Cuckoo Maran trouble walking and balancing

[Jewelzer]

Sorry you are going through this. I adopted a Serama pullet back in Jan that started limping 4 weeks later. The limp became worse on day 2 of symptoms. She started holding her leg out front and her toes curled under. Her wings seamed weak also on day 2. I took her to the vet on day 3. He said that there was zero swelling and no signs of pain in her joints. It was nerve related. He was very familiar with Marek's and said that he was confident that she had it. The only way to know 100% for sure was to do a necropsy. She lived with 3 other chickens and he recommended I put them down to prevent infectioning my entire flock that live outside. The 4 birds lived inside bc they were so small. One of them had a very pale comb. Another was very lethargic. So 3 out of the 4 were showing symptoms. I had baby chicks on order and due to arrive soon. To avoid losing all my outdoor flock, and all of the new chicks that were on their way, I euthanized the 4 indoor chickens and obsessively bleached the crap out of all my floors, walls and hard surface furniture. Lysoled my couch. And washed all my curtains, clothes, bedding etc. It was horrible and I still cry about it when I think about them. I had to cremate them bc burying them in my yard would infect the yard.
I've had the baby chicks for a few weeks now and so far so good. But I am super paranoid still since it can take several weeks for the virus to show signs. I check on them every hour to 2 hrs.
I am telling you what my vet said about my case to hopefully help you with yours. There seem to be some similarities. As far as separating your kiddo, that's tricky bc the limping has been going on for a long time now and your others have already been exposed for a while if it is Marek's. I'm honestly not sure on that one. Keep us updated on your baby.

 

[KeriannG]

Thank you for sharing. It was very helpful hearing the opinion of your vet. I believe it is Mareks but am hoping for the best and possibly a vitamin B deficiency. I'll start the vitamins tomorrow.

Sorry to hear what happened to your girls - that is heartbreaking.

I'll keep everyone interested posted! I have her inside tonight but plan on letting her outdoors during the day.

Again thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Again thank you. I read the Mareks link you sent - very informative. I think I will let her in the coop as she will be happier. As to your point if it is Mareks then it is already present in the environment to some degree... I also saw one of your other posts on a similar issue regarding vitamin B. Am I correct that 1/4 a tablet daily in her water is the correct dosage? I promise no more questions. Sincerely appreciate the help.

B Complex tablets can be crushed into food or dissolved in the water. I don't know which earlier post you saw, but I would give at least 1/2 tablet. Poultry vitamins are a little more exact on dosage if you follow label directions, but it is hard to overdose B vitamins since excess is excreted by the body. Ask as many questions as you like. Others may chime in and that is what this forum is about.