The Poultry Keeper

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3455 Location: Monmouthshire

Mareks frequently presents as a dropped wing or limping. The bird remains alert and will eat and drink for as long as it is able to get about. It is best described, in its most common form, as creeping paralysis. Mine have never had the opportunity to reach the classic 'one leg forward, one back, head down, wings out for balance' stage as constant observation means that even minor changes rarely go unobserved. If a bird drops dead unexpectedly, it's unlikely to be Mareks.

Phil@Birchams · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Beccles

Mareks is a Herpes virus, causing tumors on the organs. The birds exhibit peculiar behavior, lowered heads, grey eyed, rapid weight loss, and just lay down and die.
I will vaccinate future day olds of my own for Mareks, if it is practicable in small numbers. In consultation with others I have decided not to vaccinate for any other diseases, the preferred option being to keep the flocks isolated from each other and the outside world, together with biosecurity measures.
Bought in commercial birds are vaccinated at day old and point of lay for the common diseases as a matter of course.
I think people who keep small numbers of birds will naturally look after them well, and will be the first to notice any that are sickly. I always think it is best in that case to cull the affected bird.
My Vet has put our Mareks outbreak down to bad luck - no particular reason why we should have been affected.

Phil