Marek's disease

[mmyatt95]

a tea made from catnip may help to get over it we had a hen with it tried the tea it took a while but now shes a happy hen in the yard again and has raised a few chicks too

 

[Sommalincolne Bantie Roo]

Hi

Please can anyone give me any advice.
I haven't come across Mareks disease and l dont want to but l have only one silkie that is showing some kind of disease. ..Mareks?? The rest of the chicks are fine.

I incubated 16x eggs which had silkie and pekin. All hatched which was great!!!
It was a brand new brinsea octagon incubater.
At 4wks they went outside no problems everybody fine. Then l started to notice one silkie chick showing odd signs. It was stood with its head curled,
slightly twisted. It appeared to eat and drink okay so l kept a close eye on it. It seemed to get worse at stressful times. Then one day l couldn't tell which silkie it was as they were all fine.
Now they are 12wks and grown up with a roo 4wks older, hes wanting to start treading in a morning and causing a seen as they do.
The same silkie which had a problem has started again twisting its head and now its been picked on as its head is twisted and sitting in a corner.
I have now removed this silkie indoors to try and keep it from getting stressed hoping it will sort itself out. I have to help it drink as it doesn't always put its head up and of course its dribbling all the water out. It can eat and puts it head up normally.
It looks abit like vertigo?
Any ideas anyone. Is it best to put this poor silkie out of its misery or can it be treated? ?

Thank you

 

[Nambroth]

Hi

Please can anyone give me any advice.
I haven't come across Mareks disease and l dont want to but l have only one silkie that is showing some kind of disease. ..Mareks?? The rest of the chicks are fine.

I incubated 16x eggs which had silkie and pekin. All hatched which was great!!!
It was a brand new brinsea octagon incubater.
At 4wks they went outside no problems everybody fine. Then l started to notice one silkie chick showing odd signs. It was stood with its head curled,
slightly twisted. It appeared to eat and drink okay so l kept a close eye on it. It seemed to get worse at stressful times. Then one day l couldn't tell which silkie it was as they were all fine.
Now they are 12wks and grown up with a roo 4wks older, hes wanting to start treading in a morning and causing a seen as they do.
The same silkie which had a problem has started again twisting its head and now its been picked on as its head is twisted and sitting in a corner.
I have now removed this silkie indoors to try and keep it from getting stressed hoping it will sort itself out. I have to help it drink as it doesn't always put its head up and of course its dribbling all the water out. It can eat and puts it head up normally.
It looks abit like vertigo?
Any ideas anyone. Is it best to put this poor silkie out of its misery or can it be treated? ?

Thank you

I'm very sorry you are experiencing this!
Silkies, for whatever reason, seem to have a greater incidence of neurological issues... be it from disease, injury, or deficiency.

While it is possible that you are seeing Marek's disease, I personally would look to other causes first (while maintaining good bio-security just in case). This sounds like it could be Wry-Neck (Ataxia of the neck), which is not terribly uncommon in silkies. Here is a good article that explains what wry neck is (it is a symptom) and some treatment ideas. There are also a LOT of threads about it here that are brimming with information if you search for wry neck.
http://oureggbasket.blogspot.com/2013/04/wry-neck-or-crook-neck-understanding-it.html
A thread here on BYC outlining a treatment regimen: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/382088/wry-neck-treat-or-euthanize-updated-with-great-results
Another article with treatments: http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html


Because of the age of the silkie (young) it could be deficiency (vitamin E and/or Thiamine/B1), and because of the rambunctious rooster, it could be injury. It would be very hard for me to guess.

Can you get a photo of your silkie when it is twisting its head, so that we can see?

 

[Sommalincolne Bantie Roo]

Thank you so much for the links and a possible cause. I dont think its Mareks. I know silkies are quite temperamental.
Here are some pictures. ........

Thank you

 

[schnebbles]

I don't think mareks either. Wry neck would be my first guess. I hope you can get the vitamins in it so it's ok (assuming that's the cause). it's cute!

 

[Nambroth]

Poor kiddo. Other than the crooked neck and associated drinking problem, are there any other symptoms? Is the bird alert, perky, active (within reason... I know it probably acts off balance etc)? How are the droppings?

 

[Sommalincolne Bantie Roo]

Hi
The silkie seems very well in itself, eating growers and drinking with aid, poo normal. Active as for grooming but not physically walking. Also with a little help will stretch out its wing left/right not sure abt standing on one leg tho.
I have read the links provided by you which l am very grateful for and hoping for a possible recovery.
I have other silkies which lve only just started to breed so am kinda glad I've come across this knowing its common in vaulted skull injuries.

Ive been using Net-Tex Poultry nutri-drops as thats all l had in the house. Do you think l should stick with this or get the VitE with selenium capsules? ?
I will also try scrambled egg/yogurt for treats. I'll keep isolated until we improve.
Will keep you posted and many thanks Nambroth!

 

[Sommalincolne Bantie Roo]

Its been 3days since my little grower silkie is been treated for wry neck and yes l can see some little improvement but the only thing is since l started her on the VitE with selenium capsules she has had diarrhoea with odd normal stools but everyday since a very sloppy poo.
Has anyone else experienced this?
She was on poultry nuti-drops before and normal stools.

Do l carry on?

Eating and drinking very well.

Many thanks. ......

 

[chickenlove4]

Hey everyone I am new to chickens and have 6 6 day olds. Three of them have lumps on their neck, could that be Marek's disease? If not what could it be? Am calling the vet tomorrow but I can't sleep cuz I'm worried about the poor guys so I thought I'd get on and ask!

 

[Nambroth]

Hey everyone I am new to chickens and have 6 6 day olds. Three of them have lumps on their neck, could that be Marek's disease? If not what could it be? Am calling the vet tomorrow but I can't sleep cuz I'm worried about the poor guys so I thought I'd get on and ask!

I am willing to bet you are noticing their crops. Chicks eat a lot... They are growing, and normally engorge their crop often. It is easier to see on a chick than it is on a fluffy adult bird.

Chicks that are 6 days old can NOT be showing signs of Marek's.