hurt foot or something else?

[mamahen1980]

now he uses bad foot more and other one his toes curl under little bit and causes some wobbles

 

[Bens-Hens]

That is some GREAT news.

Our vet had said that if they show a sign of getting better, they normally fight it and make a full recovery. Those cases are rare but it seems you may have one!

Slightly off topic but are you sure that's a he? Looks kind of Charlotte that Charlie to me?!

 

[mamahen1980]

No not sure if he or she, lol
I cant tell with the older ones either and they are 11 and 12 weeks old. I did notice yesterday the comb is flesh tone so probably girl and thats fine with me too. All of ya'll have been so helpful and great. I cant thank everyone enough.

 

[Bens-Hens]

I am thinking that is a pullet. You can post a few pictures of any you are not sure of in the 'breed and sexing' area. I am sure a few people will help out and let you know what's what.

Really just need a pic of each and know their age, breed helps too.

 

[mamahen1980]

I really don't know breeds all I can do is guess. We have chickens that are outdoors when we moved here and after a while I decided I was tried of seeing all the babies disappear so I took eggs and hatched them to raise safely.

 

[Haunted55]

I am so very glad for you. Keep up the good work and please keep the thread updated.

Something I've learned as most of us do...the vitamins are amazing, you betcha, but the caring and love we give in equal doses to them, as we are caring for them, are just as important. My experiences have taught me that a 'sick' bird needs the 'touch' as well as the meds and vites to heal. Even 5 mins. will bolster their will to live like nothing else. I had 26 Marek's birds at one time in various stages of the disease. these birds were unable to fend for themselves and were housed in brooders. Trying to treat all of them and the rest of my animals was a real trip. Sometimes, I could spend the time with all of them but mostly it was interupted by something else needing to be done. I noticed the ones who had the most 'hands on care' were the ones who did the best and most went on to recover and walk again. The others, even though they were given the same feed, vitamins, meds, whatever...if they didn't get the time of being petted and loved, they would go into a rapid decline. I lost 5 before this sunk in and then I made the time to care for them. All showed improvement almost over night! Did they all make full recovery? No, some just couldn't do that, the disease had infected too many organs in their bodies. The time they had left before culling or natural death was good for them though. Sounds silly, I know but truth all the same.

 

[mamahen1980]

Not silly at all, they have alot of personality and remind me of people sometimes, no words but attitude and looks that say so much. My chickens are pets but I spend most of my time at home with them, the kids seem to be just attached. Im sorry you have had so many losses and have been stretched so thin with the recovery of your birds but im sure the ones that were short lived enjoyed having someone love them while they were here. Im learning so much from this forum and everyone here, and its been great to know I can get help when no one around here can. Never thought I would raise chickens but wouldn't trade it either. Now my mom wants some, which is cool that I have got her wanting to do new things. Now if I could only learn her green thumb, lol. Maybe with compost now it will get better. Thank you so much for the support and help, its like my birdies have so many parents they dont see but care all the same for them

 

[Haunted55]

Lol, at least they can look at us as Fairy God Mothers and Fathers. It's funny, last year at this time I was going out of my mind [short trip] with the troubles with my birds. I have learned so very much in a year's time it's kinda scary, but it was needed. I do still lose one now and then, but nothing, nothing like last year. My birds and I, at least the ones that could, have come out the other side and we are stronger and better for it. Better for them because they are alive and happy and for me because I can help someone else if it's needed. My birds didn't die in vain. Not if I can help one single person and bird. Seminolewind, Casportpony, Nambroth....the list goes on and everyone of them is there to do what they can, when they can. It's a heck of a price to pay to get into this little club[?] but the learning, teaching and shoulder, when it's needed, is worth a lot in return. Okay...enough of the sappy stuff, truth it may be but still.....

I made a phone call to one of the bigger hatchery owners today and he and I talked at length about Marek's and the giving of the vaccine to birds older than 1 day. As he and I agreed, there are two minds to this, one the why bother, they've been exposed and they'll either make it or not. The other is why not? You have absolutely nothing to lose and it very well may kick the immune system into high gear so it will fight even harder, in effect, everything to gain by doing so. Another thing I have come across is the mention of maternal immunity possibly messing with the affectiveness of the Marek's vaccination. the owner and I talked about this as well. He said, in his experience it's a short time frame of immunity...days, not weeks or months. Some of the research papers I've been reading claim it can be weeks into a month. Interesting stuff and another way to look at the vaccinations. Researchers are starting to think giving the vaccine at 1 day isn't enough and it may take 2 immunizations for it to 'take' in this situation. There were things about vaccinating in the egg and then again at hatch. Okay, great if you have the equipment to do that. Me? Not so much. All any of us can get is the Turkey Marek's, better than nothing, but what if the strains you're facing are resistant to that vaccine? What do you do then? I decided to range turkeys with my birds and the situation here started turning around quickly. Coincidence? Possibly, if you believe in that sort of thing. I don't, not after what I've seen. I will also say this, if the deaths started rising to more than 1 or 2 without obvious symptoms...I'd revaccinate in an instant. No hesitation at all.

Sorry about the length, wanted to share what was discussed and the take from someone who does this for a living. Oh, almost forgot! Another thing we talked of, the coccidiosis vaccine. If your birds are vaccinated and happen to be exposed to a strain that isn't covered through mutation or whatever...if you then use a coccidiastat, in any form, the vaccination is gone, useless. You would then have to continue with either a medicated feed or a maintenance dosing of Corid until they have built immunity or treat as needed with one of the sulpha drugs. Most would never have to worry about it not working for them, to be sure. Just an FYI for those interested.

 

[mamahen1980]

Charlie is doing much better, but wondering if I have to worry about too much vitamin? He gets around great the one foot curls inward and causes little bit of zig zag in his or he run, will it be like that from now on, just curious wanting to know if it would hinder his ability to mingle back in with flock, otherwise I will have to fix a more permanent housing.

 

[mamahen1980]

He/she chirps so much like a little baby from being alone especially at night, I done want to stress him with giving him a bunk buddy if its just going to cause bullying