Help Floppy neck Silkie Chick!

[leadwolf1]

Theoretically, it should be impossible for the vaccine to do any harm. It should only boost the immune system in older birds. Research does indicate that the vaccine given to older birds can offer immunity whether exposed or, not. I vaccinated my whole flock in December....few losses all winter. When the hot weather hit, they were dropping like flies...that would have been 6 - 7 months after vaccinating.

Now you've got me wondering, though. I'm actually more confused about the 'booster'. Seems most of my birds got sick and died between 1 - 2 months after the booster. That still doesn't make sense since it isn't a chicken virus based vaccine. It really should have no negative effects.

As we know, Marek's makes no sense.

 

[seminolewind]

Leadwolf, same here!!!! I gave 3week boosters to one hatch and I have 2 out of 7 left, , and the hatch right after that had no booster and I have 5 out of 5. 5 of the booster/deaths died of opportunistic infections, 1 got paralysis at 8 weeks, lived in my bedroom for 2 more months and started walking and is now with a flock.
And there was one day old I had vaccinated that immediately got paralysis, and I'll never really know completely why.

 

[seminolewind]

OK ,DO NOT GIVE TUNA SHE LOVED IT BUT I GUESS I GAVE HER TO MUCH BECAUSE IT UPSET HER TUMMY . I TOOK STATE MATERS IN OWN HANDS AND CALLED THEM MY SELF. TALKED TO POULTRY LADY AT STATE AG. DEPT ,SHE SAID SHE DID NOT THINK IT WAS MEREKS ON THE ENFO BUT WAS GOING TO DO MORE RESERCH AND CALL IN MORNING .SHE ALSO MENTIONED A BLOOD SAMPLE MIGHT BE HELPFUL, MY VET SAID ONLY AUTOPSY COULD BRING ANY RESULTS SO I AM WONDERING WHY I CAN CALL AND GET ANSWERS IN A AFTERNOON AND THE VET HAS TO WAIT DAYS? SOMETHING SMELLS FISHY BESIDES THE TUNA!!! NOT HAPPY W/MY VET RIGHT NOW

You can't get results from a blood test. Just autopsy, finding tumors, or enlarged nerves.

 

[leadwolf1]

That, is just too weird....in my last batch of chicks from the hatchery, I had one little chick that I thought had caught its leg in the feeder..it was a metal trough feeder..I will never use it for peeps again. However, instead of getting better, it got worse and died by day 4. Again, it just isn't possible that it would be Marek's....but, with the virus mutating, just what might we see? What a scary thought...

 

[chickenzoo]

Since I have stopped vaccination for it I only lose a.handful a year and it seems like a certain Blood line in one grope of Silkies. Also in some bantam Polish. When I vaccinated older birds it seemed to get worse and those birds almost all came sown with it. Didn't make sense...but had it happen a few times..... When you vaccinate for anything...all new birds need to stay vaccinated...hard to do and costly since the vaccine jumped in price from when I first used it. it normally always hit mine at three months old or so...
Thanks SW...been through a lot of stuff with the birds before I knew better. Maintaining 300 head of chickens and then various numbers of other ornamental fowl... teaches you a lot..sometimes more than you want. Once upon a time I could quote all kids of info about Mareks.... But each case is different and illnesses can mimic each other or playback on each other.... I was giving the most commonly seen symptoms. I'm sure every climate and exposure can be different...

The OPs problem seems like typical Silkie Wry neck right now. Its good.we informed her of other possibilities to be aware of.....but lets not scare her unless the Silkie starts anything else.

 

[seminolewind]

Yea, we did get away from the original post. Sorry!
Yes, I imagine that 300 has taught you alot. I remember one of yours in a sling.
With Marek's, it sounds like you have gotten to a resistant flock since then. I'm sorry you had to go thru all of that as well.

Hopefulloflove, do you have any update?

 

[Hopefulloflove]

Ok, I am scared now, though not because of the Marek's discussion. I am glad to hear all the info i can, but I am nervous cause my baby now has blood in her poop. I am wondering however if it could possibly be caused by the prednisone? That is some rough stuff. i just keep waiting it out. What do u think? She is still behaving fine..

 

[chickenzoo]

Predisone acts differently in chickens and can weaken their immune system. Large doses can damage the liver...my Hubby has been on it for years...Not that their is no use for it in chickens but you have to pick your battles. I never have used it for wry neck. Only for respiratory issues. I personally would just stay with the vitamin E and poultry vitamins. I would give her some corid liquid encased she had coccidia which stress brought on the wry.neck

 

[Hopefulloflove]

What is corrid liquid and where can I find i? Should i be giving Vitamin e and the vitamins? I was giving poly visol and vitamin e, but someone said not to do both. Sorry for the typos. I am answering from my phone. Thank you for your help!

 

[leadwolf1]

The poultry specialist that I spoke with recommended using both. There is such a small trace of Vitamin E in poly vi sol and, when you squeeze out the tabs, you don't get the full amount that they are fine to use together.