Mareks - how young is too young?

[AhyokaAcres]

I had two chicks hatch out on 7/7/12, a Light Sussex and an Araucana, making them less than two weeks old. They are in with a few week old "babysitter" pullet, a cochin that was vaccinated by the breeder. All three are in my spare room in a brooder tub. How young is too young for a sickness to be Mareks?

The Araucana began acting sluggish yesterday, and looked very underweight along with having from her vent to her belly covered with dried poo. I saw her eat and drink whenever I would replace the food and water, but she kept looking worse. I put Corid in the water last night just in case.

By around midnight, she was sleeping a lot, droopy, and had a staggering/stumbling walk.

This morning she was on her side breathing hard, unable to stand or move. I came in to post this, but she was so bad that I am expecting her to be gone when I get back up there. There is a box of chicks next to them that came from Cackle, but I had the hatchery vaccinate them and they are all acting completely healthy as well.

I am very confused as to what it was, because some of these symptoms fit both Mareks AND Cocci.Both of the other chicks in with her are acting fine, as well as the box of Spitzhauben next to them, eating and drinking, but I would like to know what the verdict is before I go dump the bedding out, just in case I need to dispose of it another way and take a shower before going outside to feed and water the rest of the flock.

Thanks so much.

Arii

 

[madamwlf]

From what I've read young chicks can't get Mareks since they have a natural immunity to it. I would go with cocci and treat everyone for it.

 

[AhyokaAcres]

That's what I thought that I read. Thank you. I'll continue with the Corid for the other babies in that brooder, and change out the bedding when I get back home this evening.

 

[leadwolf1]

That is incorrect informattion. Chicks can be infected with Marek's as soon as they hatch. That is why they are vaccinated as day olds. If Marek's is a problem in your flock then the chicks, once vaccinated, would need to be isolated from the rest of the flock for at least two weeks up to 6 months

What you are describing sounds much more like Coccidiosis. You may need to dose the sickest chicks in order for them to get enough of the medication into their systems. Use an eye droppper and dose the chick with the amount of medication you would think that they would drink in one sitting. Do this every couple of hours untiil the chick starts drinking well on her own.

Another Marek's point...chicks rarely show signs of Marek's before 8 - 10 Weiss old. The only way to diagnose earlier is through necropsy.

 

[AhyokaAcres]

Would you recommend Corid or Sulmet? I have both, but heard that Sulmet should only be used on very sick chicks and not to prevent the spread of Cocchi as it is more abrasive on the system?

 

[leadwolf1]

I would use Corid, it treats all species of coccidia whereas Sulmet only treats a couple. Yes, you are right, it is much harsher on their system. Treat for 5 - 7 days. Do not be tempted to stop early.

 

[AhyokaAcres]

The instructions were a but confusing, how much would be best in a quart waterer? I didn't want to overdose, but under dosing would be just as bad.

 

[FlyHigher]

What color is the Stool?
If it is red, then probably coccidiosis

 

[leadwolf1]

I would need you to give me the type and strength of Corid before I could give you the dosage. Please let me know what you have there.

Droppings do not have to be red with blood for the chicks to have coccidia. As a matter of fact, once blood is seen, the infection has gone on a long time. If you wait, in most cases, to see blood, it is too late to treat. The intestinal lining has been damaged to the point of bleeding. It is much better to catch Coccidiosis sooner and treat. If you wait, to see the blood, it is often too late to treat with a good outcome.