Help possible mareks?

[jesfields]

I have had 4 approximately 3 month old pullets die over the past month. I have another one today that is showing symptoms. Very lethargic and not moving legs or walks a bit then falls over and rests. They are very light feeling when I pick them up almost like they have hardly any meat on them. It has only affected pullets and only the pure breed ameraucana. What should I do? Are pure breeds more susceptible to this?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry for your trouble.

I don't think pure breeds are more susceptible...

But it kinda doesn't sound like Marek's to me... Ones I have seen are not usually lethargic and have ravenous appetites and looks like limping.

Please what are you feeding including treats and supplements? How many birds in how much space? Recent weather pattern? How do droppings look? Did the pullets die on their own or culled by you? What time frame? Are they eating and drinking when you find them?

Are you able to post a short video of the attempted walking using vimeo or you tube? Even a pic might be helpful.

Have you inspected for external parasites, or had a fecal float done to check for internal parasites or coccidiosis? Any noticeable change to eyes... pupil or iris?

If you lose another bird I highly recommend refrigerating the body and sending for necroposy to confirm cause of death so you will KNOW what you are facing. Links to help...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Putting your general location in your profile can help others to make more appropriate suggestions without having to ask first.

 

[jesfields]

Sorry for your trouble.

I don't think pure breeds are more susceptible...

But it kinda doesn't sound like Marek's to me... Ones I have seen are not usually lethargic and have ravenous appetites and looks like limping.

Please what are you feeding including treats and supplements? How many birds in how much space? Recent weather pattern? How do droppings look? Did the pullets die on their own or culled by you? What time frame? Are they eating and drinking when you find them?

Are you able to post a short video of the attempted walking using vimeo or you tube? Even a pic might be helpful.

Have you inspected for external parasites, or had a fecal float done to check for internal parasites or coccidiosis? Any noticeable change to eyes... pupil or iris?

If you lose another bird I highly recommend refrigerating the body and sending for necroposy to confirm cause of death so you will KNOW what you are facing. Links to help...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Putting your general location in your profile can help others to make more appropriate suggestions without having to ask first.

Thanks for your detailed reply! I have around 40 chickens which have a 10x10 coop for sleeping but are free range. They eat layer pellets with some chicken scratch and kitchen scraps and garden scraps. They get supplemental oyster shell. I am located in northern canada. It has recently changed from hot weather to rainy and cold but the others that have died were during just regular warm weather around 20 degrees celcius. The others died on their own after being separated from the flock. They would eat and drink water if it was in front of them but did not walk about. They just layed there on their side. They are dying a few weeks apart. I just went to check on this pullet and she is under the nesting boxes where I found her last night and will not stand up just puts out her wing and flails about. I will try to post a video. I just find it odd that it has not yet affected my mixed breed pullets of the same age.

 

[jesfields]

My videos are too large of a file but she is alert. Her one wing will stretch out and flap and she can kick her legs but not stand. The other appeared more lethargic and would take a few steps and fall over. Perhaps they are different illnesses? Or maybe this is at a different stage then the others

 

[Eggcessive]

That is a small coop for 40 chickens. I would make sure to get a necropsy by your state vet if another dies. There are other viruses that can cause severe illness besides Mareks, and it also could be something as simple as coccidiosis. You can take a few dropping in to your local vet to rule out coccidiosis and worms. If it was Mareks, testing can be done during the necrospy. The link in post 2 for aphis is a good one for contact info. Sorry for your loss.

 

[jesfields]

Thank you for the replies. Anything I should attempt to do for this one or just cull her?

 

[Eggcessive]

You can use a chicken sling or chair with food and water placed right in front, so they can reach it. That way, you can try to locate a lab or vet in Canada that possibly could do testing for Mareks. Vitamin deficiency, mold poisoning, lead or chemical poisoning, or botulism from eating animal or plant remains that have been buried, could be some things to rule out. Unfortunately, I think Mareks could be a real possibility with the symptoms. Here is a good link with a lot of info on Mareks and some pictures of chicken slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[jesfields]

You can use a chicken sling or chair with food and water placed right in front, so they can reach it. That way, you can try to locate a lab or vet in Canada that possibly could do testing for Mareks. Vitamin deficiency, mold poisoning, lead or chemical poisoning, or botulism from eating animal or plant remains that have been buried, could be some things to rule out. Unfortunately, I think Mareks could be a real possibility with the symptoms. Here is a good link with a lot of info on Mareks and some pictures of chicken slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Thank you. That mareks post is very helpful