Some Paralizing Desease Is Wiping Out My Little Flock

[DeRock89]

Something is happening that’s causing my hens to become partially paralyzed. Two have died and now this morning, another is limping.

This is only affecting the hens that are Easter Eggers. Several weeks ago I found one just dead and removed her. A few days later, another hen was not using her right leg at all. There were no signs of Ingury and it showed signs that she was unable to feel sensation in that leg down past a certain point. I quarantined her and she passed a week and a half later. That was three weeks ago.

The one this morning is limping and having difficulty using her right leg and does not show signs of injury either.

I previously made a post on here a few weeks ago about the last one to have this happen, trying to determine if it was injury or disease. It seems to me that this is confirmation it is disease.

In that previous thread, someone subjected its Mareks Disease... if So, I think that means it viral...

What can I do to keep this from killing them all? Will it kill them all? Is there anything at all I can do to treat the one that’s limping now? Quarantine doesn’t seem to help. The incidents are so far apart time wise that it’s impossible to really isolate potential infection. Is it possible it’s not Mareks disease?

I already battled a coccidiosis outbreak several months ago. I’m about to give up on having chickens...

Here is the previous thread about the second hen... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hen-has-a-leg-injury-that’s-not-healing.1267094/

 

[HuffleClaw]

Possible Mareks disease? As for how to treat, I will be doing some research and I’ll come back to show you what I’ve learned!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I agree with @Kayla’s Chickens . It sounds like Mareks. I am so sorry for your losses! Bear hugs!

 

[HuffleClaw]

https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/mareks-disease/
I have found this article, hopefully it helps!

 

[coach723]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Table4Six]

I'm so sorry. It does indeed sound like Mareks Disease. Mareks is a viral disease that can take six different mutations, each with similar or different symptoms. I highly recommend treating your birds with antibiotics and cleaning your entire coop/run with a disinfectant to prevent the disease spreading. Without wiping out the possible spreading of the disease you'd never be able to make additions to your flock and not having the high possibility of them getting infected as well. Unfortunately, there is really no known cure for MD, so antibiotics are your best bet. Again, I'm so sorry this happened.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Something is happening that’s causing my hens to become partially paralyzed. Two have died and now this morning, another is limping.

This is only affecting the hens that are Easter Eggers. Several weeks ago I found one just dead and removed her. A few days later, another hen was not using her right leg at all. There were no signs of Ingury and it showed signs that she was unable to feel sensation in that leg down past a certain point. I quarantined her and she passed a week and a half later. That was three weeks ago.

The one this morning is limping and having difficulty using her right leg and does not show signs of injury either.

I previously made a post on here a few weeks ago about the last one to have this happen, trying to determine if it was injury or disease. It seems to me that this is confirmation it is disease.

In that previous thread, someone subjected its Mareks Disease... if So, I think that means it viral...

What can I do to keep this from killing them all? Will it kill them all? Is there anything at all I can do to treat the one that’s limping now? Quarantine doesn’t seem to help. The incidents are so far apart time wise that it’s impossible to really isolate potential infection. Is it possible it’s not Mareks disease?

I already battled a coccidiosis outbreak several months ago. I’m about to give up on having chickens...

Here is the previous thread about the second hen... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hen-has-a-leg-injury-that’s-not-healing.1267094/

I'm sorry for your loss.
How old are they?

Are the EE's housed separtely from the others or do you feed/keep them differently?
It does sound like Marek's may be affecting your flock. The only way to find out for sure is to have some testing performed. You don't mention where you are located, but if you are in the US contact your state lab and make arrangements to send a bird in.
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

In the meantime, look at your food to make sure it's not moldy or out of date and that your birds don't have access to anything decaying. Keep water and food clean and fresh. Poultry vitamins for a few days to give them a boost won't hurt.

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