Should I cull?

[Chicken George]

I have a 3 month old pullet who I'm 99% sure has Mareks. She seems to be the only one exhibiting any symptoms of the disease. She eating normally but stumbles a lot and today she was in a paralyzed stance when I picked her up she struggled and ran normally. Should I cull her or wait to see if she defenitely has it?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Are there any other signs of illness in your flock?

Gasping
Nasal drainage
etc.???

 

[CMV]

The only way you are going to know for certain if she has it is to do a necropsy. If she has it then it is likely present throughout your flock. I would treat her with a heavy vitamin regimen and hope that she is just suffering from a deficiency. You are too late to save her and the flock from being exposed to Marek's if that is indeed what she has, but since it is a disease that is fatal in the long run anyways I would give her a chance to see if she may be suffering from some other problem. She will have at least a good year before the Marek's becomes an issue unless she is struck down completely. Then, if she dies, you can send her in for necropsy.

Just in case of death, I would do the research now to establish where she will need to go, how she will need to be shipped, cost, etc.

Sorry you are going through this.

 

[Chicken George]

Thanks guys I'll look in to the necropsy and the only other thing thats off is my rooster has dark red eyes.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thanks guys I'll look in to the necropsy and the only other thing thats off is my rooster has dark red eyes.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps031
here's a link for eyes


And here's a link for nutritional deficiencies
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/toc_206900.htm

And lastly, (scroll down to paralysis) you should rule out moldy feed/coop conditions
http://www.poultry.msstate.edu/extension/pdf/diseases_poultry_diagnosis_symptoms.pdf

Oh I almost forgot to say that CMV knows her stuff and I agree with CMV. I wanted to rule out some other things too.

 

[Chicken George]

Thanks for the links they're really helpful so far.