HELP! Is it Merecks?

Classy Chick

Songster
Oct 18, 2012
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We ordered 75 chicks from Meyers hatchery and had all of them vaccinated for merecks. They are now 8 weeks old, and one of our white rocks is incredibly wobbly and can barely get around. She is still eating normally, but closes her eyes a lot. No one else is acting like this. Even though she was vaccinated, could it still be merecks? I am so so worried about the rest of the flock if it is... any help or advice would be very appreciated!!!
 
Are you feeding medicated feed? Not necessarily Marek's - could be parasites, cocci, other illness.. There is a small chance vaccinated birds can still get marek's but I wouldn't jump right to that..
 
Hi

What position is she holding her legs in exactly? Marek's disease is not the only thing that could paralyze the legs. Marek's is similar to FC, IS, ND and ORT.
But out of all those diseases, Marek's is the only common one. Check her eyes for sign of discharge and her vent for diahrrea. Does she shake her head regularly? Have you notice her gasping/coughing at all?
Vaccinations are not always effective 100% of the time. One of the easier ways to tell Marek's apart from the other 4 diseases is to look at the nose. Is there any discharge? There is never discharge for Marek's but there is for FC (Fowl Cholera), IS (intestinal spirochaetosis - caused by a tick), ND (Newcastle Disease) and ORT (Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale).
I doubt is is IS or ND though.

Keep her separated from other birds and give her electrolytes in her water. There is no cure for Marek's but there is holistic remedies that work sometimes. Marek's is cause by a herpes virus that spreads on the dander of older birds and from mosquitoes. Has the chick been with older birds or around mozzies?
A soluble vitamin supplement and crushed garlic in her water is also useful. Garlic strengthens the immune system.

Hope this helps,
Cuckoo Orpington.
 

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