Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[TeamCutler]

Was she vaccinated?

 

[Elisha81]

I'm not sure. I got her from a farm at a few weeks of age. I fed them the medicated feed as well.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Was she vaccinated?

I'm not sure. I got her from a farm at a few weeks of age. I fed them the medicated feed as well.

With the legs going one forward and one back, sounds like Marek's. Is there feeling in her toes, does she react to say a safety pin poking her skin?

 

[Elisha81]

let me go poke. i know she has feeling in one leg. she usually just rests on the hocks like in a resting position. i've only seen the leg going out twice. like she has slipped. brb and ty!

 

[Elisha81]

LOL she def has feeling! that got me pecked and she sure didn't like it!

 

[TeamCutler]

If I'm not mistaken the medicated feed is more focused toward coccidiosis. Mareks attacks the nervous system and usually the legs are the first to be affected. They eat and drink but don't get around as well and eventually don't get around at all. They usually start showing signs 4-6 mos of age. If it was a local farm they probably weren't vaccinated (to vaccinate properly its pretty expensive, has to be stored in liquid nitrogen, only good for 30 minutes once drawn up, and they have to be vaccinated in the egg or right at hatch). It's progressive but not painful. It's just a differential. There's a vet in Bellevue that is a board certified poultry specialist.

 

[Elisha81]

yikes so if it's marek's she will get worse. if it's slipped or injury she will get better? if it is marek's am i going to lose my flock? how did she get it if that is it. They all came from the same place and together. ugh now i'm worried I'm going to lose em all and it's my first time with chickens. boooo :'(

 

[mikeyb]

Wow this thread is huge! How cool! Just stopping by to say howdy from Redmond and add to my posted from. Hoping to meet new chicken friends

Hello and a BIG WELCOME.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

If I'm not mistaken the medicated feed is more focused toward coccidiosis. Mareks attacks the nervous system and usually the legs are the first to be affected. They eat and drink but don't get around as well and eventually don't get around at all. They usually start showing signs 4-6 mos of age. If it was a local farm they probably weren't vaccinated (to vaccinate properly its pretty expensive, has to be stored in liquid nitrogen, only good for 30 minutes once drawn up, and they have to be vaccinated in the egg or right at hatch). It's progressive but not painful. It's just a differential. There's a vet in Bellevue that is a board certified poultry specialist.

You are right about the medicated feed. There are three ways Marek's can show. Most common is leg/wing paralysis. There is one that affects the eyes causing blindness. And one that is like skin lesions. They are all caused by tumor growth. The vaccine does not stop a bird from getting Marek's, just prevents the growth of the tumors. For this reason some people, including myself choose not to vaccinate. You can breed for resistance to Marek's, you cull all that are affected and breed those with no symptoms. Marek's is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to avoid as it is rampant in wild birds. It is just like Cocci, it is unaviodable. You just have to be willing to deal with each case as it comes. My neighbors flock has Marek's, so I know mine has been exposed as well. Have lost a few chicks that did not thrive due to probable exposure. All my birds that make it past the 10 month mark are pretty much safe to breed and likely not to develop tumors unless something else lowers their immune system. There are a few crucial time markers with Marek's. First 6 weeks are when most losses occur. 10-16 weeks is the next mark for paralysis. 10 months is believed to be clean of the disease.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

yikes so if it's marek's she will get worse. if it's slipped or injury she will get better? if it is marek's am i going to lose my flock? how did she get it if that is it. They all came from the same place and together. ugh now i'm worried I'm going to lose em all and it's my first time with chickens. boooo :'(

Read my post above this one