Rooster balance problems - how big is the chance of Marek's?

[Eggcessive]

@ChickNanny13 is right. Hens who are laying eggs should get anout 4% calcium which most layer feeds contain, and roosters, chicks, and nonlayers should only get 1% calcium. Feeder more than that can increase the likelihood of gout or kidney issues.

 

[5GodsDown]

I indeed don't think we need more calcium. The chicks are laying good eggs so Phil should have enough too. I used a little layer feed when the chickens began to lay and were laying soft eggs in september, but now the food is mainly a mix of complete feed without layer pellets.

That's why I'm afraid there's not much more I can do. He had a complete feed, received vitamin supplements as soon as possible and I fed him some extra stuff like hard boiled eggs, yoghurt, oyster shells, high protein chick feed, mealworms... I just don't know if there's anything else I can try. I'll massage his toes a few times per day. If I decide to put an end to it, it will only be next weekend so I can mentally prepare for it. He doesn't seem to really be suffering, so who knows what he'll do in a week...

 

[Eggcessive]

He doesn ‘t need the oyster shell, but he can have some granite grit to pick at if he wants it. Neither oyster shell or grit should be fed to them. They take what they need. It is hard to say if you will see improvement, but I certainly hope so.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[AstraChick]

my understanding of Mereks is all hatchery birds are vaccinated for mereks which gives them the disease and stops any symptoms showing untill they get old.
Over time they end up with tumors all through-out their body and over time things slowly start to shut down. The worst part is seeing them paralyzed which starts out with limping. The disease is shed through the dander and feathers and birds do eat both which is how they catch this horrible disease.
If a new un-vaccinated bird is put with a flock that is vaccinated, that new birds immune system is put at risk and will get the disease and start showing all the signs at around point of lay/crowing then will stop laying/crowing and will probably die soon after, so sorry to say this but i may be wrong but that is what i have read about this horrible disease.
My advise is DONT mix un-vaccinated birds with vaccinated birds.

I do hope this is not the case for your beautiful Phillip and he makes a full recovery

 

[Eggcessive]

my understanding of Mereks is all hatchery birds are vaccinated for mereks which gives them the disease and stops any symptoms showing untill they get old.
Over time they end up with tumors all through-out their body and over time things slowly start to shut down. The worst part is seeing them paralyzed which starts out with limping. The disease is shed through the dander and feathers and birds do eat both which is how they catch this horrible disease.
If a new un-vaccinated bird is put with a flock that is vaccinated, that new birds immune system is put at risk and will get the disease and start showing all the signs at around point of lay/crowing then will stop laying/crowing and will probably die soon after, so sorry to say this but i may be wrong but that is what i have read about this horrible disease.
My advise is DONT mix un-vaccinated birds with vaccinated birds.

I do hope this is not the case for your beautiful Phillip and he makes a full recovery

I don’t think that is accurate about Mareks vaccines. All hatchery birds are not all vaccinated, and the vaccine does not cause unvaccinated chicks to be infected.

 

[AstraChick]

I don’t think that is accurate about Mareks vaccines. All hatchery birds are not all vaccinated, and the vaccine does not cause unvaccinated chicks to be infected.

In Australia, all hatchery chickens are vaccinated, this all started back in the 70's, not sure on USA laws on hatchery vaccinations.
I have researched this over the last few weeks, read lots of articles, most had been way too many pages long, which most people will not spend the time to read due to time but i needed answers as to what is this Marek's disease.

couple of short eg:

1. https://www.poultryworld.net/Health/health_tool/Mareks-disease/
Marek's disease insights
Study: Poultry at risk from ‘leaky’ Marek’s vaccination

Scientific experiments with the herpes virus strain that causes Marek's disease in poultry have shown, for the first time, that some types of vaccines allow for the evolution and survival of increasingly virulent versions of a virus that could put unvaccinated individuals at greater risk of severe illness.


2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek's_disease
Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. It is named after József Marek, a Hungarian veterinarian. Marek's disease is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as 'Marek's disease virus' (MDV) or Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2).[2] The disease is characterized by the presence of T cell lymphoma as well as infiltration of nerves and organs by lymphocytes.[3] Viruses related to MDV appear to be benign and can be used as vaccine strains to prevent Marek's disease. For example, the related Herpesvirus of Turkeys (HVT), causes no apparent disease in turkeys and continues to be used as a vaccine strain for prevention of Marek's disease (see below). Birds infected with GaHV-2 can be carriers and shedders of the virus for life. Newborn chicks are protected by maternal antibodies for a few weeks. After infection, microscopic lesions are present after one to two weeks, and gross lesions are present after three to four weeks. The virus is spread in dander from feather follicles and transmitted by inhalation.[4]

Mareks Disease is not treatable, however supportive care can help.

It is recommended that all flocks positive for Mareks Disease remain closed, with no bird being introduced or leaving the flock. Strict bio security and proper cleaning is essential, using products like Activated Oxine or Virkon S and reducing dander buildup in the environment. Proper diet, regular deworming and vitamin supplements can also help keep infected flocks healthier. Reducing stress is also a key component, as stress will often bring about illness in birds infected with Mareks Disease.

