MJ's little flock

[RoyalChick]

A pullet update is overdue I think.

A couple of days ago I became worried about the Australorp's and the Brahma's poop, which had been consistently loose for too long to ignore, so I started adding probiotics to their water. I'm pleased to say digestion is improving and pain poses have completely gone.

The Australorp and the Brahma have much more energy and are nowhere near as listless as they had been since moving in.

I'm also pleased that Bernadette and the Australorp are growing new tail feathers.

And Bernadette and the Brahma have vastly improved face colouring. The Australorp has also improved in her colouring but not to the same extent as the other two.

Pecking is almost non-existent.

So everything is tracking well. They have vet appointments on Friday morning.

I continue to worry that Bernadette might have Mareks. Sometimes she lifts her feet excessively high when taking a step. I wonder if it's an expression of neuro-degeneration.

And if she's got it, so have the other two. That's how Mareks works if I'm not mistaken.

Glad to hear they are feeling better and I really hope it isn’t Marek’s. You may remember I do have Marek’s in my flock happy to share any lessons learned if that is where you land.
Vet should be able to do a PCR test on a mouth swab or spot of blood but it isn’t foolproof so good to do a coop swab as well.

 

[LozzyR]

A pullet update is overdue I think.

A couple of days ago I became worried about the Australorp's and the Brahma's poop, which had been consistently loose for too long to ignore, so I started adding probiotics to their water. I'm pleased to say digestion is improving and pain poses have completely gone.

The Australorp and the Brahma have much more energy and are nowhere near as listless as they had been since moving in.

I'm also pleased that Bernadette and the Australorp are growing new tail feathers.

And Bernadette and the Brahma have vastly improved face colouring. The Australorp has also improved in her colouring but not to the same extent as the other two.

Pecking is almost non-existent.

So everything is tracking well. They have vet appointments on Friday morning.

I continue to worry that Bernadette might have Mareks. Sometimes she lifts her feet excessively high when taking a step. I wonder if it's an expression of neuro-degeneration.

And if she's got it, so have the other two. That's how Mareks works if I'm not mistaken.

How worrying that you’ve had to treat the new girls so soon. They are so lucky they got to come and live at your place.

 

[MaryJanet]

How worrying that you’ve had to treat the new girls so soon. They are so lucky they got to come and live at your place.

The elderly chap I bought them from had too many birds for diligent care. I don't think they had been properly fed and watered. It's amazing his birds seemed so healthy. That said, I'm not great at spotting a sick chook and wouldn't really know.

They drank 1.5 litres in their first 30 hours at my place. And they ate a lot too. That change alone would've been a big change for their digestion. No wonder they got the splatters. The probiotics have been good for them.

I'm in two minds whether I buy from him in future.

 

[MaryJanet]

Glad to hear they are feeling better and I really hope it isn’t Marek’s. You may remember I do have Marek’s in my flock happy to share any lessons learned if that is where you land.
Vet should be able to do a PCR test on a mouth swab or spot of blood but it isn’t foolproof so good to do a coop swab as well.

Thanks. If needs be, I'll reach out.

 

[MaryJanet]

Here's a video of Bernadette taking one of her trademark exaggerated steps as she crosses the threshold.

Dr Mark will look at her feet and legs tomorrow.

 

[BY Bob]

Here's a video of Bernadette taking one of her trademark exaggerated steps as she crosses the threshold.

Dr Mark will look at her feet and legs tomorrow.

You are right. Those steps are exaggerated. I'll be Iverson to hear what the doctrine thinks they are. That is a great video to share.

 

[MaryJanet]

You are right. Those steps are exaggerated. I'll be Iverson to hear what the doctrine thinks they are. That is a great video to share.

I'm recalling that every flock already carries Marek's. If immunity is high, symptoms won't be expressed. A bird exhibiting symptoms can "get better" over time if the immune system strengthens. Reducing stress improves the immune system.

Stress is reduced through adequate feeding, watering, hygiene and preventing overcrowding.

Dr Mark took a moment's glance at the video above and said Marek's. Then we talked through the above details and he said you could return her or opt for euthanasia or give her a few months to see if she improves.

Quarantine has another two weeks anyway. So I'll see how she tracks and take time to consider the options carefully. One decision is already made, I wouldn't feel ok about returning her.

I'm grateful her buddies are not exhibiting symptoms. Their immune systems are doing well.

I'm also grateful to have found someone who sells Mareks vaccinated, vent sexed chicks, and I'll be expanding the flock with them in a couple of years.

 

[MaryJanet]

All three pullets are very happy to be home again.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm recalling that every flock already carries Marek's. If immunity is high, symptoms won't be expressed. A bird exhibiting symptoms can "get better" over time if the immune system strengthens. Reducing stress improves the immune system.

Stress is reduced through adequate feeding, watering, hygiene and preventing overcrowding.

Dr Mark took a moment's glance at the video above and said Marek's. Then we talked through the above details and he said you could return her or opt for euthanasia or give her a few months to see if she improves.

Quarantine has another two weeks anyway. So I'll see how she tracks and take time to consider the options carefully. One decision is already made, I wouldn't feel ok about returning her.

I'm grateful her buddies are not exhibiting symptoms. Their immune systems are doing well.

I'm also grateful to have found someone who sells Mareks vaccinated, vent sexed chicks, and I'll be expanding the flock with them in a couple of years.

Oh dear. Sorry to hear about that.
Marek’s has different strains and some are more deadly than others. Some kill chicks at 8-12 weeks at 80% levels and others cause tumors later in life.
Probably the differences are both the strain and the individual infected.

 

[MaryJanet]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear about that.
Marek’s has different strains and some are more deadly than others. Some kill chicks at 8-12 weeks at 80% levels and others cause tumors later in life.
Probably the differences are both the strain and the individual infected.

Well, that's another factor to consider.

Does "more deadly" also mean "more virulent"?