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

[CeeJ]

I haven't gotten any from the new ones yet, as in their first eggs, but my girls last year gave me true blue, pink, ivory and almost a robin's egg blue color. Really, it's not a myth. These eggs are from girls who are over 2 years old now and just coming out of molt so the color isn't as good as it gets. The others are from some of my other girls and obviously not blue or even Ameraucana. The darker brown are from an Australorp and the lighter are from my Dark Cornish girls.

You got blue layers from McMurray? Go figure, lol. I was looking at ghe dark cornish but was thinking they'd be very flighty and not keep on being locked up part of everyday. Once the leaves fall, the hawks here come out en masse, so I only let them free range when I am out with my blanks loaded and ready. Well, sadly tomorrow I will make the 2.5 hours drive with my little 9 week old maran girl who's started paralysis to the Dept of Ag lab to have her blood drawn. Then they will put her diwn and do the necropsy. Though the paralysis has not worsened, it hasn't improved. She eats, but seems to be losing weight rapidly. She drinks, but is dehydrated. I've had her on Tylan, Super B and Cored. The poor girl is a mess. I guess that what you all are calling wasting? It breaks my heart, but no sense in her suffering any longer. And she will help us determine just what is going on in our flock. I hate to do this. So. Very. Much. If she makes it until morning, and there is no improvement, It will be an awful day for me. But, when the report comes in, maybe we will get some answers. Wish me luck on finding the answer.

 

[schnebbles]

I'm so sorry. It's awful losing a bird.

 

[barnyardmommy]

I know just how you feel at this moment..... (would really not like to be able to say that ) But SH*#@ happens

 

[seminolewind]

this came from Seminolewind's mareks page in her sig -

"Transmission Marek’s is highly contagious and spreads by bird-to-bird contact, by contact with infected dust and dander, and by darkling beetles and mealworms that live in the chicken house, although the virus has no affect on the beetles or mealworms."

does this mean I could have given my chickens mareks by feeding mealworms? I got a starter kit of worms/beetles online and raise my own now.

Oh Gawd no. I would think that darkling beetles or mealworms would have to carry Marek's from and infected bird to a non infected bird. I don't even know why they mention it, it's kind of a long shot.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
CeeJ , you're doing a really good thing there, getting the testing done. Yes, it's wasting when you swear they're eating, and they are either picking or look at the ground like they forgot how to do it. I should send mine too. She's vaccinated. I wonder if it makes a difference?

 

[Haunted55]

You got blue layers from McMurray? Go figure, lol. I was looking at ghe dark cornish but was thinking they'd be very flighty and not keep on being locked up part of everyday. Once the leaves fall, the hawks here come out en masse, so I only let them free range when I am out with my blanks loaded and ready.

Well, sadly tomorrow I will make the 2.5 hours drive with my little 9 week old maran girl who's started paralysis to the Dept of Ag lab to have her blood drawn. Then they will put her diwn and do the necropsy. Though the paralysis has not worsened, it hasn't improved. She eats, but seems to be losing weight rapidly. She drinks, but is dehydrated. I've had her on Tylan, Super B and Cored. The poor girl is a mess. I guess that what you all are calling wasting? It breaks my heart, but no sense in her suffering any longer. And she will help us determine just what is going on in our flock. I hate to do this. So. Very. Much. If she makes it until morning, and there is no improvement, It will be an awful day for me. But, when the report comes in, maybe we will get some answers. Wish me luck on finding the answer.

Yes I did, and I am so sorry you are facing this trial. Been there and done that and my heart really aches for you at this time. I can tell you, you are doing the right thing. Even though the pain is awful, the answers are important. They will help you chart the course for the rest of the time with your flock. Know that I and everyone else that has faced this, will be with you tomorrow and you should draw on us to get through. That's what we are all about in the end. So many times we are at the point you are facing now and we go on. It's all we have left, but in the end, I think we are the better for it. It may not seem that way to you right now, but with time, you will see what I mean. Yes, you are losing one, it hurts, it hurts like hell! Still you are learning and will have something to share with the rest of us. Collectively, we may see something that will be an answer to help someone else or even our own. Keep this in mind, please, the research being done on this disease is driven by money from the hatcheries and producers. We as backyard keepers are not really much in the whole scheme of things, to be honest. Everything in the research is being driven by the almighty dollar. Can you or I find a cure? Doubtful, but we may find something to help our poor, set upon birds gain longer and more productive lives. And truly, is there anything more we can hope for? There is an answer out there, trust me. Someone, somewhere, is going to find it and this will not happen any more. I am with you and praying that you will find peace with what must happen.

 

[CeeJ]

Thanks so much all of you for your help, understanding and support!! It does make this sucko situation a bit less disheartening.

 

[Haunted55]

Thanks so much all of you for your help, understanding and support!! It does make this sucko situation a bit less disheartening.

I truly hope so CeeJ. What you are going through is about as bad as it gets. But, I do want you to know, you aren't alone, you will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow, for whatever that is worth.

 

[CeeJ]

I will

CeeJ , you're doing a really good thing there, getting the testing done.  Yes, it's wasting when you swear they're eating, and they are either picking or look at the ground like they forgot how to do it.  I should send mine too.  She's vaccinated.  I wonder if it makes a difference?

i will ask this vet's opinion if being vaccinated would make a difference tomorrow.

 

[schnebbles]

thanks Seminole, I couldn't imagine that beetles/mealworms would carry it. I'm finding out more than I'd like to about chicken illness tho

I want to cry when I see my silkie limping. Her foot is just no grasp or anything, her leg seems to have some strength but nothing at all in the foot, it's so limp.