Mareks?

raelee4

Chirping
10 Years
Jun 1, 2012
9
0
60
About a month and half ago I had a 7 month old chicken go partially lame with slightly curled toes and sounded stuffy. I separated her from that flock and gave vitamins. When I moved her lame leg there was some crunching in her hip area. Once she was what I thought to be recovered, I put her in with a different flock of docile meat birds. Within a week she had passed away but not due to the other chickens, they never messed with her even after she passed. Yesterday one of the meat birds (who has always had an eyelid that wouldnt open), approx 6 months old, couldn't walk so I separated her. This morning she was suffering with her neck twisted and body contorted. Then I checked on everyone else and have another chicken in my larger flock that is just sitting. I got her to get up but she is weak on her right side. No other symptoms are ever visible before being lame. No signs of bumblefoot. They all are in enclosures (due to predator population) that get sunlight, are fed scratch grain with layer, hay in part of enclosures with the rest being dirt and 24/7 access to water. Thank you for any help. I have 5 different flocks ranging from a qty of 2 - 12 birds of many different varieties. The largest flock does share their home with 2 ducks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Also our chickens are non vaccinated and have not been treated for worms. Their poop has been normal. Eyes look normal. Loss of weight in the meat bird but not in the other 2. Closest place I have found to do necropsy for broad testing is 3 hours away but I am still trying to find somewhere closer.
 
It sounds more like possible Mareks disease, but injuries can also cause lameness on one side. The twisted neck may be common in avian flu, Newcastles disease, and Mareks, but is also sometimes a sign of vitamin E deficiency and head injuries. Avian flu has been found in the US for the past couple of years. The only way to know what the problem is, is to have a state vet pathologist perform a necropsy. @raelee4 you can call your state vet to ask about getting a prepaid label sent to you to overnight ship a body for a necropsy. Here is a list of state vets to call:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html
 

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