However, because vaccination does not prevent infection with the virus, Mareks is still transmissible from vaccinated flocks to other birds, including the wild bird population. The first Marek's disease vaccine was introduced in 1970. The disease would cause mild paralysis, with the only identifiable lesions being in neural tissue. Mortality of chickens infected with Marek's disease was quite low. Decades after the first vaccine was introduced, current strains of Marek Virus cause lymphoma formation on throughout the chicken's body and mortality rates have reached 100% in unvaccinated chickens. The Marek's disease vaccine is a leaky vaccine, which means that only the symptoms of the disease are prevented.[11] Infection of the host and the transmission of the virus are not inhibited by the vaccine.

sorry for the long post which i have shortened.
This link is also an interesting read... https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/tthis-chicken-vaccine-makes-virus-dangerous


Eggcessive, have a read this all wrong? i'm only trying to do whats best for my chickens.

5GodsDown, please update us as to Phillips health, i'm sending you lots of hugs for Phillip to make a recovery, i have lost chooks too and its hard when they pass over the rainbow bridge. I feel like they take a piece of my heart with them.

 

[5GodsDown]

He doesn ‘t need the oyster shell, but he can have some granite grit to pick at if he wants it. Neither oyster shell or grit should be fed to them. They take what they need. It is hard to say if you will see improvement, but I certainly hope so.

But he should have it at disposal, no? Since he can't forage anymore... the chicks don't take it, they find enough through the garden

 

[5GodsDown]

In Australia, all hatchery chickens are vaccinated, this all started back in the 70's, not sure on USA laws on hatchery vaccinations.
I have researched this over the last few weeks, read lots of articles, most had been way too many pages long, which most people will not spend the time to read due to time but i needed answers as to what is this Marek's disease.

couple of short eg:

1. https://www.poultryworld.net/Health/health_tool/Mareks-disease/
Marek's disease insights
Study: Poultry at risk from ‘leaky’ Marek’s vaccination

Scientific experiments with the herpes virus strain that causes Marek's disease in poultry have shown, for the first time, that some types of vaccines allow for the evolution and survival of increasingly virulent versions of a virus that could put unvaccinated individuals at greater risk of severe illness.


2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek's_disease
Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. It is named after József Marek, a Hungarian veterinarian. Marek's disease is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as 'Marek's disease virus' (MDV) or Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2).[2] The disease is characterized by the presence of T cell lymphoma as well as infiltration of nerves and organs by lymphocytes.[3] Viruses related to MDV appear to be benign and can be used as vaccine strains to prevent Marek's disease. For example, the related Herpesvirus of Turkeys (HVT), causes no apparent disease in turkeys and continues to be used as a vaccine strain for prevention of Marek's disease (see below). Birds infected with GaHV-2 can be carriers and shedders of the virus for life. Newborn chicks are protected by maternal antibodies for a few weeks. After infection, microscopic lesions are present after one to two weeks, and gross lesions are present after three to four weeks. The virus is spread in dander from feather follicles and transmitted by inhalation.[4]

Mareks Disease is not treatable, however supportive care can help.

It is recommended that all flocks positive for Mareks Disease remain closed, with no bird being introduced or leaving the flock. Strict bio security and proper cleaning is essential, using products like Activated Oxine or Virkon S and reducing dander buildup in the environment. Proper diet, regular deworming and vitamin supplements can also help keep infected flocks healthier. Reducing stress is also a key component, as stress will often bring about illness in birds infected with Mareks Disease.

However, because vaccination does not prevent infection with the virus, Mareks is still transmissible from vaccinated flocks to other birds, including the wild bird population. The first Marek's disease vaccine was introduced in 1970. The disease would cause mild paralysis, with the only identifiable lesions being in neural tissue. Mortality of chickens infected with Marek's disease was quite low. Decades after the first vaccine was introduced, current strains of Marek Virus cause lymphoma formation on throughout the chicken's body and mortality rates have reached 100% in unvaccinated chickens. The Marek's disease vaccine is a leaky vaccine, which means that only the symptoms of the disease are prevented.[11] Infection of the host and the transmission of the virus are not inhibited by the vaccine.

sorry for the long post which i have shortened.
This link is also an interesting read... https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/tthis-chicken-vaccine-makes-virus-dangerous


Eggcessive, have a read this all wrong? i'm only trying to do whats best for my chickens.

5GodsDown, please update us as to Phillips health, i'm sending you lots of hugs for Phillip to make a recovery, i have lost chooks too and its hard when they pass over the rainbow bridge. I feel like they take a piece of my heart with them.

Thank you for your support

We believe it's probably not Mareks. The poultry vet walked in and immediately said "this is not Mareks". Apparently the nervous form is very rare around here, the vet only sees the form where they suddenly lose weight and die. Phil also has full control of his wings, neck and legs, it's almost all of his toes that don't work...

 

[AstraChick]

Thats great to hear hopefully with lots of love and support from you he will make a full recovery