Possibly Mareks

[the Pollo Loco]

Okay I had a chicken in my flock whose legs went limp last week, from what I read she may have come down with Mareks disease, so I had Isolated her because at the time I had no clue what was happening and didn't want her getting pecked at while she was immobilized. Today I discovered one of my roos also came down with the same symptoms, I removed him away as well, My question is, all the other chickens seem normal right now. But what measures must I take to avoid having the others come down with the disease? if they don't already have it?

 

[mysweetgypsy]

From what I understand Mareks is spread through dander, and is very quick/easy to spread, and impossible to get rid of. So if you think you have one, they are all exposed at this point. BUT I will say I thought we had Mareks also. After talking to the vet, I'm not so sure, neither is she. Chickens are so tough to thoroughly diagnose without a necropsy. (Mareks can only be confirmed through necropsy). The local avian vet is only in once a week so I'm saving a roo for her to necropsy. That's the only way we'll know for sure. Don't just think Mareks and leave it at that, go to the vet. Good luck!

 

[jerseygirl1]

From what I've read, Marek's is somewhat rare. I would look at other possibilities, I had some that had gotten botulism and the symptoms are close. I siolated them and fed vitamins and electrolytes - it took a few weeks, but they were OK. I'm not saying it's NOT Marek's - but I would look at what is available for them to get sick from other than Marek's, ie, moldy feed that may have fallen in a crack in the coop, new feed, etc.