Marek’s Disease… Something Else?

[govolsguy31]

So, we’ve had this mystic black onyx since she was a pullet in early May. About a month, maybe 6 weeks ago, I came out to her laying in a submissive position with the other girls attacking her in the run. I grabbed her and put her in our secondary pen with another pullet that had an injury. I honestly didn’t think she’d make it overnight as she was barely moving (assuming now that she was just in shock). The next day, she got down out of the coop, but basically laid on the ground there all day. This happened for about a week, several days we even had to get her out of the coop ourselves and move her to a cinder block in front of the waterer. What I at first thought might be a leg injury quickly lead me to Marek’s disease. We decided to let her enjoy life as long as she has and when the time came, we’d do what’s necessary.

6 weeks later, she seems to be doing better. Is this still Probably Marek’s disease and she’s just doing better for a time, or could this be something else? She moves around the coop and secondary run with the other pullet (they get along great). However, she still lays on the ground most days and she walks almost exclusively on her tippy-toes. She also tends to use her wings to balance her walk it seems. What do you all think?

(Just FYI, Her having a second “thumb” toe is typical of her breed)

 

[MysteryChicken]

She could have a vitamin deficiency, or an ear infection. I'd check her ears, & do vitamin therapy.

Marek's affected birds typically don't walk around periodically while their legs are paralyzed.

 

[Kiki]

What exactly do you feed and can you take a clear video of how she is walking now and upload it to YouTube?

Do you have other birds that have had difficulty walking recently or ever?

 

[govolsguy31]

Yes, I’ve got a video. Let me get it uploaded and post the link here. I’ll do that this evening.

No, never had anything like this happen. We’ve got 16 birds total, all hens. Have lost a couple over the years, but no leg injuries (or problems with legs) or problems walking.

We feed Nutrena NatureWise FlockShield 16% protein layer pellet. They have access to oyster shell as well.

How would I go about checking her ears?