Could it be Marek's?

[ndjili]

Earlier this summer I lost 2 of my 3 hens to an attack and managed to help the third one's injuries heal. I bought 3 new pullets to replace the ones I lost (only allowed a small flock in my city). Right away they had bloody stool issues so I gave them medicine for coccidiosis and managed to pull them away from death's door. Things were going well until 2 1/2 weeks ago I found one of the pullets dead on the floor of the coop. She had seemed happy and healthy up to that point. then 3 days ago another pullet started limping. They are about 24 weeks old but judging by the size and color of the combs and wattles they are still weeks away from laying. I have checked the leg and foot and can't see any signs of injury at this point. I'm worried that it could be Marek's at this point
I'm not quite sure what to do or what to look for. Any information will help.

 

[chicknmania]

Sure it could be, but it could be a lot of things. Whenever you get new birds, quarantine them for three weeks to a month before you allow them to mix with your existing flock. Marek's is very hard to pin point, because for one thing the symptoms can vary a lot...and also neurological issues and/ or lameness can have a lot of causes. If she were mine I would put her in a small pen or cage, so that she can move about but not run, jump, or fly much, if at all. And start by giving her baby aspirin a couple of times a day, in a treat. Feel the hip too and compare with the other one to see if maybe one is misaligned. If all seems normal, just continue with the treatment I mentioned, and monitor her. Watch to make sure that she is eating and drinking normally. If the lameness gets worse, and there's no apparent cause, you can try Hypericum Perforatum. There's a whole thread on this stuff ( thread is titled St John's Wart)..I've had success with it sometimes, a lot of people have, but success results will vary from excellent to no help at all. I think it's worth a try. You can also give her vitamins, poultry specific vitamins are best, but baby vitamins work too. I like Rooster Booster B & K for sick or injured birds, and it's available at most feed stores. There are other vitamins for poultry there, too. If you have another bird die, definitely consider a necropsy to determine the cause. Contact your State Ag department for assistance in how to get one.

She could also just have pulled a muscle or sustained a similar injury, which is why I suggested the small cage. If you're lucky, that's all it is, and she will recover eventually, but it can take weeks if they have an injury. Or sometimes just a matter of days.

If it's Marek's, you might notice dull eyes, gradual stiffness or paralysis of wings or legs, progressive lameness, inability to stand, rolling on their back, sometimes convulsions or diarrhea, sometimes loss of (or increase of) appetite, or wry neck or stargazing (twisting of the neck). The only way to definitely confirm Marek's is by necropsy. It's very common, but not all birds will show symptoms. Some do die with no symptoms at all, and some don't ever seem to be affected by it, and live normal lives. And, as I said, there are other conditions which can mimic Marek's, including worms in some cases. . And there are lots of conditions that can cause sudden death.

Have you dewormed your birds?

 

[ndjili]

I kept these birds away from my older hen for 2 months as they were small and the older hen was healing from injuries. I have added apple cider vinegar and potty vitamins to the water several days ago. She has times where she looks good and times where she looks sad. Do far it's just the leg and nothing else. I'll get some aspirin and try that and I deepened them when I got them as, sadly, they came from a filthy place. But ill deworming again. I do have her in a smaller coop I have but might just keep her
In the house part for now.

 

[chicknmania]

You don't say what you used to deworm with, but a broad spectrum dewormer is best. Wazine only kills roundworms, in case you don't know. Keep her happy, so I always think it's important they can hear and see their friends while in hospital cage. And goodies help keep them cheerful and also encourage them to eat. Scrambled eggs, chopped hard boiled egg, minced fruit (especially green grapes), applesauce, yogurt, and soft bread soaked in buttermilk are all favorites for our sick or injured birds. Also minced tomato and banana. I mix any of those with their regular feed, which always is mostly dampened crumbles if they are not eating well. Sometimes, I give them just dampened crumbles, and they like those too.