MammaBella
In the Brooder
- Dec 28, 2020
- 4
- 12
- 26
Hi All,
Longtime reader, but first-time poster! Sorry for the garbled explanation that comes next, but I'm looking for some guidance on Marek's Disease in 3-month-old chicks.
I've read a few posts on Backyard Chickens that address the scourge that is Marek's Disease. Although I'd heard of Marek's in passing (nowhere near as frequently as Coccidiosis) it never crossed my mind until I adopted two chicks in early Nov. I previously/currently have a flock of mostly ISA brown ex-battery girls (an ISA rooster) (Ginger, Poppy & Moose), an Australorp (Daisy), and an extreeeeemely broody Plymouth Rock (Dot). My shenanigans began in late October when Dot decided she wasn't going to leave the nest, coming into Summer we thought it might be nice for her to have two bubs of her own. When none of our eggs hatched and appeared chickless, we felt it was time to give Dot some babies of her own. I located a local breeder (which I realise now was my first mistake) and collected two beautiful little bubs from her - Dolly and Dede (Sussex x Rhode Island Red & Plymouth Rock x Rhode Island Red). All was going well until last Monday, when I found Dede paralysed in her nest box, after a trip to the vet it was confirmed as Marek's Disease. It's now Monday of the second week, Dede is still with us, and tomorrow I am going to try Acyclovir and St. John's Wort (maybe Lysine later if we get to that stage), I am also thinking of buying Avi-Vital to give her some extra nutrition.
My question is, does anyone know how to accurately measure out the dosage of Acyclovir for a small chick (she is around 3 months old - but still light in my hands) I am also planning to get Zovirax in tablet form (500 mg) and wondering how to measure out the 10 mg powder (thinking maybe a pipet?) or would it be better to use the small syringes from the vet (currently used for giving Meloxicam 0.25 mL AM/PM). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Longtime reader, but first-time poster! Sorry for the garbled explanation that comes next, but I'm looking for some guidance on Marek's Disease in 3-month-old chicks.
I've read a few posts on Backyard Chickens that address the scourge that is Marek's Disease. Although I'd heard of Marek's in passing (nowhere near as frequently as Coccidiosis) it never crossed my mind until I adopted two chicks in early Nov. I previously/currently have a flock of mostly ISA brown ex-battery girls (an ISA rooster) (Ginger, Poppy & Moose), an Australorp (Daisy), and an extreeeeemely broody Plymouth Rock (Dot). My shenanigans began in late October when Dot decided she wasn't going to leave the nest, coming into Summer we thought it might be nice for her to have two bubs of her own. When none of our eggs hatched and appeared chickless, we felt it was time to give Dot some babies of her own. I located a local breeder (which I realise now was my first mistake) and collected two beautiful little bubs from her - Dolly and Dede (Sussex x Rhode Island Red & Plymouth Rock x Rhode Island Red). All was going well until last Monday, when I found Dede paralysed in her nest box, after a trip to the vet it was confirmed as Marek's Disease. It's now Monday of the second week, Dede is still with us, and tomorrow I am going to try Acyclovir and St. John's Wort (maybe Lysine later if we get to that stage), I am also thinking of buying Avi-Vital to give her some extra nutrition.
My question is, does anyone know how to accurately measure out the dosage of Acyclovir for a small chick (she is around 3 months old - but still light in my hands) I am also planning to get Zovirax in tablet form (500 mg) and wondering how to measure out the 10 mg powder (thinking maybe a pipet?) or would it be better to use the small syringes from the vet (currently used for giving Meloxicam 0.25 mL AM/PM). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hello and welcome to BYC, You found an Awesome poultry Forum to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members who are more then willing to jump in and help you with any questions you may have. 
