Hen can't walk

[RooseBolton]

Hi,

We have a Barred Rock hen who was fine about four days ago, but now seems to be acting paralyzed. There are 17 birds total in the flock and they were all vaccinated with Marek's disease. She is about 7 months old and was our first to lay an egg. Now it seems she can't lay an egg since she has been sick. The bird seems alert and will eat and drink, but not move around much. When she does try and move, she curls up her feet and walks with her wings outstretched.

My parents have been feeding all of the birds hot dog rolls as a treat recently. We now realize that this is not very good for a chicken's diet, so is this what is causing the reaction? Every other bird seems fine. They are all free range chickens and I am starting to wonder if our sick bird picked up a parasite.

The only thing that is different about this Barred Rock than the others is that her feet are gray and black where all the others have yellow and black. Not sure if that means anything or just an odd coincidence...

Any suggestions or advice on how to treat her going forward would be appreciated.

P.S. The entire flock was vaccinated when they were hatched so about 7 months ago. No issues since.

 

[chooks4life]

How recently were they vaccinated for Marek's? Vaccinating can cause them to get the disease they were vaccinated against, or identical symptoms. I would treat it like you'd treat Marek's because basically I'd think the symptoms are caused by the same things. On the subject of treatment, it's a case of doing what you think may work, no two people agree on it. I've not had Marek's but here's a quote from someone I found a while ago on these forums. I saved it because I figured if I encountered Marek's it was worth a try. You might not have that disease but similar symptoms are treated by the same thing, so maybe worth a go.

Quote: I know homeopathics are still considered quackery in many places, and a lot of the pseudo homeopathics are indeed worthless, but true homeopathy actually works. Sometimes more is required, but in general no single area of medicine can stand alone, we should be incorporating all fields that work into a holistic whole, and that's where the medical industry is headed anyway since conventional medicine hasn't got the success rate to boast itself as a complete practice.

 

[realsis]

Vaccination against Marek's will NOT give them the disease! Its not even the Marek's virus they are making the vaccine from! I've spoken to a poultry doctor about this same subject because when I vaccinated my flock I wanted to be sure. You are NOT injecting the live Marek's virus into the birds. However it does take about two weeks for immunity to set in from the vaccine and if they were exposed before immunity they can still get the virus. Also the vaccine is not 100% effective against the virus and vaccinated birds still can get the virus. Percentages according to my chicken Heath book are 6% of vaccinated birds will still acquire the virus. So even though vaccinated it is possible for them to still get Marek's. However the vaccine would NOT cause them to contract the disease because the vaccine is NOT the Marek's virus. Hope this helps a bit. I do wish you the best. Its best to get your bird tested so you can know for certain if its Marek's you are dealing with.

 

[Peaceeagle1]

Chooks4life- thanks for posting the info on treating Mareks. I just lost a chick to it. In the past I've lost 2 really sweet roos. Homeopathics have been around for a long time. I use the on myself(if I can find them)

 

[chooks4life]

Quote: That's not what I said, I suggest you re-read my post...

And when I state the vaccine of anything is known to infect with the disease it is supposed to immunize against, it is because I have obtained this info from the vaccine makers or that industry, not because I've spoken to one doctor or vet. I don't lay much weight to the opinion of a single professional, many times they are woefully ignorant or incorrect.

 

[Araucana16]

Just chiming in, just because they are vaccinated doesn't mean they won't get it. It does lower the chance of infection to 10%, so watch your other birds if you suspect it. A few other birds may get it.