MJ's little flock

[BDutch]

That's right. But Bernadette hasn't been tested, her diagnosis was from symptoms. Dr Mark needed a split second to watch her gait and say "yes, that's Marek's." And I'm not taking a chicken along to the Tuesday morning appointment. The appointment is for conversation aimed at information-gathering.

Even if the pullets don't hold out much longer, if there is a test available in Australia, I would request it for the hens so I can be more informed about their well-being in the future.

Lastly, when a disease is as contagious as Marek's it's not very wise to continue backyard quarantine for very long, no matter how stringent. All it takes is a windy day to blow the dander over to the hens.

So it's important to resolve the questions about available tests as soon as possible, and that's Tuesday morning.

I feel very sorry for you MJ.
Soo much bad luck it seems almost impossible. It probably feels as if you won a very bad lottery.

 

[MaryJanet]

I feel very sorry for you MJ.
Soo much bad luck it seems almost impossible. It probably feels as if you won a very bad lottery.

Thank you for being kind

 

[BY Bob]

I know. But you're not looking at the symptoms. Or thinking about putting the other four hens through it.

Pullet Australorp drops normal-ish poops now but her eyes are weeping badly and I'm not sure she can see.

Bernadette has neurological symptoms effecting her gait and ability to balance on the roost.

Pullet Brahma is pretty much pooping water. Hopefully that'll improve when the probiotics cease.

They couldn't be living a better life. All they can eat. All they can drink. Room to avoid each other. Dust bathing. Shade. Sunshine.

Yet the symptoms persist.

Is it right to decide "more testing" when things are not going well? Empathy in the form of ending their suffering has to come in at some point. And firsthand observations are essential in making that judgement call.

That said, I've made an appointment with Dr Jing at the new chicken vets because she's pro-testing and would know for sure if we can test for Marek's strains in Australia. The nurse said sometimes they send samples over to Perth, so maybe there's a lab over there. One positive outcome of that quick call was that the nurse confirmed my existing knowledge about the different strains and asymptomatic infections, and she confirmed my quarantine practices. So I'm very grateful to @RoyalChick for sharing her knowledge and to everyone else for chiming in.

The appointment is on Tuesday morning at 8.30.

I must have missed something along the way as iwas totally unaware the pullets were showing such symptoms outside of Bernadette. That does change your decision.

I know you will do what is best for them. At least they had this time in a safe loving environment.

 

[MaryJanet]

I must have missed something along the way as iwas totally unaware the pullets were showing such symptoms outside of Bernadette. That does change your decision.

I know you will do what is best for them. At least they had this time in a safe loving environment.

I don't always have the time for detailed posts.

Also, it's a very changing situation. As the probiotics step down, the Brahma's poops may change. Maybe the Australorps eyes will improve?

They all certainly have high energy when first let out of the coop in the morning. They always dash around and have play fights.

But like every flock, things change daily and these words I write today will be a little inaccurate tomorrow and vastly out of step next week.

 

[MaryJanet]

@RoyalChick what is your 10-15 year plan for the flock? I am considering patiently waiting for the ladies in the flock to pass away, deep cleaning, turfing over the soil, then waiting a few years before re-starting with vaccinated chicks. Trouble is, I'll be quite old by then.

 

[Shadrach]

I suspect though that the chickens should not be present while you use either

https://www.revivalanimal.com/learning-center/how-to-use-oxine-ah

I recal reading that activated oxine is misted into the air in some commercial poultry concerns to combat respiratory problems. I can't find the article.

 

[MaryJanet]

https://www.revivalanimal.com/learning-center/how-to-use-oxine-ah

I recal reading that activated oxine is misted into the air in some commercial poultry concerns to combat respiratory problems. I can't find the article.

Thank you.

 

[Shadrach]

Found one of them.

https://shagbarkbantams.com/the-many-uses-of-oxine-ah-animal-health/

 

[MaryJanet]

Found one of them.

https://shagbarkbantams.com/the-many-uses-of-oxine-ah-animal-health/

Impressive! I had no idea about oxine until now.

 

[MaryJanet]

Does this look like the right cleaning product? https://tuckersstore.com.au/product/zychem-exstinkt-h2o-20g-10tab/