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

[salt and pepper]

After reading this last couple of pages... Do my birds have mareks in them? In the last year I've lost two birds, one was eight weeks, and became lame with her toes curled in, could barely use one leg, but the other was immobile. Was lethargic, and didn't eat of drink much, the last day before she died, her poop was really green. The next bird was 20 weeks, and went lame, even though she still tried to get around, the other birds bullied her, by three days she could barely move, and thinking it was what the other bird had, I culled her. Her eyes were blue, but had been that color since she was a chick. Could it have been something else? If it helps, they were of the same breed, and half sisters. I also lost another one at a week old, but she was just a runt that didn't survive.

 

[seminolewind]

After reading this last couple of pages... Do my birds have mareks in them? In the last year I've lost two birds, one was eight weeks, and became lame with her toes curled in, could barely use one leg, but the other was immobile. Was lethargic, and didn't eat of drink much, the last day before she died, her poop was really green. The next bird was 20 weeks, and went lame, even though she still tried to get around, the other birds bullied her, by three days she could barely move, and thinking it was what the other bird had, I culled her. Her eyes were blue, but had been that color since she was a chick. Could it have been something else? If it helps, they were of the same breed, and half sisters. I also lost another one at a week old, but she was just a runt that didn't survive.

My first thought would be yes. It sounds like what I went thru a few years ago. First one full blown all the symptoms at a year old. Then I had a wasting demise every few months, not knowing why, thinking they're bullied. Then I lost 8 chicks 6-12 weeks old, one by one they got paralysis and wasting.

I know which bird brought it in. She was the only non hatchery , non hatching egg , hen.

The bright green poo is usually the end of the road. No fat reserves left. They nap a lot.

I've seen lots of different symptoms in lots of different ages. You may want to think about mailing some blood to Texas A&M for testing. Other than that, it's the bunch of us that have lived with it, read everything known to man about Marek's, and seen all the different symptoms, -I call it an educated guess. The best darn guess there is!

 

[seminolewind]

good to know...I will get her started on that asap.
I just wanted to do SOMETHING and one of the alternatives on your list was MS and I had the Denagard...so...

You might also want to check the state map of activity of EEE, which mimics Marek's. (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) , and they actually use sentinel chickens.

 

[salt and pepper]

My first thought would be yes. It sounds like what I went thru a few years ago. First one full blown all the symptoms at a year old. Then I had a wasting demise every few months, not knowing why, thinking they're bullied. Then I lost 8 chicks 6-12 weeks old, one by one they got paralysis and wasting.

I know which bird brought it in. She was the only non hatchery , non hatching egg , hen.

The bright green poo is usually the end of the road. No fat reserves left. They nap a lot.

I've seen lots of different symptoms in lots of different ages. You may want to think about mailing some blood to Texas A&M for testing. Other than that, it's the bunch of us that have lived with it, read everything known to man about Marek's, and seen all the different symptoms, -I call it an educated guess. The best darn guess there is!

Thank you, I was just wondering since I haven't lost one birds from any of my batches this year... Oh well, lol

 

[Haunted55]

Update; And not a good looking one either....Birds vaccinated with just MD-Vac have finished a course of Corid, 7 day, and some are still hunching and looking like they have not gotten over it. Most of this group are showing normal looking droppings, no blood, but some are still looking like coccidiosis, pale comb and the hunching already mentioned. Not good, too much like last year. The second group vaccinated with all three types of Marek's vaccine are a little better but most have pale combs. First group is 4 days out from end of Corid, and second is 3 days. I am going to give them another day or two to see if the vitamins will perk them up. If not, I will be giving a course of Di-Methox, as it looks as if the strain or strains here are resistant to the amprolium.

Last year, this is the same thing that happened here. The first group is 7 weeks and the second is six weeks. Of this second group, I also had 16 silkies, separate brooder, come. Most are doing great, they were also treated with the Corid, but one is under sized. Like almost half the size of the others. These were also vaccinated, 3 types, for Marek's but it is becoming obvious to me that the strain here wasn't killed by the Winter cold and is still holding sway. They may not have the symptoms but it is a given they all have Marek's. I am so lost right now, but no where to go but forward. These birds are still inside my home. Yesterday I found 2 birds dead, from coccidiosis I assume, in the first group. These would be 2 and 3 as one was already lost to the cocci.

