- Oct 20, 2011
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I am usually a lurker, but now have a problem and can't seem to find the answer anywhere.
Last week we had a hen with an apparent leg injury. She wasn't wanting to walk on it, but there was no heat, no swelling, and no obvious cuts, sores, or anything of the sort. I isolated her from the flock and provided food and water. She ate and drank well and was seeming to improve, being able to stand and hobble about a bit, until I went in one morning (after about a week) and found her dead.
Two days ago I found another hen with a bit of a limp. I looked her over and again found no sign of injury. I isolated her and she seems to have a good appetite just like the other hen. Yesterday, however, the limp was more pronounced and the toes are beginning to curl so that she is walking on her "knuckles."
Both of these hens are Dominiques, both roughly 42 weeks old. Our flock is made up of a few other Dominiques and other assorted breeds and hybrids. They are free-range during the day and in a secure coop and adjoining pen at night. There are/were no symptoms of being egg-bound, no runny noses or goopy eyes, and both seem(ed) in good spirits (not lethargic) and eating/drinking well, still laying eggs and "talking" to me whenever I was around.
Am I seeing Mareks disease, or is there something else going on? I did get them from a feed store, so I doubt they were vaccinated. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. I would love to be able to save this second hen and prevent whatever-it-is from happening again.
TIA,
Carrie, central Illinois
Last week we had a hen with an apparent leg injury. She wasn't wanting to walk on it, but there was no heat, no swelling, and no obvious cuts, sores, or anything of the sort. I isolated her from the flock and provided food and water. She ate and drank well and was seeming to improve, being able to stand and hobble about a bit, until I went in one morning (after about a week) and found her dead.
Two days ago I found another hen with a bit of a limp. I looked her over and again found no sign of injury. I isolated her and she seems to have a good appetite just like the other hen. Yesterday, however, the limp was more pronounced and the toes are beginning to curl so that she is walking on her "knuckles."
Both of these hens are Dominiques, both roughly 42 weeks old. Our flock is made up of a few other Dominiques and other assorted breeds and hybrids. They are free-range during the day and in a secure coop and adjoining pen at night. There are/were no symptoms of being egg-bound, no runny noses or goopy eyes, and both seem(ed) in good spirits (not lethargic) and eating/drinking well, still laying eggs and "talking" to me whenever I was around.
Am I seeing Mareks disease, or is there something else going on? I did get them from a feed store, so I doubt they were vaccinated. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. I would love to be able to save this second hen and prevent whatever-it-is from happening again.
TIA,
Carrie, central Illinois
