Probable Marek's Disease

[Jesusgirl04]

I have a pullet who fits the symptoms of Merek's. I have quarantined her in my kitchen in a crate. She is eating, drinking and pooping but she spends most of the time sitting, often with her legs askew and won't walk. She has no apparent visible injuries and her feathers look good. I've been adding vitamins to the water. My question is, after reading the extensive article posted on here about this disease, it's apparent the virus has already been shed where ever she was. If she starts to move around and walk, can be be put back in the coop with the others, or will I have to keep her separate permanently? I really don't want to cull her if I don't have to. Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a pullet who fits the symptoms of Merek's. I have quarantined her in my kitchen in a crate. She is eating, drinking and pooping but she spends most of the time sitting, often with her legs askew and won't walk. She has no apparent visible injuries and her feathers look good. I've been adding vitamins to the water. My question is, after reading the extensive article posted on here about this disease, it's apparent the virus has already been shed where ever she was. If she starts to move around and walk, can be be put back in the coop with the others, or will I have to keep her separate permanently? I really don't want to cull her if I don't have to. Thanks!

Welcome To BYC

How old is your pullet?
What do you feed and what vitamins are you giving her?

It would be up to you, but yes most folks that have Marek's in their flock to put the bird back.
Here's some reading for you.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[Jesusgirl04]

She's just around 4 months. I am still giving her the starter feed and I've been adding a powered vitamin mix to the water that I got at Tractor Supply.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Welcome To BYC

How old is your pullet?
What do you feed and what vitamins are you giving her?

It would be up to you, but yes most folks that have Marek's in their flock to put the bird back.
Here's some reading for you.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

Welcome to backyard chickens where you can ask any question and someone will get back to you or tag someone they think would be able to help you. They give moral support as well. Enjoy the community!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She's just around 4 months. I am still giving her the starter feed and I've been adding a powered vitamin mix to the water that I got at Tractor Supply.

If you have photos or video of her you wish to share that would be good too.
(For video, upload to youtube and provide a link)

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a lab where some have been getting testing done on blood serum from a live chicken at $20 for Mareks:
http://www.vetdna.com/
If you should lose her, most state vets will do a necropsy and test for Mareks. The body needs to be kept cold, not frozen. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
Sorry about your lame chicken. I hope she gets better.

 

[Jesusgirl04]

Treated our girl for mites... this may have been the culprit all along

 

[Eggcessive]

What did you treat her mites with? Keep her warm and blow her dry if she is wet.

 

[hispoptart]

Is that pic of her in the crate before or after you treated her? As @Eggcessive said if that pic is after then you should get her blow dried.

 

[Jesusgirl04]

We used Elector PSP Premise spray. And it was right after. We dried her and she’s warm and toasty