The Poultry Keeper

Peckhams · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Scotland

I'm relatively new to poultry keeping and inherited some waifs and strays a couple of years ago when I moved to my farmhouse.
Since then - having caught the bug and decided which breed to go for - I have steadily been increasing my flock of Brahmas.
This years chicks have been pampered beyond belief and have for the last 2 months been outside with the others - free ranging. They have until very recently looked very healthy and bright. Yesterday One of the 7 was missing and I found him slumped in his coop. His legs seem to have given up on him - other than this he is bright eyed and feeding and drinking ok. I am now panicking - after searching the net - looking at all the poultry info and looking through all my books - I am wondering whether or not this is the dreaded Mareks Disease. Is there anyone who can offer advice?????
Are there any other symptoms? Is it curable? What about the other youngsters? They are all pets predominantly and I would be devastated if they had to be culled - is this the only option? I have lots of questions but no answers - the general opinion on all information pages is - don't get it - vaccinate first - mine are not vaccinated - am I too late to do anything about it ? Or is it likely to be something else? One other youngster has a swollen eye - again only appeared yesterday - I assumed it had banged itself on something or maybe had been stung - could this be connected or was yesterday just an unlucky day for my chicks? I would really appreciate any advice - I'll probably be going to the vets tomorrow anyway but I don't think he's that much of an expert on pet chickens.
I did reply to Chris - I had a hen 2 weeks ago who had breathing difficulty - she was quickly cured but I am beginning to think this might all be connected - it's very strange that all these maladies are appearing at the same time when I've had no problems before! Sad

A big thank you in advance for anyone who may be able to offer some info

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

Think Debs is the woman u need but hope u get sorted

debcat · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject:

Deb should be along in a while

Peckhams · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Scotland

Thanks Debcat
Patiently waiting for Deb...
Kind regards,
Debbie (Yes seriously!!! another one Rolling Eyes

)

debcat · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:16 pm Post subject:

NannyP · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject:

Oh no, I can't cope, it'll be too confusing Rolling Eyes

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject:

So now we have Deb, Debs, Debs2 and Debbie. Hmmmm! Think I'll stick to Julia!

Good luck with your bird Debbie, hope you get it sorted!

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Ok Debbie,...I am here. I will cover the easy stuff and then get into asking questions about your roo. (I have been through this wretched disease twice now...both forms of it.)

Marek's does have a vaccination. It is a LIVE virus, so any chickens that are not vaccinated will contract the disease. Any new chickens that you bring in will HAVE to be vaccinated prior to arrival. My suggestion.....DON'T vaccinate.

There are two forms of Marek's, both are airborne. Both attack the nervous system along the spinal cord. One shows up as splayed leg in chicks and the other shows up as (as you put it) legs giving up on adults.

First seperate out the roo that has his legs given up on him. Also seperate the one with the swollen eye. They can not be together or near the others. You will have to use great care in disenfecting yourself when going from the two to the rest of the flock.

You may think that they are eating alright, but their body weight can plumment over night sometimes. Do a mixture of canned cat food, layers crumbs, yogurt and a canned vegetable, for both of the isolated ones AND the healthy ones. Also pick up a vitamin/electrolite supplement for their water. I used double the recommended dosage and only saw improvement that way.

Talk to your vet and get Baytril prescribed for both of them.

You need to treat both of them the same, as the swollen eye could be a symptom of Mareks.

Now, for the questions:
1. Did you check for mites, especially red mite?
2. What color are the poos?
3. What is the consistancy of the poos?
4. The swollen eye, is it oozing?
5. Both of them, eyes or noses oozing?
6. Gurgling when they breathe?
7. Legs that gave out, are they under him or spread out to the sides?
8. Legs that gave out, did you examine for any wounds around the leg area?

Hope some of this helps you. Remember, I have been through this twice. It is not a disease that I wish on anyone.

Deb

Peckhams · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Scotland

Thanks for your reply - been hoping you'd show up all day...
The little chap is eating ok he's had some mashed up egg today - I have been giving him vitamin supplement in his water but today thought I'd switch to antibiotic - I had some left over from Vicky. His legs tend to be underneath him and went I went to see him a few minutes ago - his wing was sticking out. I did just post a mail to an old one of yours - you said you had a hen with similar symptoms was that Mareks in the end? Becky - the one with the eye is still outside - I'll bring her in and do as you say.
The droppings are ok I think. Obviously little mans are sticking to his bum because he can't stand - so I'm cleaning him up regularly... Do you think it is the dreaded MD? Does it manifest itself in different ways in different birds? In answer to your other question - no sign of runny eyes or gurgling or ruuny nose!!!

Peckhams · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Scotland

Don't think they have red mites - does this cause collapsed legs??? Will go check...

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Peckhams · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Scotland

Oh of course - must still be early for you - especially as it's a Sunday!
I'm just a bit too eager to hear any news I suppose. Sorry Wink

I've checked the little man over for mites and can't see any - they did have signs of mites/lice a while back and were all treated with louse powder - but I do not think that they were red mites - just the more common ones I think! (Most poultry books seem to say they all get mites/lice from time to time)
I 've been pooh hunting (difficult,as they are completely free ranging) and some of the poohs do look a little green in colour. Becky (swollen eyes) seems a little better(or that may be wishful thinking) I haven't caught her yet - she keeps ducking away - but she will be going to roost in a minute or two - so I'll get her then and put her on her own. You shouldn't have favourites but she's mine - I really hope she's ok. Thanks again for all your advice and interest - I know people have posted their thanks many times before - it is so helpful to have someone offer you their experience -and it's very much appreciated, Debbie cheers

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Do you have your roo seperated also?

Mites will wear them down, make them feel sick and give them less energy. To check for red mite, go out in the coop at dark, rub some kitchen towel across the roosts and then look for blood smears.

I am just running through the list of what I think it could be. Red mite, although disasterous in it's own way, is still much better than Mareks.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Hi Debbie!

I've just gone through what Deb thought could have been Mareks. I had a wyandotte who couldn't control her legs - as if she was drunk.

I had her on Baytril for 4 days and had another antibiotic that I put in the water for both her and the 'healthy ones'.
And she is 'almost' back to normal now!

So - good luck

Debs

Peckhams · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Scotland

Hi Deb,
Have separated them both. Checked for red mite - no signs!

Thanks Debs, good news about your chuck, hope mine recover too - my little cock never even went through the wobbly stage - he just suddenly couldn't stand at all. Crying or Very sad

Hopefully I will be better informed tomorrow. Fingers crossed.