Marek's disease?

[Shrader]

This morning, one of my hens is having trouble with her right leg.
She won't put any weight on it, and she's limping horribly when she walks.
I picked her up and looked at it, couldn't see anything.
What could it be?
She's eating, laying, pooping normally. Seems alright otherwise.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[Lobzi]

Does she have to jump down from a rather high roost? What is on the ground for her to land on? My thoughts are that she might have landed wrong on that leg. I worry about mine getting hurt so I put an old piece of carpeting for them to land on.

 

[birdlover]

Also, check the bottom of her foot to make sure she doesn't have any kind of sore or cut. You don't want bumblefoot to set in (infection) as that can get worse and kill her if not treated. Hope she just strained her leg jumping down from the roost. :sigh: Soo many things to worry about, huh?!

 

[Shrader]

Thanks to both of you.

I just had a chicken suddenly die last week. She got really lethargic then put her head down and died. Now this one is limping. Does that sound like there's Marek's Disease in my flock?

If that's the case, what do I do?

Thanks.

 

[birdlover]

It is possible. If this one dies, I'd definitely take it to get a necropsy done. If you are dealing with a disease, you definitely will want to know what it is so you can act accordingly. Here is a website about different chicken ailments: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS044 Mareks disease is the first one listed under viral infections. Also, at the bottom of the website is a very handy chart to check out which symptoms you are seeing. (It's the second chart you want, I think). Keep an eye on her today and see if she acts sickly. If so, isolate her from the rest. Wishing you the best!

 

[tiki244]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=135247

 

[MoodyChicken]

Quote:
That's how Marek's Disease manifests itself in my flock. The symptoms can be very diverse and can very from bird to bird.

You can treat the sick birds (read the link that Tiki posted). Let the virus run its course. It sounds terrible, I know. But it will pick off the weak and leave you with your strongest, healthiest birds. Those that recover will breed more resistant babies too (higher antibody count).

Best of luck! Marek's is really tragic, but not impossible to treat!