Is it marecks?

lepetitesauvage

Hatching
Jul 10, 2025
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I posted last week that I found this olive egger on its side stuck behind the nesting condo. It must have been there for 4 days while I was on vacation and my animal sitter didn't see it. I brought it in and gave vitamins, scrambled eggs etc to make it strong but at this point I don't think it's an injury for eing stuck. It moved its legs back and forth under it and then it kinda does the marecks split. I didn't want to end him since I thought maybe he had a chance if I treated him. He's still waiting and drinking and very alert but the split and not being able to walk is making me think it's merick. He still moved his legs but it's literally him bringing his legs under him from the split position. None of my other hens and Roos are sick. This one is about 4.5 months old
 

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I posted last week that I found this olive egger on its side stuck behind the nesting condo. It must have been there for 4 days while I was on vacation and my animal sitter didn't see it. I brought it in and gave vitamins, scrambled eggs etc to make it strong but at this point I don't think it's an injury for eing stuck. It moved its legs back and forth under it and then it kinda does the marecks split. I didn't want to end him since I thought maybe he had a chance if I treated him. He's still waiting and drinking and very alert but the split and not being able to walk is making me think it's merick. He still moved his legs but it's literally him bringing his legs under him from the split position. None of my other hens and Roos are sick. This one is about 4.5 months old
What do you feed, including treats?

What vitamins have you been giving?

Since he was stuck for 4 days, he may have suffered some nerve damage, it's hard to know.

You can try a sling for periods of monitored time to help keep him upright to see if he's able to regain the use of his legs.

I'd make sure he's eating a chick starter or all flock feed that is 18-22% protein, give 1/4tablet B-Complex and 400IU Vitamin E daily along with a little egg.

Keep him on non slip surfaces.

Possible he may have Marek's Disease, it's hard to know without testing, but since he was stuck for days, I'd see if he's able to recover.


Your other thread is here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-this-marecks.1670721/
 
He's getting a farmers feed which is really good, 20%. I was giving him egg and poultry cell. Should I add the vitamins you mentioned also? Thanks for answering
Yes, I'd start him on the vitamins that I suggested.

Poultry Cell is good for quick uptake in a crisis, but you it doesn't contain as much E and B2 as giving them separately.
 

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