My young hen tucked her head in her wing, walked in circles, and is going blind. Is it Marek?

[ArianDolympia]

Greetings, everyone.

Three weeks ago, my 27-week-old Ameraucana hen, who was experiencing significant bullying, began to exhibit unusual behavior: she started tucking her head under her left wing and isolating herself on the roost for extended periods. When she did leave the roost, she moved in circles. The temperature that week was in the low 20s. I moved her to a cage in the garage to provide a more controlled environment. I provided a suitable perch for nighttime roosting, cleaned her cage daily, and observed that her droppings appeared normal. She seems to be having difficulty dismounting her perch, so I have been assisting her. While she continues to eat and drink, I noticed this morning that she seemed lighter than the previous week. During a ten-minute observation period this morning, she appeared to have some difficulty locating her food and water, requiring several attempts to find them. Afterwards, she returned to her position with her head tucked under her wing. I am considering the possibility of Marek's disease, but remain hopeful for her recovery. Thank you for your time and consideration; I appreciate any assistance or advice you can offer.

 

[Yardmom]

You mentioned that she was being bullied. Could she have a head injury from the bullying?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Greetings, everyone.

Three weeks ago, my 27-week-old Ameraucana hen, who was experiencing significant bullying, began to exhibit unusual behavior: she started tucking her head under her left wing and isolating herself on the roost for extended periods. When she did leave the roost, she moved in circles. The temperature that week was in the low 20s. I moved her to a cage in the garage to provide a more controlled environment. I provided a suitable perch for nighttime roosting, cleaned her cage daily, and observed that her droppings appeared normal. She seems to be having difficulty dismounting her perch, so I have been assisting her. While she continues to eat and drink, I noticed this morning that she seemed lighter than the previous week. During a ten-minute observation period this morning, she appeared to have some difficulty locating her food and water, requiring several attempts to find them. Afterwards, she returned to her position with her head tucked under her wing. I am considering the possibility of Marek's disease, but remain hopeful for her recovery. Thank you for your time and consideration; I appreciate any assistance or advice you can offer.

Is there a way to get video of her actions?

Upload video to YouTube and provide a link.

Photos of her and her poop may be helpful.

What do you feed, including treats?

Some of the symptoms you describe sound neurological, this can be due to many things. I'd start her on vitamin therapy to see if this helps. Give 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4tablet B-complex daily along with a little egg to help with the uptake of E.

See that she's eating a nutritionally balanced poultry feed.

Does she have adequate lighting in garage?

 

[nuthatched]

What's her diet? Are the others keeping her from eating?

 

[chickengr]

I have the same situation with a muscovy duck. as soon as I put her with indian runner ducks who don't bully her she started to recover. 2 weeks later she started to get out of the coop, eat and drink without fear even play with some ducks. hope your hen recovers.

 

[ArianDolympia]

No, I checked her head. She didn't have any scratches or wounds. She started closing her eyes and tucking her head three weeks ago. When I brought her inside, every once in a while, she sang the egg song really loud, making me think she was about ready to lay an egg, but no, she went back to closing her eyes and tucking her head again.

 

[ArianDolympia]

 

[ArianDolympia]

Here are some pictures of the food, how she looks most of the time, and her droppings, although they didn't look very clear. I cleaned the cage every morning, and her droppings were solid, round, and a normal grayish color with white on top. I gave my flock scratch in the afternoon, but since I brought her inside, I have given her mealworms sometimes. There are lights in the garage, and I kept the door open so there is adequate light.

 

[ArianDolympia]

I'm going to give her Vit E and B-complex with egg in a little bit.

 

[ArianDolympia]