Leg lameness

[Notafancytaco]

Hello,
I have an ongoing issue with my chickens every few weeks or so a chicken becomes lame. We are on #4. They develop a heavy limp on one side. It progresses to not being able to move at all. I separate them but we haven’t had any recover. One simply died and the other 3 were humanely dispatched.
I am worried it is Mareks but I don’t know what I can do as all chickens are over 19weeks old.
I have also treated them with corrid and dewormer. I have switched them to medicated chick starter as well.

 

[Debbie292d]

In case it's a vitamin deficiency, I would try giving them a vitamin supplement in their water, such as Nutra Drench or Poultry Cell. I would go back to regular starter feed while you are doing Corid and/or medicated feed, but then immediately give them the vitamins. After dewormer, they also should have probiotics. The best is fermented feed or Greek yogurt. Hydro Hen or ACV w/ mother in their water works too but then alternate days with the vitamin water.

 

[Eggcessive]

What are you feeding your birds? It does sound like Mareks unfortunately. The age for symptoms fits the usual time. What is your general location? If you lose a bird or cull one, contact your state vet for a necropsy. Here is a list of state vets, and I would call yours now, just for the info and how to keep the body cold, when to bring it in, etc:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Here is some reading about Mareks disease:
https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vdl/colorado-avian-health-program/mareks-disease/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/