flyinggeese
Hatching
- Aug 14, 2024
- 1
- 0
- 4
Hi all. I am a first-time chicken owner unsure what to do about a chicken that has suddenly taken ill. My cuckoo maran is 23 weeks old and was perfectly healthy until five days ago when I noticed she was sitting down a lot and seemed to be having trouble moving. I've answered the questions in the posting guide section below to give context. I am unsure about diagnosis but am worried about Merricks. The flock is unvaccinated and I purchased all 12 of my chickens at the same time from a reputable hatchery.
I am looking for guidance on how long I should nurse the chicken before culling. She's one of my favorites and I would like to avoid that if possible, but I understand that sometimes there is no other way forward. If it is Merrick's, will the disease progress over a certain period of time that will leave no doubt about diagnosis? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Cuckoo Maran, 23 Weeks old, Feels normal weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Unable to walk and generally uncoordinated. She can stand and hobble a few steps but is generally unable to get around. Posture is strange with her tail elevated and her wings seem to be hard to control as well. Comb is a normal color and she laid an egg one day ago. She does seem to be panting a little bit.
I know that Marek's manifests in paralysis and the chicken's legs aren't splayed like the photos I've seen online. I've poked her legs to see if she reacts but I can't tell if she has feeling in them. She was able to stand on her own but didn't walk any.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Symptoms have been presenting for five days. They seemed to be getting worse day 1 but have remained the same ever since.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma?
I have felt around and see no signs of injury or other trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation?
No straightforward cause.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I placed the bird in a small enclosure where she can reach food and water without getting up. She has been eating and drinking normally.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Maybe larger and slightly runnier than usual but still mostly normal and solid with a white cap. No visible signs of worms.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I removed the chicken from the coop and put her in a small enclosure in the house. I was worried about egg binding so I gave her an epsom salt bath. This ended up not being the issue but it didn't seem to hurt or help. I also put some nutrient supplements in her water.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would like to treat the bird myself if possible but am open to seeking veterinary care. I also want to determine if I should take any preventative action with the rest of the flock.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
I live on a busy road so I built a large run for the chickens to stay in during the day. Their coop has hemp shavings in it and is kept reasonably clean.
I am looking for guidance on how long I should nurse the chicken before culling. She's one of my favorites and I would like to avoid that if possible, but I understand that sometimes there is no other way forward. If it is Merrick's, will the disease progress over a certain period of time that will leave no doubt about diagnosis? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Cuckoo Maran, 23 Weeks old, Feels normal weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Unable to walk and generally uncoordinated. She can stand and hobble a few steps but is generally unable to get around. Posture is strange with her tail elevated and her wings seem to be hard to control as well. Comb is a normal color and she laid an egg one day ago. She does seem to be panting a little bit.
I know that Marek's manifests in paralysis and the chicken's legs aren't splayed like the photos I've seen online. I've poked her legs to see if she reacts but I can't tell if she has feeling in them. She was able to stand on her own but didn't walk any.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Symptoms have been presenting for five days. They seemed to be getting worse day 1 but have remained the same ever since.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma?
I have felt around and see no signs of injury or other trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation?
No straightforward cause.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I placed the bird in a small enclosure where she can reach food and water without getting up. She has been eating and drinking normally.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Maybe larger and slightly runnier than usual but still mostly normal and solid with a white cap. No visible signs of worms.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I removed the chicken from the coop and put her in a small enclosure in the house. I was worried about egg binding so I gave her an epsom salt bath. This ended up not being the issue but it didn't seem to hurt or help. I also put some nutrient supplements in her water.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would like to treat the bird myself if possible but am open to seeking veterinary care. I also want to determine if I should take any preventative action with the rest of the flock.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
I live on a busy road so I built a large run for the chickens to stay in during the day. Their coop has hemp shavings in it and is kept reasonably clean.
