived lol. The first one was a bantam of some description. He was only four when he died. His crop was impacted, had him operated on but he died afterwards. Id really like another cockerel but im petrified it'll catch mareks. How long should I leave it? Will disinfectant or anything kill the virus off in the garden and pen?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Marek's can last a long time in the environment.
It won't hurt to disinfect, but how effective it is, is hard to know. Having a new bird vaccinated may help, but it all depends on the strain. The thing is - even if vaccinated that only prevents tumors, it doesn't prevent infection from the virus. It's a complicated mess. This article is one of the best that I've found that explains it http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq