Is there anything similar to Marek's?

[Sussex19]

Last summer we had a Rhode Island Red come down with what I thought might be Marek's, she was having trouble keeping her balance and was sort of flopping on to her side.
Also found it difficult to eat, as if she couldn't aim right to pick it up.
However she recovered from what ever it was and later got put in with some young cockerels, who then started having difficulty walking and were inclined to have one leg in front of the other, which I read is the typical symptom of Marek's?
However again they all recovered with no lasting problems.
Recently the original hen went down hill and died.
The odd thing is non of the chicks or pullets or other hens have shown any sign of it, so I'm still hoping it's something else, any thoughts?

 

[Sussex19]

Sorry I didn't mean to post the same thread three times
If the others can be removed that would be great.

 

[Sussex19]

Any ideas?
I'd like to know if it would be okay to sell chickens without worrying about it.

 

[Eggcessive]

If there is any possibility of Mareks in your flock, selling chicks should not be done. If you lose another chicken, your state vet can be contacted for a necropsy and testing dor Mareks. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Sussex19]

Thanks for answering
I'm in Australia so I don't know if there's anywhere that one can get it done? One doesn't seem to hear of it much here.
Also we'll be butchering the cockerels in the next few days is there any way to tell?

 

[Eggcessive]

They do have cases of Mareks in AU and in NZ, as reported by BYC members there. You may want to contact a vet in your area on how to get a chicken diagnosed. Mareks is tested fo by testing feather shafts, blood, and tumors. A necropsy can be helpful in diagnosis as well. A number of other problems can look like Mareks. Some Mareks symptoms can disappear and come back later.

 

[Sussex19]

Thanks! If we lose any more, I think we'll look at trying to get it tested.
If we don't see any more symptoms after a long period of time (like a year) could one presume it was something else?
Also do the symptoms above actually sound like Mareks?

 

[ChookieG]

Last summer we had a Rhode Island Red come down with what I thought might be Marek's, she was having trouble keeping her balance and was sort of flopping on to her side.
Also found it difficult to eat, as if she couldn't aim right to pick it up.
However she recovered from what ever it was and later got put in with some young cockerels, who then started having difficulty walking and were inclined to have one leg in front of the other, which I read is the typical symptom of Marek's?
However again they all recovered with no lasting problems.
Recently the original hen went down hill and died.
The odd thing is non of the chicks or pullets or other hens have shown any sign of it, so I'm still hoping it's something else, any thoughts?

Thanks for answering
I'm in Australia so I don't know if there's anywhere that one can get it done? One doesn't seem to hear of it much here.
Also we'll be butchering the cockerels in the next few days is there any way to tell?

@Poultry mum, did you experience any of these symptoms in your flock before?

 

[raingarden]

Gee, I couldn't stand not knowing and waiting for the bad news. I'd also cull all the birds and do something else for a few years if it was diagnosed.

 

[Sussex19]

, I couldn't stand not knowing and waiting for the bad news. I'd also cull all the birds and do something else for a few years if it was diagnosed.

The point is, all the chickens we've got in the moment are perfectly healthy; so I can't see much point in culling them when they can live very happy lives.
But what I'm trying to work out is are they carriers or not.