Merricks????

[snowflake]

I have an 9 wk old hen with a lame leg, I have her separated from the rest, I don't know if it is an injury or a disease..... other then the lameness she seems fine. but does not try to stand on good leg. does any one know how long before other symptoms would show up or she would pass it it is Merrick's? thees chicks were to go to my daughter this week but now I think I will keep them for her an extra week to make sure no one else is affected. .....
I don't really know what to look for, what I found on line was not very helpful . she is eating and drinking and poo-ing so far. I think I will put plain paper under so it will be easier to see.
Any help from some one that has been through Merrick's would be helpful.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Hi snowflake. I can tell you what I have experienced in the last week. My rooster (almost 7 months) started limping a week ago. I had a vet check him out. He thinks it is Marek's and is doing blood work, still waiting on the results. He held him and flipped his foot so it went backwards under him with the top of his foot on the ground. He did not try to right it, leading the vet to believe he has nerve damage. He is not in any pain, that my vet could tell. He hops around trying to keep up with the girls. He does sit a lot. He used to only sit for dust baths.

I think if your hen has it, the others have already been exposed. No need to quarantine. I've read that it is airborne and if your hens have it, the whole area is contaminated. It sounds like (and I'm just guessing here) if you vaccinate them it would help. Apparently this disease can go from numbness to paralysis and possibly death. I read that the vaccine can help prevent the paralysis.

Do you have access to an aviary vet? I hope this is helpful.

 

[snowflake]

Thank you for the reply, please let me know what the results are. I do not have an aviary vet but I will try to see if I can find one.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Check with your local 4-H chapter, maybe they know one. I will let you know, I should hear from the vet tomorrow or wednesday.