I'm just wondering if anyone else has had experience with this?

Simmonsfunnyfrm

Songster
7 Years
Jun 11, 2012
621
14
118
Pope County, Arkansas
I've had this happen to a cockerel or two also, but usually it's pullets. This is what's happening: One at a time, my chickens will become lethargic. They are between 1 and 4 months old when this happens. By adulthood, none of them get sick. Their comb and wattles are the least developed out of my flock, and they are pale in color. After the initial stage of lethargy, they lose their appetite and start having problems walking. They will just sit in place and close their eyes for long periods of time. They are quiet, but don't seem to be gasping for air or have a big respiratory issue. Usually this is accompanied by diarrhea, but not always. The diarrhea is brown, sometimes yellowish white and bubbly. Their eyes look normal. I can't see any lesions on them. They look completely normal except for the combs and the fact that they are obviously sick. Within a day or two, they are dead. Then another may start up. No two birds are sick at one time. Can you help me figure out what this is please? I have looked on several poultry disease sites and nothing seems to fit well. Has this happened to anyone else?
 
Have you researched Marek's? I don't know a ton about it but do know that it causes a gradual paralysis in their legs making it difficult for them to walk, which seems to fit the description you gave of their symptoms.
 
Yes. That is the disease that seems to fit the best, however it seems that one of the most prominent symptoms of the disease is eye discoloration and blindness, and that's not something that's happened yet. I've had about 10 cases.
 

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