Mareks?

[HntrInTheWoods]

I've got a hen that's probably about 2 1/2 mos old. She's recently started to have issues with balance. She's still mobile, and eats/drinks, but doesn't go too far unless she has to. Spends a lot of time laying in a hole she dug under the exit ramp from the coop. She always falls to the left side, and is always incredibly easy to just walk up to and pick up, even as the rest of the flock is losing it's mind. Just as I was thinking that I needed to put her down to protect the flock, she stood up, walked out, and literally balanced on her left side.. what gives? It seems to be getting worse, but then sometimes I check on her, and she's fine. No damage that I can see, as well..

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

There are multiple types of Marek's Disease. I will go through each including symptoms. Then we can go from there.

The first form is the Cutaneous form or the skin form. This is when there are large, red feather follicles and white bumps on the skin. These will form brown, crusty scabs.

The next form the Neurological form. This is one of the most common. It's caused by lesions that affect the nervous system. The symptoms are: Temporary paralysis which can resolve itself spontaneously; Progressive paralysis in the wings and/or legs; The twisting of the neck (similar to wry neck, but not permanent); Respiratory problems; Darkened comb due to lack of oxygen; And diarrhea.

The third form is Ocular or eye. The symptoms are: Graying of the eye; Misshapen iris; Blindness; And a non-reactive pupil.

The last form is Visceral or internal. Its symptoms are weight loss and cancerous tumors on internal organs.

It's also quite likely that your chicken will stop laying eggs.

It's untreatable in most cases and usually, results in the death of the bird. If your chicken has Marek's, culling would be the best option. Even if she survives, she would be a carrier for life which would put your flock in danger. Not to mention the disease would stay in the soil for 7 years.


My best wishes for you and your chooks!

 

[Eggcessive]

I've got a hen that's probably about 2 1/2 mos old. She's recently started to have issues with balance. She's still mobile, and eats/drinks, but doesn't go too far unless she has to. Spends a lot of time laying in a hole she dug under the exit ramp from the coop. She always falls to the left side, and is always incredibly easy to just walk up to and pick up, even as the rest of the flock is losing it's mind. Just as I was thinking that I needed to put her down to protect the flock, she stood up, walked out, and literally balanced on her left side.. what gives? It seems to be getting worse, but then sometimes I check on her, and she's fine. No damage that I can see, as well..

I would start some poultry vitamins in the water, or just give some orally in a concentrated form daily, in case of a vitamin deficiency. Poultry Cell is a good one, 1-2 ml per day orally. Make sure whichever one used has riboflavin which NutriDrench does not.
Mareks can strike at this age, but I would try to rule out a possible injury or another cause. When you pick her up and set her down, does she walk on both legs, or does one seem numb or paralyzed? Does she curl under her toes on either foot, or does she ever walk on her hocks (or knees?) Sometimes a leg bone deformity or a slipped tendon can make walking difficult. Here is a long but thorough article on Mareks, but I would keep helping her to get around and live a normal life, until she gets worse or improves with vitamins: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[HntrInTheWoods]

Thanks for the response. Yea, it's like Chatty said about the most common one, it seems to come and go at random. Every time I'd observed her having trouble with her left side, I'd start looking up what the problem could be, and then she'd just get up and casually stroll away. I'll go over and check her follicles and eyes in a little bit(I'm currently at work).

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Thanks for the response. Yea, it's like Chatty said about the most common one, it seems to come and go at random. Every time I'd observed her having trouble with her left side, I'd start looking up what the problem could be, and then she'd just get up and casually stroll away. I'll go over and check her follicles and eyes in a little bit(I'm currently at work).

Good luck!

 

[HntrInTheWoods]

Update.. she's been completely fine and running around with the flock everyday now.. apparently she's fully recovered!

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Update.. she's been completely fine and running around with the flock everyday now.. apparently she's fully recovered!

Wonderful! Congrats!

 

[Kiki]

Update.. she's been completely fine and running around with the flock everyday now.. apparently she's fully recovered!

What did you give her?

 

[HntrInTheWoods]

What did you give her?

Actually, I was waiting to see the symptoms return again after my last post, and they never did. Whatever was ailing her, she just needed to dig a hole and lay in it for a bit, and that was that.