Marek's? Please say I'm just crazy.

[Painted Calls]

Here is one of the new pullets I brought home last Tuesday I believe.

Was told that the breeder's farm she came from is NPIP certified and checked. I have bought birds from this breeder in the past no issues.

I picked them up later in the evening. They were sleepy. Brought them home and put them straight into their QT coop to sleep. Wound up having to separate her from her 2 sisters because they relentlessly picked on her. I also noticed she is super skinny and lethargic and has lice. I thought ok - she's lethargic and thin from the bullies not letting her eat enough, having lice, and finishing up a molt.

Here we are a week later and now she is super unstable on her feet. She prefers to lay in the house. She doesn't seem interested in food unless I'm hand feeding her. I did however witness her eat on her own this morning and come out for a drink yesterday eve. Otherwise I've been taking her out and setting her in front of the water. After getting a drink, she slowly lumbers back in.

Today was "lice day" and it's very nice out. Sunny and 64 degrees. I thought it would be a good day to trap her out in the run to get some sun. Here is a video of how that went. She is wet from being sprayed for lice.

Sorry about the video quality. I'm new to the video stuff... That and I have an ancient phone.

Comparison between her two sisters and her:

Please tell me she's just weak from all the issues I mentioned.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Just because you purchased from an NPIP breeder doesn't mean they can't have Mareks. Your existing flock could spread it to the new chickens as well if they were carriers of the disease. If you want to test for it, here is a website you can order testing.

http://www.vetdna.com/test-type/avi...5u8AdhzU2jj4OHMxqD2a7vdayJKSBzO1f4gQv9Qxd_2SI

EDIT: How are you treating for the lice?

 

[Painted Calls]

Sorry for my post being so long. Yes, I am treating for the lice. That's why she is wet in the videos.

Yes, I'm aware of that. That's why I contacted the breeder and asked.. Still waiting on that reply.. My existing birds are clean and nowhere near the three new pullets.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Are you spraying with permethrin I assume?

 

[Painted Calls]

Are you spraying with permethrin I assume?

Yes

 

[Matilda Belle]

It could be a deficiency as well. Do you have any vitamins on hand? Is her poop normal?

She's adorable btw.

 

[Painted Calls]

Thank you!

Yes - Nutri-drench is in her water and I gave her some B complex last week.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I also noticed she is super skinny and lethargic and has lice. I thought ok - she's lethargic and thin from the bullies not letting her eat enough, having lice, and finishing up a molt.

Here we are a week later and now she is super unstable on her feet. She prefers to lay in the house. She doesn't seem interested in food unless I'm hand feeding her. I did however witness her eat on her own this morning and come out for a drink yesterday eve.

It very well could be Marek's, hard to know.
Getting some testing would be a good idea though.

How old is she?
You mention she's finishing up molting(?) is that adult molt or juvenile molt?
What do you feed?

I would start her on Vitamin E along with 1/4 tablet Vitamin B-Complex daily. Give her an 18-20% protein feed like chick starter or all flock/flock raiser. Give Egg as daily treat.

Since she's not eating/drinking well, you may need to help her or try to entice her. Wet her feed to make a mash. Bits of something like a couple of chopped up grapes, strawberries, etc added to the feed is sometimes interesting. Not a lot, just enough to get her attention.

She's adorable, I'm sorry she's having trouble. Sadly, NPIP is not a guarantee that birds won't get sick. Usually it means that the flock is AI (Avian Influenza) and Pullorum or Salmonella free, but it depends on the state program.

 

[Painted Calls]

Thank you!

She is 4-5 months old. He couldn't remember exactly. So not really sure what molt this would be. Definitely not juvenile.

I feed Flock Raiser crumbles.

Finally got the breeder. He said that he of course can't rule out Mareks because of shows and such, but he has not seen any symptoms in any of his other birds. He feels terrible and is helping me sort her out the best he can.

I have her on the Flock Raiser crumbles. I will try wetting it. I have the B complex and I'll start giving that to her today. I'll have to grab some E. I tried giving her scrambled egg. She was not interested at all. You think it would go over better mixed into the mash?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you!

She is 4-5 months old. He couldn't remember exactly. So not really sure what molt this would be. Definitely not juvenile.

I feed Flock Raiser crumbles.

Finally got the breeder. He said that he of course can't rule out Mareks because of shows and such, but he has not seen any symptoms in any of his other birds. He feels terrible and is helping me sort her out the best he can.

I have her on the Flock Raiser crumbles. I will try wetting it. I have the B complex and I'll start giving that to her today. I'll have to grab some E. I tried giving her scrambled egg. She was not interested at all. You think it would go over better mixed into the mash?

You can try the egg in the mash.
How is she doing today?