Help! I don’t know what’s going on here!

[Noellereagan]

My first hatch/ fav chick, who hatched January 28 of this year is putting her head between her legs and doing what looks like itching but I am afraid it’s not. I fear mereks. I don’t know much about mereks but I do believe it’s Neurological- correct? SHe’s eating fine. SHe’s pooping fine. Once and a while she looks to lose her balance and catch herself with a wing. When she puts her head between her legs to itch or whatever, she’ll act like she can’t come out of it and actually flip over in a summer-salt. I can pull her head up and she’ll walk around and peck at the egg I have out for her.

Please help. I’m so worried.

Right now the bird is separate but should I remove her from the breeder room with my other babies that are rare breed exhibition birds.

They are not vaccinated. They’re hatched on purina medicated purina starter. It has been going on since this am but I suspect it may have started last night.

 

[Noellereagan]

@casportpony
@R2elk

 

[Kiki]

What do you feed her and do you have any vitamins on hand?

 

[Noellereagan]

What do you feed her and do you have any vitamins on hand?

Purina medicated start and grow. See photo of label. She gets a little bit of hard boiled egg minced up twice daily. I have nutridrench on hand and tried to put some over egg but she refused the egg with the nutridrench.

 

[casportpony]

I too would fear Marek's, but you could try vitamins. If mine i would try some vitamin E and about 1/4 ml of the vitamin b complex for cattle.

 

[Noellereagan]

I too would fear Marek's, but you could try vitamins. If mine i would try some vitamin E and about 1/4 ml of the vitamin b complex for cattle.

Is mereks contagious? What are the odds it’s mereks. I’m freaking out. Should I get her out of the brooder room where all my other chicks brooder are? I’m so stressed

 

[Ms Clucky]

Symptoms of Marek's Disease in Birds

• Vision impairment, with a change in the eye colour showing a grey iris or irregular pupil.
• Skin change in texture around the feather follicles, often appearing raised and bumpy.
• Lameness and leg weakness without any visible signsof swelling or heat within the limb.

I really don't think it's Marek's if she isn't doing these things.
My suggestion is to go to The Poultry Site.

 

[casportpony]

Is mereks contagious? What are the odds it’s mereks. I’m freaking out. Should I get her out of the brooder room where all my other chicks brooder are? I’m so stressed

It is contagious and I don't know what the odds are. If she weren't a silkie I would be pretty convinced it's Marek's, but silkies have that vaulted skull and are known for having problems like this. @Fancychooklady lady has lots of experience with silkies, so maybe she can offer some advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that it is Mareks. She has wry neck (torticolis, crook neck,) which is a neurological symptom in cluding the walking backward. It can be a symptom of head injury, Mareks or several other diseases, a vitamin E or B1 thiamine deficiency, and sometimes is from heredity. Most people treat it with giving a chick vitamin or B complex (not B12) and adding 400 IU of vitamin E daily. Extra selenium is not needed, but you may feed a little egg which contains that. I would make sure that she eats a good amount of wet chicken feed moistened with water and a bit of egg at least 3 times a day. This would insure that she gets enough if her neck is keeping her from food and water.

 

[Noellereagan]

Symptoms of Marek's Disease in Birds

• 
  
  
  • Vision impairment, with a change in the eye colour showing a grey iris or irregular pupil.
  • Skin change in texture around the feather follicles, often appearing raised and bumpy.
  • Lameness and leg weakness without any visible signsof swelling or heat within the limb.

I really don't think it's Marek's if she isn't doing these things.
My suggestion is to go to The Poultry Site.

Def doesn’t have one of these symptoms. Sigh of relief. Thanks.