is this Newcastle, Mareks, or weak legs? Help!

[egghead@1265]

She is still alert and hanging in there-no others have shown symptoms yet...

 

[mg15]

Have you seen the slings for the girls with leg problems. They may be of some therapy help for her.

 

[egghead@1265]

[
Slings? Hmm... Have to see, but, No! I think she may need a wheel chair!

Oh, dear!

 

[egghead@1265]

Well after a week of our hen being unable to use her legs, she died over night!

I was honestly surprised to see her not breathing this morning, as she was still so perky last night!

I do feel she would never have regained the use if her legs, so it is probably for the best.

We have yet to figure out what got her that way, and even our Delaware(she was a Buckeye) who died within two days-nothing conclusive!

I wish we knew...we are still watching the remainder of our flock and hoping for the best!

Thanks for everyone's help! I intend to continue to research in hopes of learning more about what took two of our hens that seemed healthy....

Thanks and keep posting!

 

[mjhough]

Did you ever find the root of your problem? One of my welsummer chicks. 4 weeks old is struggling to do the same but she is able to walk around for a bit on both legs then seems to rest for a bit. I have her isolated from my other chicks. Got her some rooster booster and vita sol drops today. But like yours this happened all so fast. Yesterday was all fun and games room them outside for a bit even. Now today and she can hardly move around not like she used to. Hoping she just has a leg sprain or something of the likes. Cause unlike yours she's able to move around for a bit then looks like the pain is to much. Hope you only lost those two

 

[egghead@1265]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear you are dealing with this! I know I became very frustrated and felt so bad for the birds! I did loose the two, and then one more of my Buckeyes succumbed to the same issue! The last one broke my heart! I kept her alive for at least two weeks, and she was tough through it all!

I believe that these birds were exposed to Mareks, and we're carriers when I purchased them. I bought them from someone who breeds chickens, and other animals, off of craiglist. I recall him claiming security, as he didn't want anyone walking around his farm, basically just brought the birds out in cages he wanted to show, or ones I had expressed interest in. I should have walked away at that point!.... Anyhow, I don't want to drag on...

He did not give them the vaccine, as do the hatcheries(many hatcheries do so automatically or will do so for a small fee at one day old) So, the few I had in my flock, actually had the Mareks vaccine, as sunnyside is an automatic(which I didn't even know, until this occurred!). Gosh, all the things you think you know, but don't!

Has your bird received any of the vaccines? How about the rest of your flock?

You were wise to keep her away from the others. Also, practice as much bio security as you can. Washing your hands in between caring for her, and the others. Disposable gloves used on her, making sure dander and what not are not on yourself, clothes, shoes, etc.

For us, I feel we have been contaminated as this is difficult to rid and can live for up to a few weeks, perhaps a year on surfaces!(I read various estimates-eek!)

So, my plan, is to always purchase one day olds that are vaccinated. If I hatch my own, I will purchase the vaccine and administer it myself to all our hatchlings. I won't put myself, or the sweet birds through any of that again, if I can avoid it!

I think I answered your questions, but if not let me know!

Keep me posted how it goes and what you do!

I hope your hen perks up and makes a full recovery for you! Maybe the vitamins are all she needs, who knows!

 

[mjhough]

Did you infected birds walk around at all? Mine can walk around but it seems like it's painful for her. Unfortunately two birds I purchased from a feed store weren't I was told they "should be" by the employee called yesterday to talk to owner and he informed they aren't. So my other two are vaccinated for sure (from different store). I might have one more succumb to the issues.

She seemed better this morning I gave her some vita sol straight droplets. I'll see how she is later today after work and keep you posted. Thank you!

 

[egghead@1265]

The fact yours is walking seems good anyhow, but hard to say if she shows pain. Mine did lose mobility with their legs.

Strangely, mine didn't seem to show pain. We have had bumblefoot, vent gleet, vent prolapse, fleas, feather loss, and Mareks and it seemed our hens would never show pain or weakness! (Issues over 6 years). Hens are typically unwilling to show pain or weakness, as the other birds will pick on them to death! We have seen how some can be very mean!

I hope your hen benefits from the vitamins! I hope to hear a positive report soon!

 

[mjhough]

She succumbed to the disease it happened fast. She lost mobility in legs completely. Believe it was the mareks. Hopefully my other is strong enough to beat it. She's yet to show any symptoms so I'm hopeful but we'll see they're still young.. thanks a bunch for your help.

 

[egghead@1265]

Aww, So Sorry! This disease is a dreaded killer! I am sorry, it is heartbreaking.

Know you did your best, and she was loved and cared for until the end.

I hope you don't have any more deaths due to this disease.

I cleaned and cleaned, and not sure if it helped or not.(each time I lost a bird)
I lost 1 of 2 Delaware hens, and 2 of 5 of my Buckeye hens. The leghorns, and the bantam I adopted, weren't affected.