Help! Second lame pullet in 2 weeks!

[Slvraudigrl]

Hi.
Two weeks ago I posted about a salmon faverolle of mine “fluffy” that started walking backwards, drunken, flapping wings, trunk head sideways. I’ve tried most everything from antibiotics and probiotics, to vitamin B selenium and vitamin E supplementation. I’m giving up now and I think I need to euthanize her because she’s not getting better but she’s still barely alive.
Sadly yesterday I went to check the rest of my chickens and one of them was lying on its side”freckles”. When I picked her up I couldn’t tell if her left wing had a problem or her left leg. But I’ve now separated her from the rest of the flock and I’m wondering if it’s something similar to the first chicken.
Through this website suggestions primarily seem to be wry neck. However now since there’s a second check in it is not doing well I’m wondering if they are related somehow. They are different breeds, both six months old, and from different places.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Two weeks ago I posted about a salmon faverolle of mine “fluffy” that started walking backwards, drunken, flapping wings, trunk head sideways.

Welcome to BYC!

Very sorry you are facing this.

It is classic symptoms of Marek's disease virus.. often mistaken for vitamin deficiency. In addition to the E and selenium. thiamine is highly recommended.

Please describe your standard feed routine including treats and supplements BEFORE symptoms appeared. Is there a reason to suspect vitamin deficit? Any idea if either were vaccinated against Marek's? Did they ever have to be treated for a bad case of coccidiosis that MIGHT have lead to SOME intestinal necrosis resulting in mal-absorption conditions?

Are you in the US? Do you wan't to send in one of your ladies to get a necropsy done by the state poultry lab to help rule in or out causes for future flock concern? If so refrigerate the body and contact your state lab for their directions. Here is a link to the list or I can also provide direct contact info if you disclose your state) or add it to your general profile)..

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Man, throwing antibiotics at unknown illness just brings things farther down hill. I wish folks would quit that.

There are some other avian diseases that can look similar to Marek's.. Lymphoid Leukosis, New Castle's disease, and maybe equine encephalitis. According to the state poultry vet at UC Davis in California.. Marek's is ubiquitous in poultry environments and they suggest getting ALL birds vaccinated.. NOTING the vaccine does NOT prevent the disease.. but only HIDES the symptoms.. making it look like it isn't present BUT allowing it to proliferate undetected. Basically vaccinated birds MAY be typhoid Mary type carriers.. Still some knowing this don't wan't to have to face the heartbreak and choose vaccinating. Some breeders (myself included) have attempted to breed for resistance.. Whether or not that is actually doable, is a whole other story.

Again, sorry you are facing this!

Hope you get answers!

ETA: one more link..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Slvraudigrl]

Welcome to BYC!

Very sorry you are facing this.

It is classic symptoms of Marek's disease virus.. often mistaken for vitamin deficiency. In addition to the E and selenium. thiamine is highly recommended.

Please describe your standard feed routine including treats and supplements BEFORE symptoms appeared. Is there a reason to suspect vitamin deficit? Any idea if either were vaccinated against Marek's? Did they ever have to be treated for a bad case of coccidiosis that MIGHT have lead to SOME intestinal necrosis resulting in mal-absorption conditions?

Are you in the US? Do you wan't to send in one of your ladies to get a necropsy done by the state poultry lab to help rule in or out causes for future flock concern? If so refrigerate the body and contact your state lab for their directions. Here is a link to the list or I can also provide direct contact info if you disclose your state) or add it to your general profile)..

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Man, throwing antibiotics at unknown illness just brings things farther down hill. I wish folks would quit that.

There are some other avian diseases that can look similar to Marek's.. Lymphoid Leukosis, New Castle's disease, and maybe equine encephalitis. According to the state poultry vet at UC Davis in California.. Marek's is ubiquitous in poultry environments and they suggest getting ALL birds vaccinated.. NOTING the vaccine does NOT prevent the disease.. but only HIDES the symptoms.. making it look like it isn't present BUT allowing it to proliferate undetected. Basically vaccinated birds MAY be typhoid Mary type carriers.. Still some knowing this don't wan't to have to face the heartbreak and choose vaccinating. Some breeders (myself included) have attempted to breed for resistance.. Whether or not that is actually doable, is a whole other story.

Again, sorry you are facing this!

Hope you get answers!

ETA: one more link..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Wow. Well I’ve spent the morning calling around different vets and nobody can help me. I’ve also called animal control and the state vet office. I’ve been feeding my chickens feed and dried grubs from a company called Grubblys. And every other gallon of water I would try to supplement with a chicken probiotic vitamin blend.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow. Well I’ve spent the morning calling around different vets and nobody can help me. I’ve also called animal control and the state vet office. I’ve been feeding my chickens feed and dried grubs from a company called Grubblys. And every other gallon of water I would try to supplement with a chicken probiotic vitamin blend.

So it doesn't SOUND like there *should* be any reason to suspect vitamin/mineral deficiency. Though (if getting a necropsy) I might want to also have a sample of the feed tested for mycotoxins, double check freshness date, storage conditions, possible mold, etc.

I would expect something like botulism to be more serious and more fast spreading.. asking if there are any compost piles or other places they could get into something like that? How many more flock mates have ya got? When you say from different places.. you mean different hatcheries/feed stores or different back yards/farms? How long have you had them? Sorry so many questions, just looking at clues.

I forgot to ask since the bird was like this for two weeks already.. but if she wasn't eating then checking crop function since a sour or blocked crop could also possibly result in the drunk behavior you describe.

I also forgot how scary the word or thought of Marek's can be.. in addition to the heartbreak of experiencing it. I'm sorry if I caused panic by going there. It usually doesn't mean a death sentence for the entire flock. And I try not to jump to conclusions.. so would consider internal parasite load.. (I seriously doubt this as the CAUSE but covering all bases if possible).

Is there anything more I or the community can offer to support you.. direct links or and .