Marek's or something else?

[Alaska_Flock]

Several days ago I noticed our almost 6 month old polish was caring her left wing a little low. I didn't think much of it because she was still out running around with the other chickens. A couple days after that she was spending the afternoon on the coop and seemed a little wobbly but still walking. I thought maybe she had hurt her foot or leg but there wasn't any signs of injury. She has gotten to where she can not stand up and take more than a few wobbly steps and falls over, then she fluffs all her feathers up. She is able to sit up right. She does sometimes hold one leg back like meraks but mostly sits upright

ive noticed that her toes are sometimes held in a curled position but they will straighten themselves out if she tries to take a few steps.

I tried taking some videos but it will not let me upload them so I have a few photos

I'm curious how long do you guys recommend supportive care?

I went to the store and got infant liquid vitamins without iron and have been giving her those 2 times a day for the past couple days. If it is a vitamin difecency when should I start to see signs of improvement?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like Mareks. I generally give them a week or two before culling, just in case I see some improvements, but I never do unfortunately.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, yes, I think it sounds like Marek's too, but that doesn't mean necessarily that she can't survive it. Should would be a carrier forever and it could make her sick again is circumstances are right (stress, illness, etc.)
And we could be wrong! I would keep up the supportive care for now. I hope some others share their perspectives, as well, so you have more to work with. Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[Alaska_Flock]

Current update on the bird: she is still eating and drinking well and alert. She actually has gotten to where she stands and hops on one leg very well, I know this might not be a sign of improvement but a sign of her adapting to her handicap.

I have noticed that the leg she stands and hops on seems to be the one that she doesn't move her toes on. She doesn't really use the one where she is able to move the toes.

We are going to give her a little bit more time and see if she improves anymore

 

[Alaska_Flock]

we have since moved the bird back out to the coop. We were taking her out in the yard to pick at the grass and it seemed to boost her moral and she did a lot more moving around and managing on one leg. When I went to take her out this morning she is walking in both feet! I'm not sure what she had going on with her because it has been a month but she is now acting fine?

I just wanted to give a update incase anyone else has a bird showing similar symptoms. Honestly she wasn't showing great progress at the 2 week mark and we didn't think she would ever get use of the leg again.

 

[Lolacan]

It does sound like Marek's. My Marek's birds looked happy the whole time they were symptomatic and looked like they were eating but they weren't, so they were wasting as well.

 

[Lolacan]

I'm glad things turned around!