@Hamiam, sorry that you are having problems and I understand your concern. My 9 week old pullet that developed paralysis started with a limp that quickly progressed, worsening daily until she was dragging the leg behind her, using it for balance and walking on the tops of her toes. When she slept the leg was either stretched out behind her or in front of her. By day 4 she wasn't eating, was huddled in a corner and the older hens were picking at her and attacking her. That is when I made the heartbreaking decision to put her down.
I would be concerned about the limp without sign of injury. We have had temps in the 90s this month but my birds just find a cool place, ususally in the coop, and zone out till the heat of the day passes. Giving her electrolytes is good, providing plenty of cool water also good. I'd put her on the 'observe' list for now and see what happens next. If she worsens and you should find her dead I would get a necropsy done to diagnose the cause of death.
Unfortunately with Marek's once you notice symptoms or have one die without obvious cause, it is too late and the rest of your flock has been exposed. I've also learned that once they start that downhill slide, as th old saying goes, you may as well get your hand off of their right wing because God has his on the left and always wins in the end.
Were your birds vaccinated?
@chickengr. Chickens with Marek's can recover from the initial onset of the virus. The virus remains in their systems dorman until stress, parasite load or illness causes it to resurface and cause internal tumors or the paralysis returns with a vengence.
You said your hen passed round worms. Did you worm the whole flock at thate sp point?
Chicken carrying the Marek's virus are more suseptible to infections and parasites. Since your rooster has developed grey eye I would consider the whole flock to be at the least exposed to the virus which means it is in their systems and waiting for a chance to rise out of dormancy.
I have increased my worming schedule from twice a year to bi-monthly, rotating wormers to lessen the chance of resistance building up. Example: I last wormed with Corid for coccidia two monts ago. This month I will worm with Valbazen as the last worming for general was done with Ivermectin. I wormed with Wazine in the spring for roundworms as a preventative more than a treatment and I will do afollow up worming in the fall.
You have to remember that Marek's disease suppresses a chickens immune system making them more vulnerable to infections and infestations.
I've found that I have to be particularly observent for signs of illness in my birds. If I hear a hen sneeze and she sneezed again two days later the whole flock gets dosed with Terramycin.
I find that I'm always on the patrol for brush fires in my flock that can turn into forrest fires with little warning.
So my best advice is to worm your entire flock for roundworms if you haven't already and follow up with a broad spectrum wormer for general infestation followed by treatment for coccidia.
Welcome to the world of the chicken owner dealing with Marek's.
