Pekin weak on legs

[cornish.couple]

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Peking bantam, 6 months, in very good condition but feels light.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Can't stand confidently. Stumbles backwards until rests against something.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
This is the second time in a month. Been unsure on feet for a few days.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
We lost a silkie about 3 months previously.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
We've checked both legs, feet, hips, all seem okay, maybe his click a bit. But no sores, swellings, mites etc...
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
No idea. We got her from the same place and shares the accomodation as the other three Peking who are all well.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Eating growers pellets and water without issue. Passing healthy stools. We've got her indoors at the moment on crumb , yoghurt and vitamins in her water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal poop. And regular.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
The first time we kept her in for a week, it's winter here and cool out generally 5 degrees centigrade, not too cold. She was isolated with fresh food, bedding and water daily. Water included vitamins. She has been treated with hackers for cocci.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
We'll treat at home and cull if necessary.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
Will attempt to add one to the thread.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
General coop with per he's she roosts on at night. Bedding cleaned regularly, twice a week more if necessary. They have free roam of the garden during the day.
Floor covering is wood shavings and straw in nesting boxes, which as she's not laying she doesn't use.
After the initial treatment she was strong enough to roost on the lower perch but now can't. She was found on the floor of the coop this morning.
Earlier whilst hand feeding her beak clicked when she closed her beak, but doesn't stop her eating.
Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My thoughts would be Mareks unfortunately. Especially if she isn't improving.

 

[cornish.couple]

My thoughts would be Mareks unfortunately. Especially if she isn't improving.

I think unfortunately that's the case. Will cull her after dinner. Hopefully the others won't come down with it. Thank you for your response.

 

[Eggcessive]

Mareks is possible, but if you have some time to observe and treat her with poultry vitamins for a few days to see if she improves, that would be good. Mareks symptoms can include paralysis of one or both legs or wings, twisted neck, weight loss, imbalance, walking on hocks, and sometimes, eye changes. Later, tumors may be seen, inside or externally. What signs did you silkie show?
Ear infection, head injury, or vitamin deficiency could be possibilities. Even coccidiosis can sometimes cause weakness, and problems walking.

 

[cornish.couple]

This is the second time she's been like this, it's worse this time. She's just backed into the corner of the box she's in. We've had her on vitamin water for two days, and she was eating well. She has been having chicks crumb and natural yoghurt.
We treated them all for cocci with harkers three weeks ago.
The first time she got her strength back, she could fly to the roost and climb the a frame to the high perch in the garden and fly down but within a week shed gone back to this state.

In regard to the silkie, we believe she wasn't in a great state when we got her. Lost strength in her legs, couldn't move unaided, wouldn't eat or drink. Similar to little mo.
Bunny, our Silkie had no external signs of illness. Looked perfectly healthy!

 

[cornish.couple]

 

[rebrascora]

Sadly I would agree that it is likely Marek's. I have had them recover, even from a second attack, but it was a long slow process the second time and took several months and of course. they will always be prone to further attacks, so culling her may be the best option. It sounds like the Silkie probably had Marek's too.... they are particularly vulnerable to it as a breed. Hopefully your other birds will be resistant.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is not always an option to send in a refrigerated body to the state vet or nearest poultry lab for a necropsy, but that is a good way to get a diagnosis. Sorry about your chicken, but it does sound like it may well be Mareks.

 

[cornish.couple]

It is not always an option to send in a refrigerated body to the state vet or nearest poultry lab for a necropsy, but that is a good way to get a diagnosis. Sorry about your chicken, but it does sound like it may well be Mareks.

Sorry for the late reply, unfortunately she deteriorated over that night so we took the only option left available to us.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry, you did the best thing.