Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Frankiegirl]

I grew up in Toledo. Sounds like we might have been neighbors in the past

 

[Frankiegirl]

I think my butterscotch may have Marek’s. I am working with her and it appears that she has weakness on her left leg again, third time since January, but cant be for certain. I realize once a bird has mareks there is really nothing that can be done. She isnt losing her appetite, just simply cant move around. Almost like she injured her leg which is making her lost her balance.

Do any of you supplement with vitamins? I am giving her and everyone else this week water with electrolytes and vitamins since it appears it will be in the 80s. Should I consider vaccinating my big girls for mareks and also, if I want to do a fecal test, how do I go about that? There is only 1 vet in town that see exotics. I can cross post this also on the ER site, but I wanted to get info from the experts here first.

 

[Folly's place]

Check with the MSU veterinary path lab about testing; Dr. Fulton there is a poultry expert, and there's testing available. There's a test that can be done on a live bird, as I remember.
And you can send things right to them directly.
If your bird has Marek's disease, your entire flock and property has Marek's, so vaccinating your current birds will do nothing. it would be good to know, one way or the other, so you can plan ahead.
If she's miserable, having her euthanized and a necropsy done at MSU will give you complete information.
So sorry!
Mary

 

[Frankiegirl]

Check with the MSU veterinary path lab about testing; Dr. Fulton there is a poultry expert, and there's testing available. There's a test that can be done on a live bird, as I remember.
And you can send things right to them directly.
If your bird has Marek's disease, your entire flock and property has Marek's, so vaccinating your current birds will do nothing. it would be good to know, one way or the other, so you can plan ahead.
If she's miserable, having her euthanized and a necropsy done at MSU will give you complete information.
So sorry!
Mary

Thanks Mary....this is good information. Although I dont know how to monitor pain and discomfort in chickens, she seems in really good spirits otherwise. Still eating well, and laying eggs. I will keep a close eye on her and if questions pop up I will of course ask.

None of my other birds are showing any signs. I keep a journal so reading back, there seems to be no other issues. Fingers crossed and thanks again.

 

[snowflake]

I have had birds with Meric's and it did not take that long before they sopped eating and moving about. Keep in mind a necropsey is very expensive. Cost me over $100 ,8 yrs ago and I am sure it is more now.
But I don't remember any of them getting better after showing signs. So if your bird seemed lame but then improved, then got sick again, you may be looking at something else. That said Dr. Fulton was wonderful and answered any questions, You could send him an e-mail and see if he has any suggestions?

 

[Frankiegirl]

Thanks everyone! I am going to reach out to him to see what the possibilities are. She’s been on and off for several months now and no one else is showing symptoms so maybe she simply hurt her leg.

On a side note, these little babies are just the cutest. They are running around the brooder like little airplanes. I love these little critters!

 

[1muttsfan]

Mfranks, best of luck with her. While Mareks is bad news, it does not mean that all your birds will succumb, nor that you will not be able to continue to keep birds. It would mean that birds should not leave your property once they have entered.

 

[1muttsfan]

The second shipment of Bantam Speckled Sussex eggs arrived today, 3 days in transit, and in quite good shape - air cells are loose but that is pretty much to be expected. 7 eggs and a dozen Arkansas Blues in the incubator, and another dozen AB's under my very determined broody, who while surprised at the bounty that suddenly appeared in her nest immediately settled over them, tucking each egg up under her bloomers.

 

[RaZ]

tucking each egg up under her bloomers.

Up to her bloomers!?
I laughed way too much over that visualization.

 

[RaZ]

Thanks wasen't feeling welcome. Didn't even say anything about selling. Have a surplus of birds was just seeing if anyone local was interested.

That happens from time to time. Our Michigan thread tends to display a lot of familiarity while chatting. Some times it seems like we are enjoying an "inside" joke that doesn't always translate in a text format. Rest assured that we are really friendly and helpful. We welcome all poultry aficionados. Just jump into the conversation.