PLEASE HELP! young hen limping!

[RoxyBird]

They can get injured just like people Maybe someone shoved her off the roost unexpectedly?

 

[RoxyBird]

Well, I can't really do either of those choices. my neighbor has chickens, and half his flock died of mareks. even if I start a new flock, they will just get it from his birds.

Or only bring in birds that are already vaccinated? When you order chicks from a hatchery you can specify that they be vaccinated. It's not usually very expensive (lots of saved $$ down the road in terms of health/egg production, for sure).

 

[salt and pepper]

Or only bring in birds that are already vaccinated? When you order chicks from a hatchery you can specify that they be vaccinated. It's not usually very expensive (lots of saved $$ down the road in terms of health/egg production, for sure).

I don't order from hatcheries. Thanks for the thought though. my flock is immune to mareks, so if I expand my flock, I will just get the strongest chicks I can find =)

They can get injured just like people Maybe someone shoved her off the roost unexpectedly?

I think that's what happened. She is a flighty bird, and often flies off the roof of the coop, or anything for that matter!

 

[beevolleyball3]

Thank you for the link. I did have a hen die of mareks, and only one leg was paralyzed, but she seems to still have control of the leg, I'll take that as a good sign. now, if it is mareks, will the rest of my flock die of it? also, is it ok that i am leaving her with the rest of the flock?

If she does have Mareks seperate her from the others she can give it to the whole flock!

 

[salt and pepper]

I know that you should separate them, but my other birds have already been introduced to mareks, so they are immune to it. she still has use in that leg today. I really think she just injured it, she can walk around,and get around.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

2 things
1. your flock is not immune to Marek's, they are carriers and have a resistance to it. All new birds you bring into your flock will be exposed and either die from it or carry it for life.

2. Take a thumb tack or needle and gently do a "prick" test on the bottom of the foot that is not working. If she reacts, she is not paralyzed and has an injury. If she does not react, then it is likely paralyzed and you are dealing with Marek's symptoms.

Sorry, but these are the facts

 

[casportpony]

Hi, I have a hen that quite suddenly started limping. She was fine this morning, and now one of her legs is limp. she is still alert, I haven't separated her from the rest of the flock because she freaks out when she is, and I didn't want to stress her more. Also, her eyes are a bright blue. Do you think it's mareks? I had a hen die of it earlier last year. I hope it's not! I examined her leg, and can't find anything wrong with it. Please help!

Limping and ocular changes? Sounds like Merek's to me.


Left - normal chicken eye. Right - Eye of a chicken with Marek's disease
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek's_disease

 

[salt and pepper]

I know they are carriers, but they won't get it. I'm fine with them carrying it. also, she is feeling with that foot, so it's not paralyzed! =) thank you for the pic. her eyes have always been blue, and I'm thinking that's just her trait. they do have some green and brown in them as well, so there not just blue. thanks for all the advice!

 

[casportpony]

I know they are carriers, but they won't get it. I'm fine with them carrying it. also, she is feeling with that foot, so it's not paralyzed! =) thank you for the pic. her eyes have always been blue, and I'm thinking that's just her trait. they do have some green and brown in them as well, so there not just blue. thanks for all the advice!

That does not mean that she doesn't have Marek's. I have had several with limps that were never paralyzed, but died from Marek's. If her eyes have been that color from the time she hatched, I don't know what to say.

 

[casportpony]

FWIW, I also have some with the same sort of eyes as you describe and I am 99% sure they have Merek's.