Not an Emergency...Marek's in the Flock

[kimchick621]

Going to join in this conversation. I had another post about my 5 month old girl who started favoring one of her legs last week, it was Thursday or Friday. I took her to the vet yesterday, thinking maybe she had dislocated it or something. He said her legs were fine, but they both were weakened. Her wings, too. He suggested I put her down, and then send her off for testing. He was hesitant to diagnose her, but said it resembled Marek's. We culled her last night. We're leaving shortly to take her to the MD state vet who will do a free necropsy. So, I'll know for sure in a couple days. I guess. I have 8 other gals, none of which have shown symptoms. I have 5 three month old chicks who may have been vaccinated, but honestly, I'm not sure. This sucks.

 

[Haunted55]

Going to join in this conversation. I had another post about my 5 month old girl who started favoring one of her legs last week, it was Thursday or Friday. I took her to the vet yesterday, thinking maybe she had dislocated it or something. He said her legs were fine, but they both were weakened. Her wings, too. He suggested I put her down, and then send her off for testing. He was hesitant to diagnose her, but said it resembled Marek's. We culled her last night. We're leaving shortly to take her to the MD state vet who will do a free necropsy. So, I'll know for sure in a couple days. I guess. I have 8 other gals, none of which have shown symptoms. I have 5 three month old chicks who may have been vaccinated, but honestly, I'm not sure. This sucks.

Glad you found this thread. I just finished replying to your thread about your hen.

I'm glad you chose the necropsy. I know how you feel, as do the rest who have been where you are right now. You're right...it does suck, but you've taken a positive step by going for the necropsy. Right now other than giving them all a good vitamin/electrolite mix and even a good probiotic, it's just waiting and watching. I truly am sorry you're going through this. Please keep us up to date and never hesitate to ask questions.

 

[seminolewind]

After reading the posts in this thread, I am more confused than ever.
I have access to an avian vet once a month, but is not a specialist in chickens by any means.
He said that in all honesty ALL flocks have probably been exposed to Mareks and it depends on whether you have an OUTBREAK of the disease. He said the only way to control it is to vaccinate day old chicks, never bring adult birds into an existing flock (for any other issues not just Mareks), and culling or treating symptoms is up to preference. Is he nuts?
He also recommended as a preventative to any issues is sanitizing/disinfecting cages, coops, etc. as often as possible with a product like Ken'L-Lan-128. I have been using this in my dog kennel as well because Parvo has been bad around here because of raccoon overpopulation.

He is absolutely right. Smart vet. Vaccinate all day old chicks and quarantine them for at least 2 weeks, longer is better. There is not much you can do about the rest-Mareks' will be on your property for years. And keeping things clean will cut down on the amount of exposure for everyone. You don't have to have an outbreak. If Marek's is there, all your chickens have it and carry it wther they have symptoms or not.Culling will not change anything. Just vaccinate your chicks and you should have it under control

 

[seminolewind]

Quote: I've lost some chicks (5 weeks - 4 months) to a bad coccidiosis . I saved the rest with a bigger dose of Corid, like 2-3 tsp of Corid a day, and mixed that into a wet mash as well. However, I treated everyone for weeks because the ones that died had no symptoms prior to 12-24 hours. I think it attacks a part of the intestine that only shows symptoms a few hours before death, and they have internal bleeding from hemorrhaging.. When I picked the dead ones up, the blood ran out.

So I would dose a tsp per gallon as a preventative, or like Haunted said , use some sulfadimethoxine (albion). Double the dose the first day. From now on I will vaccinate for Marek's and Coccidiosis.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
My chicks from my flock moms were fine. Mother's resistance passed on. The ones that are from outside your flock are the ones that get it and die early, or get paralysis and look happy at the same time. They also eat but waste away anyway. Try vitamins, it can't hurt.

 

[seminolewind]

I have that chicken electrolyte packet they sell at tractor supply...is that what you are talking about? I think I have the probiotic one, too...

Her eyes have not changed color. the only symptom really is the foot/feet. sometimes she uses the one okay although in that picture she looks like both are curled.

Yes it's the vits and e-lytes packet.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote: X2 !

 

[salt and pepper]

All birds are doing well, Even my little dwarf chick =) I think they are happier, now that the mites are gone!!

 

[Haunted55]

I've lost some chicks (5 weeks - 4 months) to a bad coccidiosis . I saved the rest with a bigger dose of Corid, like 2-3 tsp of Corid a day, and mixed that into a wet mash as well. However, I treated everyone for weeks because the ones that died had no symptoms prior to 12-24 hours. I think it attacks a part of the intestine that only shows symptoms a few hours before death, and they have internal bleeding from hemorrhaging.. When I picked the dead ones up, the blood ran out.

So I would dose a tsp per gallon as a preventative, or like Haunted said , use some sulfadimethoxine (albion). Double the dose the first day. From now on I will vaccinate for Marek's and Coccidiosis.

Seminolewind, be careful of the vaccine for the coccidiosis. some of the stuff i've read made me want to get into this but then, upon reading further, I found that this too can be a problem, Yes, you do have the sulphers left to you if something gets out of hand, but they are hard on the system and have their own issues. If you know the basic form of the coccidia where you are, there is no chance of it changing, then yes, vaccination would be a Godsend to the nines. I can't. My land sits 700 and something feet above sea level. the top of the hill I am on is 800 and something feet and is leased by a farmer who is always bringing in something to use on the fields at the top of this hill. One year it will be from a DeCosta egg farm, complete with carcasses of birds, the next time it could be from a human waste treatment plant, never know what is coming my way. No way I would dare have them vaccinated as it's not a constant here.

 

[Haunted55]

All birds are doing well, Even my little dwarf chick =) I think they are happier, now that the mites are gone!!

Know what this makes me think of???? "Poison ivey-ayaaay, poison ivey-ayaayay." Lol! sorry...couldn't resist. yeah I can imagine they would feel a lot better! I have something going on here that I just cannot figure out. Birds look like they have mites, but have treated and checked and they still look like Dr. Suess critters.