Is there any hope for a chicken with Merrick disease

[Carter Critters]

I have a chicken that can no longer walk or stand and is showing signs of paralysis. Is there any hope that she will make it back from it. Do they ever recover from that? I am hand feeding and watering her.

 

[centrarchid]

I have fought is several times over the last few years. Just over half never got back on their feet. Almost none of the other half lived more than a year after initial signs. Those that do get back on their feet do so within a week but more weeks required to approach normal activity. Mine have always been a little slow even when recovery maxed out. Hens seemed to pass when egg laying got back on, especially if they tried to brood. They would loose more weight once off nest and often would not put weight back on once chicks weaned. Then hen would remain emaciated for a couple months. One exception did live for an additional three years but had a dismal record of egg laying and hatching. Chicks that did survive where normal.

 

[Carter Critters]

Thank you for your response .. I lost my password and had a time getting back on.. Could I ask what treatment method you used?

 

[centrarchid]

Follow links. It is not something I will be repeating.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/625129/mareks-long-term-prognosis


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/733001/attempt-to-get-long-term-survival-in-mareks-infected-hen