Oh no, I think it's Mareks

[fezlet]

Yes a vet will be able to cull for a very small fee, if not free. At least I know my main vet would even though he doesn't treat chickens.

Edit: Actually, yes. I would start calling around to see how much a vet would do it for. Let them know that this chick is your pet like any dog or cat would be and if they have any heart, then they will have sympathy. I was thinking about it, and I honestly would not be able to even use the jugular method on my babies, even though it's a peaceful way to go I just can't see myself doing it. But if it came down to it, and I couldn't find a vet, it would be my last resort. Again, we're here for you and my heart goes out to you.

 

[GardenState38]

I also would be calling around to find a vet. I found a vet that deals with poultry before I even got chicks, realizing that I could all too easily be in the position you are in.
I just don't think I have it in me to terminate the life of any creature I nurtured since day 1.

 

[AV Brahmas]

Quote:
Strange thing is these chicks were vaccinated against Marek's and supposedly had no exposure. I picked these chicks up myself, went to the home they were raised, and they were raised in hygenic conditions.

My husband is out until Thursday. I'm hoping maybe he could do this. Though he is not big into chicken raising, so I doubt I'll be able to rope him in. I know I should be able to do this myself, but would really like to outsource this task. Will vets do it? I don't want to spread this horrid disease anywhere it doesn't need to be.

Probably a vet could do it for you. Just explain the situation. If I were closer I would have you bring it here...Mareks not withstanding because we have had it here. I have seen chicks come from hatcheries with it. Everything here is vaccinated now.

(comic relief moment starts now)

Call the vet. If that doesn't work send me a plane ticket, book a room at the Ritz and make a dinner reservation at something nice out on Fishermans Warf. I'll be there quick as I can.

This too shall pass.

 

[Ksane]

There's so many other things it could be besides Mareks. Especially given the circumstances that they were vaccinated and not even around any other chickens. Sure, it can "potentially" be "spread in the wind by dust" but seriously-it would've had to been spread in that unlikely way, the chick would've had to have been standing under the dander speck, plus the vaccine fail, etc etc. I'm not seeing it. Something far more common is thiamine deficiency from eating medicated chick starter. The medication in the chick starter blocks thiamine, that's how it works to block coccidia from spreading. Now go look up "thiamine deficiency". Here's what MerckVetManual.com says about it:

Polyneuritis in birds represents the later stages of a thiamine deficiency, probably caused by buildup of the intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism. In the initial stages of deficiency, lethargy and head tremors may be noted. A marked decrease in appetite is also seen in birds fed a thiamine-deficient diet. Poultry are also susceptible to neuromuscular problems, resulting in impaired digestion, general weakness, star-gazing, and frequent convulsions.
Polyneuritis may be seen in mature birds ~3 wk after they are fed a thiamine-deficient diet. As the deficiency progresses to the legs, wings, and neck, birds may sit on flexed legs and draw back their heads in a star-gazing position. Retraction of the head is due to paralysis of the anterior neck muscles. Soon after this stage, chickens lose the ability to stand or sit upright and topple to the floor, where they may lie with heads still retracted. Thiamine deficiency may also lead to a decrease in body temperature and respiratory rate. Testicular degeneration may be noted, and the heart may show slight atrophy. Birds consuming a thiamine-deficient diet soon show severe anorexia. They lose all interest in feed and will not resume eating unless given thiamine. If a severe deficiency has developed, thiamine must be force-fed or injected to induce eating.

Look familiar?
There's literally hundreds of things it could be. I wouldn't assume it was Mareks in a vaccinated isolated chick just because Marek's happens to be the most well-known one.

 

[happima]

Went to the vet's thinking that the vet would probably say I needed to put her down. The vet said I could and that it was possible that it could be Marek's, but she wasn't ready to give her that death sentence She thought it could also be many other things and didn't know what to diagnose. She recommended that I take her to an aviary specialist. Also gave her a shot with hydration and Vitamin B. If I want to spend manu hundreds of dollars, I can do xrays, blood tests, etc. Not ready to go there. If she passes, vet wants me to bring her body in so they can send her off for tests so we can see what's wrong, just so we know for the rest of the flock.

Meanwhile, little Oz is as sweet as ever, eating and in decent spirits, considering.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[Ksane]

Plus 1 for the vet!

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I had a chick who couldn't walk, it almost looked like he had a slipped tendon or something. Anyway, I separated him and changed his feed. I was waiting for my husband to come back from Colorado so he could cull him. One day he just started walking again. He's been fine since.

 

[mother o' chicks72]

take her/him to the avian vet, they should know what to do.

 

[Ole rooster]

Why would you let the chicken suffer, which undoubedtly she is, and just let her die instead of doing the humane thing and remove it yourself. In thoe animal world the strong survive. In our world the government takes care of you. I don't see you have an option. Don't let the chicken suffer. You're concerned for yourself. Not to be hateful here but this is one of the obligations you accepted when you took on raising and caring for the chickens.

Good luck with it.

 

[mstricer]

How old is the chick? The easiest way I found to cull, if you chose this method is to get a good pair of shears and remove the head. Sounds horrible but it is quick and they don't suffer, should something go awry with the other methods that were suggested. Sorry about your chick