CountessHensar
In the Brooder
- Sep 14, 2018
- 11
- 37
- 41
I am relatively new to poultry, and am in a dilemma over my 15 month old rooster, Cuckoo Maran Bantam, called Barry that I hatched myself and who has become a pet really.
About a week ago, he went lame in one leg - and seemed to be unable to bear weight on it. I took him to the vet (not a chicken specialist - there don't seem to be any around here) and basically she couldn't find anything and gave him some pain killers. One week later, no improvement, he is still hopping around, so he has been back (same vet, although I requested a different one). She still can't feel any fracture or injury and she thinks now it may be Mareks, and that basically it is a very expensive referral (£170 plus X Rays £450) - and that's just to rule out the possibility of it being an injury (which they are not sure they could treat any way) - if Mareks then there's nothing that can be done anyway and my whole flock is probably infected - it wasn't a great consultation.
I know Marek's is everywhere - but no new birds introduced to flock for over a year - I've hatched a few myself. No known risks. Flock mixed bantams, mainly ones I hatched, some bought in over a year ago - a mixture of vaccinated and non-vaccinated.
Barry seems happy apart from the leg which he is dragging and seems unable to put pressure on (which does, I agree, look like Mareks - though I've only seen pictures). He has a slight redness on one leg - but no infection or swelling - and I can't see that it is Bumblefoot (again I've only seen pictures) and seems to be eating and drinking OK. I can't see any signs of injury or cuts or splinters etc. I don't think he has lost his sense of balance - he struggles with the one leg, but seems able to stand up and crows - although less active than usual.
I have separated him from the others, bit don't know what to do next. If there was a realistic chance of vet being able to help him, I'd try to fork out the money, although it's more than my current car is worth (son's pet - so extra emotional). But TBH I don't have much faith in them - and if it is Marek's then it sounds like a one-way ticket.
My inclination is to keep him separate and see how it goes - presumably if Marek's then his symptoms will get worse and it will become obvious? The downside is I guess I am putting rest of flock at risk - although as he has been running with the hens anyway - they're probably all infected by now anyway.
Is there anything else it could be? (I was hoping, just a sprain, but I would have expected him to get better more quickly if that were the case).
Sorry - long post - I really don't want to lose him, but don't know what's for the best. Grateful for any thoughts. Thanks.
About a week ago, he went lame in one leg - and seemed to be unable to bear weight on it. I took him to the vet (not a chicken specialist - there don't seem to be any around here) and basically she couldn't find anything and gave him some pain killers. One week later, no improvement, he is still hopping around, so he has been back (same vet, although I requested a different one). She still can't feel any fracture or injury and she thinks now it may be Mareks, and that basically it is a very expensive referral (£170 plus X Rays £450) - and that's just to rule out the possibility of it being an injury (which they are not sure they could treat any way) - if Mareks then there's nothing that can be done anyway and my whole flock is probably infected - it wasn't a great consultation.
I know Marek's is everywhere - but no new birds introduced to flock for over a year - I've hatched a few myself. No known risks. Flock mixed bantams, mainly ones I hatched, some bought in over a year ago - a mixture of vaccinated and non-vaccinated.
Barry seems happy apart from the leg which he is dragging and seems unable to put pressure on (which does, I agree, look like Mareks - though I've only seen pictures). He has a slight redness on one leg - but no infection or swelling - and I can't see that it is Bumblefoot (again I've only seen pictures) and seems to be eating and drinking OK. I can't see any signs of injury or cuts or splinters etc. I don't think he has lost his sense of balance - he struggles with the one leg, but seems able to stand up and crows - although less active than usual.
I have separated him from the others, bit don't know what to do next. If there was a realistic chance of vet being able to help him, I'd try to fork out the money, although it's more than my current car is worth (son's pet - so extra emotional). But TBH I don't have much faith in them - and if it is Marek's then it sounds like a one-way ticket.
My inclination is to keep him separate and see how it goes - presumably if Marek's then his symptoms will get worse and it will become obvious? The downside is I guess I am putting rest of flock at risk - although as he has been running with the hens anyway - they're probably all infected by now anyway.
Is there anything else it could be? (I was hoping, just a sprain, but I would have expected him to get better more quickly if that were the case).
Sorry - long post - I really don't want to lose him, but don't know what's for the best. Grateful for any thoughts. Thanks.