I guess this is Marek's

[lraddatz]

So this is the 3rd week one of our girls has been sick. We noticed her having problem with one leg like it was very weak. We isolated her and went to a vet 4 days later when she didn't get better. While we were there she started to be clumsy and trip over her feet. He said probably Marek's. She tries to walk and steps on her feet and falls- can't stand tall for more than a second. My concern is it's now week 3. She's still getting around some has no other symptoms and is eating and drinking- but feels like she's lost weight. She is very chatty and likes to be held. We're concerned with our other 3 chickens getting it. They are all 9weeks old (even the sick one). We've tried antibiotics and an anti inflammatory. I can't find poly vi sol without iron- was going to give it a try. We aren't looking forward to it but is it best we put her down now so the others don't get it? She's still isolated and in the house.thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

If she has Mareks, your other chickens have already been exposed. Many conditions can look like Mareks, such as mold poisoning, lead poisoning, and others. Go to your feed store or Tractor Supply and look for poultry vitamins, such as Poultry Cell (dosage 1 ml per pound daily,) or powder vitamins such as Durvet, Rooster Booster Vitamins with Lactobacillus, SaveAChick, or others. Do not use NutriDrench since it does not contain riboflavin. Human vitamin B Comples tablets could also be used--dissolved in water or dissolved and added to food, 1/2 tablet daily. Ribflavin deficiency can caused curled under toes, walking on hocks, an lameness. Here is some reading about Mareks and riboflavin deficiency:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/90/mareks-disease/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[lraddatz]

If she has Mareks, your other chickens have already been exposed. Many conditions can look like Mareks, such as mold poisoning, lead poisoning, and others. Go to your feed store or Tractor Supply and look for poultry vitamins, such as Poultry Cell (dosage 1 ml per pound daily,) or powder vitamins such as Durvet, Rooster Booster Vitamins with Lactobacillus, SaveAChick, or others. Do not use NutriDrench since it does not contain riboflavin. Human vitamin B Comples tablets could also be used--dissolved in water or dissolved and added to food, 1/2 tablet daily. Ribflavin deficiency can caused curled under toes, walking on hocks, an lameness. Here is some reading about Mareks and riboflavin deficiency:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/90/mareks-disease/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

Thanks for the info! I've read so much on marek's and am so confused so I wanted to try the vitamins just incase. I did get some save a chick packs but she didn't drink much of that so I'll try one of the others. I was also concerned with the mold bc we did notice some but took care of it right away and I can't remember how close to when her symptoms started that happened. I understand if it is Marek's the others are already exposed or have it but if they show no symptoms could we still spread it I guess "more" to them? Thanks again!

 

[lraddatz]

So it seems after 3 weeks she has recovered. She is strong, mouthy, walking great and running. I've taken her outside with me and she has a blast. Does this mean it can still be Marek's? We want to put her back in the coup but I wanted to see if you had any suggestions. She never had wing paralysis or stuck her leg out just tripped and had bilateral weak clumsy legs. Thanks for the help!

 

[Eggcessive]

That is great news. Leg weakness can be from a variety of causes. As I said before, if she was exposed to Mareks in your environmen, the other chickens were exposed at the same time. I think she should be placed back in with her flockmates with some caution that she doesn't get hurt if they have forgotten her. Sometimes placing in a dog cage with her own food and water, and being face to face through fencing can get everyone familiar again. Just watch when they are back together that the normal pecking doesn't get out of hand, by spending a little time at first.

 

[lraddatz]

Ok thank you so much! And now I think she has mites from roaming in the backyard gee whiz she can't get a break! I don't see anything but she's scratching and picking at herself. Hopefully I can get her taken care of and back by her friends. Thanks again!

 

[Eggcessive]

Google "lice and mites in chickens" to see pictures of what to look for. There should be some evidence of mites seen, either in the coop or on the chicken. They can leave brown specks on the skin, but be sure to check at night with a flashlight when some mites are only out.