Is it Marek's??

[seminolewind]

It's hard. I've learned to get the styrofoam box, the ice packs, and call for directions about what they want and get a copy of the form to fill out. I have this set to go so there is nothing I have to run around for.

 

[Mainechick168]

I've got an email in to the University of Maine Cooperative extension- they do necropsies- I was told they could give me some additional advice too.

 

[seminolewind]

Here's a website for boxes http://www.mrboxonline.com/styrofoam-cooler-boxes-c-102_104.html

You also need those ice packs, and a large plastic bag for the hen.

 

[kimtimp]

LakeBird:
That is a beautiful chicken! I'm happy she is doing better.

 

[LakeBird]

LakeBird:
That is a beautiful chicken! I'm happy she is doing better.

Thank you! She's come a long way.

 

[seminolewind]

Oh wow! Congrats! It was nice to hear that she turned around. Keep us up to date!

 

[Chickdeb7]

I have had the same problem with my young pullets and it is terrible. I am thinking that it is Mereks and am ordering some vaccine in hopes that I can stop it. I have recently de wormed the flock also.
At first I thought it was eye worm. Treated the first one, she seemed better (a young bantam) so I put her back out. Two days later she was gasping and died. About 4 days later an Ameracaura from the same purchase came down with eye and sinus crud. Treated her with Vet RX and tetracycline like the first one. After a few days of special diet and treatment her eyes/nose cleared up but she was distressed peeping, would not stand and had a curled in foot and distended wing. She could not have injured herself and is about 10 weeks old.
After two days of this- she would eat if I put it close to her- I found info on Mereks.
I just put her down and it is so sad.

Thinking back- I did have 3 incidents that I now wonder about.
I purchased the Bantam mix at a local store. I had two die about two weeks after they came home. No symptoms- just a dead chick in the morning. Could these new bantams have brought it in to my coop?
I had a 1 yr old rooster disappear (my chickens free range in the afternoon) on a Wednesday and show up again on Monday limping, with scaley legs and a terrible looking eye- all on the right side. I took him to the vet, and we agreed that it looked like he had been drug along by a predator and was injured. I nursed him along, (took about 3 weeks) he seemed to recover and rejoined the flock. About a week later he would not walk and smelled terrible. I decided to put him down, and found a very ugly gangrenous area on his upper inner thigh. Still thought it was an infected injury....This was about 3 weeks ago.
My brother gave me some Cornish hens the beginning of April. They all seem fine- but could they be carriers?

Ugghh. This is my second year with my flock. Last year, other than predators, I had no problems at all. This spring I feel that I am constantly dealing with dead or ill chickens. I am really diligent about keeping my coop and feeders clean.

So, I am going to order some vaccine and hope I can stop it if it is Mereks.

Help?

There is no treatment for Mereks. The vaccine only prevents tumors from forming. Once they have Mareks they carry it for life. Mareks is contagious. Whenever you have new birds they should be isolated for a minimum of 2 weeks. That gives time for any disease of illness or parasites to show up. The Mareks vaccination has to be given on day one.