You know the worst thing that has happened...I lost a duckling today. I know this sounds awful, but I love my ducks. It was a Pekin K Campbell cross and was the sweetest little thing you've ever seen. This darned near broke my heart....anyways, onwards.

 

[Haunted55]

Thank you, I was just wondering since I haven't lost one birds from any of my batches this year... Oh well, lol

If your batches were your own hatch, you probably wouldn't. If they were purchased, the Winter may have been cold enough to clean out the virus in the ground and your older birds may be happy and healthy enough not to be shedding. Don't complain!!! Lol!

 

[salt and pepper]

If your batches were your own hatch, you probably wouldn't. If they were purchased, the Winter may have been cold enough to clean out the virus in the ground and your older birds may be happy and healthy enough not to be shedding. Don't complain!!! Lol!

I'm not complaining!!! lol

 

[Haunted55]

Update:

Marek's is still alive and seemingly doing well here. I have 2 meat birds with paralysis and one death yesterday. Didn't bother with vaccination for them, didn't think their lifespan warranted it. May have to rethink that for later batches. Will find some answers to that. In the new chicks from this year, no deaths from Marek's that I can see. Cocci and now I am going through a cannibalism problem.....the fun never stops. Nothing that screams Marek's though. After a dosing of Corid, 7 days and then Di-Methox, 3 days, the coccidiosis seems to be under control. Feed has been changed to a 15% with an occasional addition of an 18% to make sure they are getting the correct protien levels in their diets. Twice weekly vitamins added to their water as well. These birds should be going into their new home very soon. Building has already started and will put up the shell and roof and get them into it. I'll finish the inside with them there. Not ideal, but neither is having them in my house. They are past the 8 week mark and need to face the outdoors. Their run will be on ground where my other birds have not been so between new construction, fresh ground and vaccination, I may have a chance.

 

[seminolewind]

Hi. Still battling the ghost? A few months ago, I lost 2 chicks to cocci. It happened so fast. The rest are good. 2 living next door and 7 living at the barn-finally started having their freedom!

 

[hogster160]

Hi, I'm new to chickens and have 15. 9 22 weeks old most are laying, 3 at POL, and 5 18 weeks Old 4 laying 1 POL. They are being fed ff (nutrena grower/layer mix) x2/day with all day free range.

2 of my big girls have me concerned. My ee, POL pullet, I found her 4 days ago just sitting in her bedding on the coop floor. She wouldn't walk. I picked her up and moved her and she sat right down. Came inside to set up a crate to separate her from the others, and when I went back out to get her she had jumped out of the coop, but still wouldn't walk. Weakness is in the left leg, uses her wing to help balance. I've started her on polyvolsol baby vit no iron, vit b complex and calcium w/ d. She wasn't to interested in food for the first 2 days, but is now picking at the ff, crumbles, kale, oatmeal dry, grass, weeds and bugs. But she still doesn't walk. She scoots around but is mostly in her same area I put her in. Otherwise, she seams fine. She is 5 lbs eyes clear, poop solid and brown, no discharge from mouth, nostrils, eyes or vent. No mites/lice.

Edited to add, she will stand up for while at a time, right foot is normal left has curled toes. When she tries to walk, her right foot crosses over her left and she cant move. Started the vitamins Tuesday afternoon, and by yesterday she was eating and drinking mostly by herself the foods listed above. She takes only a step one two but no real walking.

In my research I found of course mericks. I've been checking my flock daily for lumps, eye changes, and paying close attention to the poop. I have 5 BA's so I may have checked one 2x and missed one, but today I see that one of them has funny eyes. It's not the best picture I will try to get some better ones after my Dh gets home from work. Hmm can't add pic on desktop version will have to change to mobile.

Any advise is very much welcome.

Thank you,

deb