Young chicken limping and not eating or drinking.

[Farmgal101]

Unfortunately Lucky passed away. I am devastated. I don't know what happened.

I am so sorry to here that..We couldn't figure out what happened earthier..Maybe she just wasn't getting enough protein..I hope the best for your other chickens

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Awe, I'm so sorry about Lucky. Is there any labs or vets near you that can do a necropsy?

 

[rebrascora]

I'm so sorry that you lost her.

My guess would be Marek's disease based on her age and the symptoms you describe. It is an exceptionally common and wide spread virus and unfortunately there is no recognised treatment. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last few months. The incubation period for the disease is a minimum of about 3 weeks but it can lie dormant for significantly longer and there are a multitude of possible symptoms, lameness and lack of coordination being one of the commoner ones. The disease usually initially affects the neurological system and often birds have lameness or a dropped wing or twisted neck (wry neck) or wry tail. It also compromises the immune system and leaves them prone to respiratory or digestive tract infection or coccidiosis. Often the bird will lose weight despite eating well. The final stages are usually caused by tumour development and system shut down. The green poop is common of the digestive system shutting down.
Of course, without a necropsy, we will never know the actual cause but Marek's is the most likely culprit for a young bird exhibiting unexplained lameness and then death.

 

[blakeee]

I am so sorry to here that..We couldn't figure out what happened earthier..Maybe she just wasn't getting enough protein..I hope the best for your other chickens

Thank you. The other chickens keep looking for her.

 

[blakeee]

Awe, I'm so sorry about Lucky. Is there any labs or vets near you that can do a necropsy?

I think so but they're not really experienced in chickens so I don't think I'll bother.

 

[blakeee]

I'm so sorry that you lost her.

My guess would be Marek's disease based on her age and the symptoms you describe. It is an exceptionally common and wide spread virus and unfortunately there is no recognised treatment. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last few months. The incubation period for the disease is a minimum of about 3 weeks but it can lie dormant for significantly longer and there are a multitude of possible symptoms, lameness and lack of coordination being one of the commoner ones. The disease usually initially affects the neurological system and often birds have lameness or a dropped wing or twisted neck (wry neck) or wry tail. It also compromises the immune system and leaves them prone to respiratory or digestive tract infection or coccidiosis. Often the bird will lose weight despite eating well. The final stages are usually caused by tumour development and system shut down. The green poop is common of the digestive system shutting down.
Of course, without a necropsy, we will never know the actual cause but Marek's is the most likely culprit for a young bird exhibiting unexplained lameness and then death.

The only chickens I've added are those three when they were around two- three weeks old. She had really bad cocci when she first came to me.

 

[blakeee]

I'm so sorry that you lost her.

My guess would be Marek's disease based on her age and the symptoms you describe. It is an exceptionally common and wide spread virus and unfortunately there is no recognised treatment. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last few months. The incubation period for the disease is a minimum of about 3 weeks but it can lie dormant for significantly longer and there are a multitude of possible symptoms, lameness and lack of coordination being one of the commoner ones. The disease usually initially affects the neurological system and often birds have lameness or a dropped wing or twisted neck (wry neck) or wry tail. It also compromises the immune system and leaves them prone to respiratory or digestive tract infection or coccidiosis. Often the bird will lose weight despite eating well. The final stages are usually caused by tumour development and system shut down. The green poop is common of the digestive system shutting down.
Of course, without a necropsy, we will never know the actual cause but Marek's is the most likely culprit for a young bird exhibiting unexplained lameness and then death.

Should I be worried for my other birds?

 

[rebrascora]

Marek's tends to affect mostly young adolescent birds, so I don't think there is a huge risk to your other birds and there is nothing you can do anyway, except keep them happy and stress free, which we all strive for anyway. If you add young birds in the future, then they will be at risk because, if this is Marek's, there is a good chance that at least some of your other birds are now carriers and juvenile birds would be at risk of contracting it. The virus is spread via dander dust which is inhaled to infect new birds. As you will know, chicken coops are pretty dusty places, and that virus can lie dormant for quite some time, so it is hard to tell which birds might succumb to it or be carriers for life. There is a lot of really scary information out there about Marek's Disease and whilst each individual loss to it heart breaking, I don't find it nearly as devastating as most of what you read. I've had it in my flock for nearly 4 years now and I lose the odd juvenile/adolescent bird and very occasionally an older bird but I do also have birds that have suffered attacks and survived and many that have been exposed but not suffered any ill effects.
Worrying doesn't achieve anything, so be aware, be educated about it, keep your flock happy and well nourished, use a multivitamin supplement occasionally to support their immune system and perhaps consider probiotics or fermenting their feed to support their digestive system and hope for the best.

 

[blakeee]

Marek's tends to affect mostly young adolescent birds, so I don't think there is a huge risk to your other birds and there is nothing you can do anyway, except keep them happy and stress free, which we all strive for anyway. If you add young birds in the future, then they will be at risk because, if this is Marek's, there is a good chance that at least some of your other birds are now carriers and juvenile birds would be at risk of contracting it. The virus is spread via dander dust which is inhaled to infect new birds. As you will know, chicken coops are pretty dusty places, and that virus can lie dormant for quite some time, so it is hard to tell which birds might succumb to it or be carriers for life. There is a lot of really scary information out there about Marek's Disease and whilst each individual loss to it heart breaking, I don't find it nearly as devastating as most of what you read. I've had it in my flock for nearly 4 years now and I lose the odd juvenile/adolescent bird and very occasionally an older bird but I do also have birds that have suffered attacks and survived and many that have been exposed but not suffered any ill effects.
Worrying doesn't achieve anything, so be aware, be educated about it, keep your flock happy and well nourished, use a multivitamin supplement occasionally to support their immune system and perhaps consider probiotics or fermenting their feed to support their digestive system and hope for the best.

So Lucky had two sibling (Myrtle and Seaton) they're the same age. Is there a possibility that they have the disease? My other chicken Bailey just hatched 10 chicks. This is so heartbreaking to hear. I don't want any of my chickens to die at such a young age but you're right. There's nothing I can do besides do what I've been doing. Thank you for your help.

 

[rebrascora]

There is a chance that chickens can die at any age whether it be from illness, injury or predator, but if this was Marek's, then there is a concern that your new chicks will be at a higher than usual risk but nothing you can do about it. Just bear in mind that adolescent cockerels with raging hormones running amok in a flock causes stress and that has been one of the prime triggers of Marek's outbreaks in my flock, so have a plan for your surplus cockerels before they get to 14-15weeks old, because one day they are little sweethearts and the next they are raping and pillaging and causing mayhem. That is probably the best advice I can give you. Hatching is great fun. Dealing with the surplus cockerels that result is one of the most difficult and challenging parts of poultry keeping. Start planning now.

Edited to add that if this is Marek's then it is best not to pass on/sell chickens to anyone else who has chickens or at least not without disclosure. So selling/giving away your surplus cockerels is probably safest for meat only..... so don't get too attached.... or build them a bachelor pad separate of the girls.