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

[seminolewind]

Looks like I will be struck by mareks this year. Ironically, with a chick I bought, not one I bred. Woke up today with my bantam Cochin Panting and fluffed up in the corner of the pen. Picked him up, no struggle, and felt him. Looks like he hasn't eaten from the last few feedings, because his crop was completely empty. I put him down, and he started walking, but seemed very dazed and lethargic. He's now hiding under a tree in the woods.

Did you think of maybe treating him for cocci? enteritis? worms?

 

[saltandpepper2]

Did you think of maybe treating him for cocci? enteritis? worms?

Definitely not worms and Cocci, they're treated for both.... not sure what the other is.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote: Enteritis is one of those things like coccidiosis except it's higher up in the small intestine and can be caused by cocci, e.coli, clostridium, and any damage. That's why I've been treating with amoxicillin and sulfadimethoxine for 7 days for those who are not real thrifty, or look bad like standing separate with eyes closed. They can also carry enteritis sub clinically where there are no obvious symptoms except wasting or just not having robust behavior. I have also treated with Tylan and sulfaDIMETHoxine. My last one wasted to the point where she could not walk and was laying flat on the ground.

 

[ochochicas]

My poor cockerel didn't make it. He is the first of my vaccinated chicks to die, but I'm not sure it was Marek's or not. He had diarrhea and as not eating well, very lethargic. I had him on Tylan and was supplementing his fluid intake with tube feedings. He was thin but not "wasting". No signs of respiratory problems or leg/wing paralysis. Maybe being dehydrated combined with temps near 100 did him in. He was 16 weeks old, so the age would be right for Marek's. If any of his sisters die I will be sending more birds in for necropsy.

 

[saltandpepper2]

My poor cockerel didn't make it.  He is the first of my vaccinated chicks to die, but I'm not sure it was Marek's or not.  He had diarrhea and as not eating well, very lethargic.  I had him on Tylan and was supplementing his fluid intake with tube feedings.  He was thin but not "wasting".  No signs of respiratory problems or leg/wing paralysis.  Maybe being dehydrated combined with temps near 100 did him in.   He was 16 weeks old, so the age would be right for Marek's.  If any of his sisters die I will be sending more birds in for necropsy.  

I'm so sorry! My Cochin is hanging in... He's just kind of "there" eats a bit, walks a bit, sleeps a lot. My silkie is keeping him company since she can't really keep up with the rest of the flock anyways

 

[lalaland]

ochochicas, that's sad news.
Hang in there! hoping it was the heat...and his sister does fine.

 

[seminolewind]

My poor cockerel didn't make it. He is the first of my vaccinated chicks to die, but I'm not sure it was Marek's or not. He had diarrhea and as not eating well, very lethargic. I had him on Tylan and was supplementing his fluid intake with tube feedings. He was thin but not "wasting". No signs of respiratory problems or leg/wing paralysis. Maybe being dehydrated combined with temps near 100 did him in. He was 16 weeks old, so the age would be right for Marek's. If any of his sisters die I will be sending more birds in for necropsy.

Quote:
This is why I still treat for cocci or infection or enteritis. It's worth a shot to me rather than just let them go and assume it was Marek's. I did that up until a year ago. Even with cocci, it's usually a chick ailment but with immune suppression from Marek's, it can happen at any time in their life.

 

[ochochicas]

This is why I still treat for cocci or infection or enteritis. It's worth a shot to me rather than just let them go and assume it was Marek's. I did that up until a year ago. Even with cocci, it's usually a chick ailment but with immune suppression from Marek's, it can happen at any time in their life.

He was treated for Coccidia, worms, and was on Tylan for anything bacterial. I have a feeling he'd been sub-clinically sick for a long time. He stopped acting like a feisty cockerel towards the end of June. I'm keeping a close eye on the rest of his flock.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:

This is why I still treat for cocci or infection or enteritis. It's worth a shot to me rather than just let them go and assume it was Marek's. I did that up until a year ago. Even with cocci, it's usually a chick ailment but with immune suppression from Marek's, it can happen at any time in their life.

He was treated for Coccidia, worms, and was on Tylan for anything bacterial. I have a feeling he'd been sub-clinically sick for a long time. He stopped acting like a feisty cockerel towards the end of June. I'm keeping a close eye on the rest of his flock.

I think some of mine were too. Thin, acting normal , not really laying. I do have a rooster right now who is not roosting, he's sleeping on top of a little dog house in the pen for laying eggs. He's very thin.

Today, my Princess Fluffy Britches ( 7 yr old Polish) was being pecked on by 2 other hens and she's been hiding in the little dog house with the nest, and one of them actually goes in there to peck her. Her face was white. There was not even pink. I finally found a safe place for her with a gimpy Poliish and a Faverolle who was being bullied as well. So she seems to still be shocked that no one is attacking her. She drank a bunch. Chickens are so mean to eachother. don't they realize that they are upsetting me?

 

[ochochicas]

. Chickens are so mean to eachother. don't they realize that they are upsetting me?

I know, right!?!?!

When I had my first Marek's bird I would put her in the horse pasture to eat grass by herself. One of the dominant hens would see her and run down to start pecking at her. The poor pullet couldn't get away quickly on just one leg. I 'd hear her screaming and have to go save her. Mean chickens!