I think one of my 4 five and a half month old hens has Marek's disease. At first she was having trouble walking, stumbling over her feet and looking lethargic. She was pumping her tail feathers and holding them low, but I never saw or felt any sign of a first egg(she hasn't begun laying yet). I have had her isolated and on a heating pad for 3 days now. She is moving very little today and can no longer stand at all. She has been eating and drinking and pooping. Today I tried homeopathic remedy called Hypericum recommended by MoodyChicken. I tried to follow your instructions but had to guess at the strength of the tablets. There was 6c 30c and 200ck at the store. Which is best? I did dissolve one in a tablespoon of distilled water and gave her 15 drops. She did not enjoy the process. Is there a recommended way to administer droplets? Reading more about Marek's Disease I haven't learned if I should just continue to isolate my affected hen and hope she recovers, if there is no hope at all, or if I should "eliminate" her as soon as possible for the safety of the other hens. Does anyone have any input? Thanks, Kristy
I will tell you that if she does indeed have Mareks, killing her to protect the others is worthless as they have already been exposed to the disease. If they will get it they will, whether she is still around or not. I can offer no real recommendations as this disease is rare for a bird to survive with a good prognosis, unless you want to treat a bird that cannot walk and take care of it for the rest of its life. I know about treating birds for various illnesses, some have been for Mareks and I tell you, it is noble for a while as your doing a good thing for her/him, but after a month or two, and if there is no improvement, it gets tiring. If you are able to take care of it long term, and want to, then do, but I have learned its easier to put it down before it gets to that point. I give it a few weeks (2) at the most for treatment. If it shows no improvement, then I put it down.
I've been nursing her all weekend. She is still eating and drinking, though not much. She is pooping still. She can no longer hold herself up and falls on her side. So, I have her propped up in a nest of towels. She isn't improving. I think I will give her a few more days to see if she recovers at all. Her skin around her vent is puffy and her feather follicles seem swollen. Is that Mareks as well? Thanks
