Half Blind Leghorn! MAREKS! I STILL NEED HELP!!!!

[matthewschickens]

At all?

 

[usschicago1]

I think she is permently blind in that eye but it shouldnt spread. It mad it out of the disease in pretty good shap IMO

 

[mypicklebird]

It looks like classic ocular Marek's unfortunately. Not much else looks like that. If she didn't look like that at hatch, it is probably not a birth defect. Sorry. I would remove that bird from the flock and have it necropsied at your state lab if possible, you need to know if you have Marek's of any type in your flock.

 

[matthewschickens]

Will it spread to my other hens?

Thanks!

 

[matthewschickens]

Anyone?

 

[AmyBella]

Hi Matthew,

Sorry you have to deal with this! It can be so stressful when something is wrong in the flock.

I wish I knew the best way to proceed, but everyone deals with this sort of thing differently. I think if I was in your shoes I would call the state poultry extension (http://www.ext.vt.edu/offices/ huh... the link says VT, but it actually is VA!)) and explain the situation. I know that in my state they will actually come out and inspect the flock and vaccinate for free. In MA they will also perform a necropsy on the bird, but obviously you would have to cull her first. Personally, I would not cull her. I think she has survived the disease. BUT, she will be a carrier and she has exposed the rest of the flock. This is something to consider if you want to bring in new birds.

She's had this eye problem for maybe three weeks now? None of the other birds are sick and Linda does not have any of the other symptoms of Marek's. (Paralysis/difficulty walking, tumors, weight loss) I take that as a good sign that your flock is healthy enough to overcome this outbreak. But I have to say that this is only my opinion and what little knowledge I have comes from reading books and the forums.

I thought this thread had some interesting information from "threehorses" on the subject. Check it out if you haven't seen it already. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=217385&p=1

 

[Airilith]

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It is in Virginia! It vt.edu because the extension office is run by Virginia Tech. Through them you can get in touch with some truly great poultry people. Go Hokies!

I would be heartened by the lack of other symptoms. But Linda should really be isolated just in case. I know nothing about Marek's unfortunately. I wish I could say more to help. Do try to get in touch with the Extension Office. I think they'll really be able to help you.

 

[mypicklebird]

They have all been exposed, but adult birds are typically more resistant. If they are over 2 years old, they have a good amount of age related immunity. If this is Marek's you should remove her from the flock, not so much to protect the adult hens (they are exposed already), but to decrease the contamination of your property. The virus is spread in dander, and is long lived in the environment. The longer you harbor a carrier, the more virus is being dumped into the environment. This will matter greatly when you hatch eggs, or bring in new chicks- which are the ones at most risk. The eye looks like that (if this is Marek's) as there is a tumor infiltrating the iris of the bird. This is not a bird that has 'survived the virus' but has a tumor, which will grow - and will in most cases eventually cause more symptoms than decreased vision. There are several forms/presentations of this disease. The leg paralysis aka range paralysis is just the most common, and the most well known in BY chicken keepers. Ocular Marek's is well described, just less common. It is the same virus, just a less common presentation. Get her tested for the good of the flock. Sad for her, but you do need to know, sooner rather than later what you are dealing with.

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[seminolewind]

My roo was euthanized a month ago. For the prior 2 weeks, he started getting wobbly, then he couldn't walk, then his wing hung, then his eye went funny looking, then he would peck at his food and miss, he was skin and bones. The last thing was that if he put his head down, he would leave it there for 20 minutes before he tried to lift it again. He was posturing one leg back, one leg forward.
In all this time, he was happy, cheerful, eating , drinking, crowing, and loved chatting with me. The vet did a necropsy and didn't find any tumors. The vet said in his opinion, the chicken had encephalitis. But the more I think about it, and read about it, I just still think it may have been Mareks. There are several types. One attacks the eye, one the nerves, and one makes tumors on the organs. Mine may have not had tumors, but he had eye and nerve damage.
He was 2 years old. I don't have any other chickens that have symptoms. In 2 years, I've only added one silkie pullet last spring.
Hope that helps you a bit. I, too, have no idea where it came from.

 

[matthewschickens]

Thanks Everyone!!!

We did seperate her with another chicken friend so she is not with the others anymore.

Does anyone else have any advice?