The Poultry Keeper

Rossatron305 · Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Suffolk

Yesterday morning i found one of my young seabright pullets dead in the run, she had been looking off the day before, wasn't eating or joining in with all the others, been looking a bit unstable since i got her a couple of weeks ago, Worried that it may of been Marek's and could the other birds of caught it off her, they been moved do a diferent run and am goin to fully sterilize the run and house she was in, any other advice on what i should do next and will the other birds die too.
Regards Ross

Autumn · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 494 Location: Suffolk

Sorry to hear your predicament. I can't help, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to offer some advice! Sounds like you're doing all the right things though. Must be so worrying for you. Sad

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

Were there any visible signs of illness like swollen head, discoloured comb (blue) or extremely thin body? Was she passing normal pooh or was it discoloured (if so what colour), or watery? Was she just sat hunched prior to death, eating and drinking normally? Was there any discharge from her beak or did her breath smell nasty or crop feel harder than normal?

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

Instability could well point to Mareks, but you've cleaned out, moved the other birds so just keep a close eye on them. Always bear in mind that birds exposed to mareks who DON'T get it are either already resistant, or will aquire resistance. Despite the doom & gloom merchants, that is the up side if you want to breed.