Just completed my $3000 dream coop and planned to move young flock in. Now one has Marek’s. Now what…

the_kitchen__drawer said:

Following. My fingers are crossed for you and your flock.

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thank you and everyone -

UPDATE: (and I welcome advice and thoughts on what you think could be going on)

The SS has not improved, if anything he has more paralysis (or extreme weakness??). That said, his poops which were completely liquid the last two days were solid today (twice!). He is greatly emaciated and almost just skin and bones and feathers whereas he had some meat on him at some point. I could tell he was losing weight as of two days ago, but at least since starting Corid yesterday he is no longer pooping water.

HOWEVER…he still has a will to live! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ So as long as he does, we have decided to accommodate what we can for him and he seems to be happy with that. He is using his wings and flops them around (this is more or less how he moves). He can hold his head up and flop over but can’t stand on his own at all. When we offer him water or food though, he gobbles it down! He is alert when we engage him and though he doesn’t seem well, he is still coo’ing a bit when we hold him.

So far - NO other chicken in our flocks are showing ANY sign of illness. He is in his own little kennel a few feet from our 3 week old chicks, but they seem better with him near since one of the four was attacked yesterday and perished.

Any thoughts on what could be going on with this little guy? Provided he makes it through the night I’ll film him in the morning for everyone. I haven’t been able to see anything about coccidiosis that would lead to paralysis like this - and it started with a limp, not just overall weakness. Marek’s seems to fit the paralysis but not the liquid poops (that are improving now).

iono ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ hope he lives. he’s sweet.

miss_shickenchit said:

thank you and everyone -

UPDATE: (and I welcome advice and thoughts on what you think could be going on)

The SS has not improved, if anything he has more paralysis (or extreme weakness??). That said, his poops which were completely liquid the last two days were solid today (twice!). He is greatly emaciated and almost just skin and bones and feathers whereas he had some meat on him at some point. I could tell he was losing weight as of two days ago, but at least since starting Corid yesterday he is no longer pooping water.

HOWEVER…he still has a will to live! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ So as long as he does, we have decided to accommodate what we can for him and he seems to be happy with that. He is using his wings and flops them around (this is more or less how he moves). He can hold his head up and flop over but can’t stand on his own at all. When we offer him water or food though, he gobbles it down! He is alert when we engage him and though he doesn’t seem well, he is still coo’ing a bit when we hold him.

So far - NO other chicken in our flocks are showing ANY sign of illness. He is in his own little kennel a few feet from our 3 week old chicks, but they seem better with him near since one of the four was attacked yesterday and perished.

Any thoughts on what could be going on with this little guy? Provided he makes it through the night I’ll film him in the morning for everyone. I haven’t been able to see anything about coccidiosis that would lead to paralysis like this - and it started with a limp, not just overall weakness. Marek’s seems to fit the paralysis but not the liquid poops (that are improving now).

iono ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ hope he lives. he’s sweet.

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The only other things aside from Mareks I know of that cause severe lameness are MS (Mycoplasma Synoviae, which is very evident to see in the foot and hock joints, extremely swollen like a balloon, hot and red), a "stroke" as in heart disease can cause paralysis and Tetnus from a puncture wound or even snake bite, the bacteria can cause the bird to lock up. Nerve damage in the spine or neck from some injury or fall could do it too. A concussion can cause lameness. Encephalitis, brain swelling from a virus or bacteria, can make it difficult to walk and function. I am not aware of anything else that would cause this. I think at this point it's supportive care that will help him. Do you have a vet that you can take him to for a blood sample to test for Mareks?

miss_shickenchit said:

thank you and everyone -

UPDATE: (and I welcome advice and thoughts on what you think could be going on)

The SS has not improved, if anything he has more paralysis (or extreme weakness??). That said, his poops which were completely liquid the last two days were solid today (twice!). He is greatly emaciated and almost just skin and bones and feathers whereas he had some meat on him at some point. I could tell he was losing weight as of two days ago, but at least since starting Corid yesterday he is no longer pooping water.

HOWEVER…he still has a will to live! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ So as long as he does, we have decided to accommodate what we can for him and he seems to be happy with that. He is using his wings and flops them around (this is more or less how he moves). He can hold his head up and flop over but can’t stand on his own at all. When we offer him water or food though, he gobbles it down! He is alert when we engage him and though he doesn’t seem well, he is still coo’ing a bit when we hold him.

So far - NO other chicken in our flocks are showing ANY sign of illness. He is in his own little kennel a few feet from our 3 week old chicks, but they seem better with him near since one of the four was attacked yesterday and perished.

Any thoughts on what could be going on with this little guy? Provided he makes it through the night I’ll film him in the morning for everyone. I haven’t been able to see anything about coccidiosis that would lead to paralysis like this - and it started with a limp, not just overall weakness. Marek’s seems to fit the paralysis but not the liquid poops (that are improving now).

iono ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ hope he lives. he’s sweet.

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here is an example of something that can mimic mareks disease. I’d say it’s worth a shot to try this treatment.

CaliforniaMountainChicks said:

here is an example of something that can mimic mareks disease. I’d say it’s worth a shot to try this treatment.

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Dietary issues are definitely worth mentioning as well as this member has shown. Roosters especially can be prone to dietary deficiencies as are certain breeds of chickens and other poultry.