Thnx 4 the help

[leadwolf1]

Marek's is really not age specific...even though all the literature says that it does. It more depends on when exposed and the stress level involved.

I am no authority on Mareks BUT I was told that a two year old would not be suffering from Mareks - it normally affects much younger birds. Is there any chance that your girls may have eaten some mouldy food or something toxic? I ask this question as I had problems with a two year old chicken, she lost control of her walking and she was pecking at food but missing the feeder - it was suggested to me that she may have been suffering from toxic poisoning - my girl recovered after intensive care and she had a good quality of life.

Just something for you to consider......

Best of luck

Suzie

 

[Suzie]

Leadwolf,

Thanks for that - I was sure that two of my girls were suffering from Mareks and I posted on BYC about their symptoms and the responses were that it would not normally affect a two year old chicken (for the first time in it;s life) - I culled the first one that was suffering as I felt she may have had Mareks and she had no chance of living a normal quality of life, the second one was a very special hen to me and she did not appear to be suffering from pain, she ate, drank and eventually lived a normal life after some very intensive help from me - daily massaging and aiding here to walk after she became ill - I make no excuses for keeping her, save the fact that her will to live was so very strong, her quality of life was good - on reflection she may have had Mareks - I was told that it would not affect a chicken of that age and now I feel bad that I may have misdiagnosed her.

I am very grateful for your comments and I will in future keep an open mind about Mareks - I will read up on the subject further now.

Thank you

Suzie