Marek's Symptom in Sebright Hens?

[ClareScifi]

I worry about my Sebright bantam getting Marek's disease, as I have read they are highly susceptible to it as adults.

Recently she is not laying eggs. Is that a symptom of Marek's in Sebrights? She is almost 9 months old. She used to lay eggs about every other day.

 

[chicks are me]

I don't think so, but if she does have Marek's disease, a person on this website called moodychicken has a cure that uses the herb hypericum.

 

[ClareScifi]

Thanks for the info, chicks are me.

I learned from someone's old post that this breed often stops laying after late spring/early summer, due to the heat, and it's gotten warm here early this year, so I'm in hopes that is the reason she hasn't laid. It was sure reassuring to find that old post!

She said she probably won't lay again until early next spring.

I also read that this breed usually lay only 60-80 eggs per season, and my girl has already more than met this quota.

 

[chicks are me]

thats great!

it would be sooooo hard to have a chicken get sick and you didn't know what happened

 

[ClareScifi]

That is so true chicks are me. I live in constant fear and dread of that. So many things can go wrong.

She hasn't laid but seems as happy as can be. Probably less of a hassle for her.

 

[seminolewind]

Hi. There's alot of reasons why a hen's not laying. Too hot, too cold, molting, taking a break, etc. I would not think Marek's unless there were some other symptoms like paralysis or wasting.

 

[ClareScifi]

Thanks for the info. I found an old post someone had written which said this particular breed usually stops laying eggs at the end of spring;/beginning of summer, coinciding with high temperatures, and that's exactly when my girl stopped laying and hasn't laid since. She's a smart hen. Who would want to lay an egg in this weather? It was 101 F here today. LOL!

 

[seminolewind]

Yup, they certainly slow down in the summer!

 

[ClareScifi]

She has not laid a single egg since it turned hot. Is that normal? Or should I be worried?

 

[seminolewind]

No. Some breeds take a break, some don't , some slow down, it depends on alot of things. I would not be concerned unless she has other symptoms, like not eating, hunched up , "looking sick", etc.