to cull or not to cull...

[musicteacher456]

So.... we got our first two hens about two weeks ago. Both were about 16 weeks old. They were doing fine and adjusting their new home nicely. The Black Australorp had established herself as the alpha. She would peck at and, what seemed like, corral the Buff Orpington around the run and coop. The BO seemed sort of "off": sleeping a lot, slow to learn to walk up the ladder, never figured the roost out...stuff like that. We joked that she was special. I just thought that breed was more docile and gentle...

We had a neighbor close/open up the coop and feed and water the birds while we were out of town for 48 hours. Upon our return, the BO could not walk and barely kept her eyes open. I thought maybe it was heat stroke as she showed no outward signs of problems or symptoms other than her toes curling a bit. My neighbor said she never saw her outside the coop. Even though there was food and water in the coop, I thought if it wasn't the heat, maybe she just didn't eat or drink for a period of time? We separated her from the BA. We put her in a cool bath and offered yogurt and scrambled egg. She did not eat. I dipped her beak in some water, and she drank a bit. I got on a few forums and asked questions and did a little research. As this is my first go at this, I really didn't know what else to do.

Next day, same symptoms, only a bit worse. A lady (a stranger from a local forum) in the neighborhood that lived nearby came over to take a look. She thought maybe Marek's. So we brought the BO inside. She has eaten a little yogurt from a spoon and drank a few sips of water and Gatorade. Now she seems like she's near death: barely responsive, won't drink or eat, and almost falls upside down when I try to move her.

My question is: Has anyone had experience with Marek's? Her symptoms related to the disease are inability to walk, lowered head and sleepiness. Her eyes are not grey, she doesn't have any tumors, her neck is not twisted... I keep thinking maybe if she eats or drinks she could get better, but on the other hand, I just want to get it over with. In the meantime our BA is all alone, and I want to get another healthy bird (or two).
What should I do? I don't want to deal with this tomorrow, and my husband could take care of it tonight...

 

[leadwolf1]

It does sound like it could be Marek's...or, it could be coccidiosis. Easily cured with Corid in her water. It's been going on for sometime and hopefully you could get the meds in time.

I'm hoping it's coccidiosis.

If it is Marek's, there is only one way to tell. You will need to have a necropsy done. Most states have labs that will do one for little/no cost. If it is Marek's, your BA is at risk also. It is very contagious. You will not be able to simple get more 'healthy' chickens. You will have to get chicks that have been vaccinated for Marek's at 1 day old. You will then have to keep them isolated from the other chicken/s. You will need to do this for 2 weeks at least...8 - 10 weeks would be better.

If you decide to euthanize her, you will need to put her in a plastic bag and keep her in the fridge until you can find a lab to take her to. Do yourself a favor and find that lab. If it is Marek's, you need to know that before bringing more chickens onto your property.

Clean your coop with bleach. Everything, feeders, waterers, everything. Let it dry and replace all bedding. Unfortunately, Marek's is spread through dander, feces and saliva so anything that the sick one touched in a source of infection.