paralized chicken

[cherokeechicken]

i have lost 2 of my chicks... they were fine one day then the next morn'n they were paralized shortly after they died. could it be from a spider bit or perhaps a snake...please help!!!

 

[LuannKeller]

Could be Mareks. If you can keep them eating and drinking they may recover from Mareks - depends on how it goes - some develop servere neurological problems - some it is mostly the legs.

I have nursed some through it. I want the recovered birds around because I believe natural immunity can develop - many people say to get rid of them since they are carriers. I got some hens from someone else and 3 developed it, I managed to nurse one through to 100% good health and no one else has developed it in the last few months. In order to allow her to recover I had to feed and water her like an invalid but she did fully recover gradually over several weeks.