Silkie chicken with large growth on chest and both cheeks

[chickenslakest]

Hello, If someone can assist with this issue I have with my almost 3 year old silkie.

She has large growth that look dry and hard. also has similar one on face on both sides.

Please let me know what I can do to help her or if I should separate her from others.

Shes eating and walking around fine.... slower and more lethargic than usual but still active and social.

Please help

 

[danceswithronin]

Looks kind of like the cutaneous form of Marek's disease. If it is Marek's it is highly contagious and the rest of your flock has already been exposed.

I personally would euthanize or cull this chicken and burn the body, but it doesn't mean the rest of your flock and your coop isn't already carrying it. I'd vaccinate them against it just to be on the safe side but it doesn't mean you won't have more chickens come down with it. I'd also do a hardcore sterilization of the chicken coop and run as well.

Here's more info on Marek's: https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/mareks-disease/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[azygous]

Tumors in chickens are caused by viruses. My oldest chicken, a Brahma hen just turned ten years, has had a tumor over her eye for several years, and it appears to be only causing a little tearing on occasion.

But several of my chickens have died from tumors. My flock has the leucosis virus. Here's more information on tumors in chickens. http://www.yourchickens.co.uk/care-and-advice/tumours-in-chickens-1-4187539

 

[chickenslakest]

Looks kind of like the cutaneous form of Marek's disease. If it is Marek's it is highly contagious and the rest of your flock has already been exposed.

I personally would euthanize or cull this chicken and burn the body, but it doesn't mean the rest of your flock and your coop isn't already carrying it. I'd vaccinate them against it just to be on the safe side but it doesn't mean you won't have more chickens come down with it. I'd also do a hardcore sterilization of the chicken coop and run as well.

Here's more info on Marek's: https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/mareks-disease/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Shes been vaccinated as a chick so how did it happen? Plus shes been around the other hens for quite some time and they are all healthy. poor girl is wanting to get better and join her friends

 

[chickenslakest]

please help since the farm i purchased her from has never seen it.

 

[danceswithronin]

Shes been vaccinated as a chick so how did it happen? Plus shes been around the other hens for quite some time and they are all healthy. poor girl is wanting to get better and join her friends

Even if she was vaccinated as a chick, she could be infected with a different strain of Marek's later in life, which is why a lot of hatcheries put a disclaimer on their vaccinations saying they are not a surefire safeguard against the disease. It's a virus so it's constantly evolving different variations.

Also birds can carry it with no outward symptoms at all.

 

[azygous]

Most chickens are carriers of some virus or another. Many chickens develop resistance and never get sick, while others develop symptoms. Your Silkie hen has developed symptoms of a virus. We don't know which virus, unless your hen dies and you get a necropsy on her body.

There is no cure. As long as your hen is eating and active, she can continue to live with the tumors until they begin to affect her quality of life. Then you may choose to put her out of her suffering.

 

[chickenslakest]

Even if she was vaccinated as a chick, she could be infected with a different strain of Marek's later in life, which is why a lot of hatcheries put a disclaimer on their vaccinations saying they are not a surefire safeguard against the disease. It's a virus so it's constantly evolving different variations.

Also birds can carry it with no outward symptoms at all.

I have 2 hens without vaccinations living with the rest. Im worried about them since they are a like 5-6 months old. I guess by now they are all exposed and its waiting game to see what happens next.

So she will not get better? and heal? she will eventually pass?

 

[azygous]

My hen has been living with a tumor for years, and it hasn't killed her yet. Most chickens never reach ten years old even without a virus, so there's no need to think it's the end of the world. Your Silkie could have a longer life than most chickens like my ten year old hen who is carrying a virus. Be happy each day you have her.

 

[azygous]

is wanting to get better and join her friends

Let her go back to her friends. She has nothing they don't already carry themselves as these viruses are all contagious. There is no guarantee that the other chickens will get sick or develop tumors, just as a human with cancer can be around other people without giving it to them.