saracook31 Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Our little ex barn hen Muffin has been acting very strangely since yesterday... Sometimes her walking is fine, but shes often walking sideways or backwards & dipping her front down when she walks backwards. Any ideas what could be happening? I wondered if it was a stroke or something similar?! Shes also loosing a lot of feathers, she shakes & they fall out all over the place! I go on holiday for 2 weeks tomorrow afternoon so really worried about leaving her now! Edited as I've seen a few posts about Mareks, does that sound likely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 As you're going away, I'd take her to the vet. It'll either put your mind at ease, or give you a treatment plan for when you're away. I do hope you solve it. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I've lost 4 sebrights to Mareks in the last couple of months. I bought 6 new birds which seemed fine when I bought them, then after about a week started showing signs of mareks. Two have just gone to the vets today to be put down. They started walking funny, very stiff jointed, then it was almost as if the legs bent in both directions and they started wobbling all over the place. Then the paralysis took over, one leg forward one back. It was horrible to watch, very distressing. I contacted the people I bought them off just to let them know I'd had a problem and they got very defensive, they gave me loads of excuses trying to say that they'd caught it off my other chickens. Not very happy at the moment and certainly wont be buying form them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I'm so sorry Madmitch. Having lost a new chicken to a genetic problem I know how you feel. I am beginning to see the advantages of hatching your own, so long as you can get reputable eggs and deal with the cockerels. It seems a coincidence if only the new ones went down with this. Did the vet give any hint as to whether they came with it ? Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I'd get them to the vet just to be sure - if it is Mareks its better to find out sooner rather than later... Madmitch - what a nightmare *hugs* If you're current hens are ok and showing no signs then its pretty likely that they've encountered Mareks at their previous reisdence, if the supplier was defensive then it usually means they want to bury their heads in the sand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Sadly Sebrights are one of the Mareks prone breeds and as it's brought on by stress (and moving a new home is one of the most stressful things for poultry), it's not that unusual. Here's hoping those left stay healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 aren't ex bats vaccinated against Mareks? and wouldn't she have got it sooner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 That crossed my mind too Sandy. I guess no vaccine can be 100% effective though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 yes have heard of them NOT getting for whatever reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Sorry to hear that. If it's any consolation, the progress of Mareks is very swift and they rarely suffer. It is a herpes virus, and in the background of most flocks, but only really attacks poorly or stressed birds. Moulting time is usually when it rears it's head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Morning - just wondered if theres any news on Muffin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saracook31 Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Sorry, only now back from my hols! Muffin is still with us, my mum looked after them all & a week ago she really looked as if she wouldn't last until I got back. However the last couple of days shes perked up, new feathers growing & mum doesn't think shes been walking like she was! So just keeping an eye on her 4 now, plenty of food to keep her strength up! Thanks for you replies.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 i had one walked real weird, sort of low to the ground one side down neck out lookimg as if she could only see out of one eye(cos was using one side) also started making pathetic cheapig sounds. After 2 dif long rounds of antibiotics made a full fully featherd recover! (she was very poorly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saracook31 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 Sorry I haven't managed to get on here recently & thought I should update on Muffin... Really wasn't expecting her to still be with us for xmas to be honest, but shes grown all her feathers back (with extras to replace the bald patches she's always had) and can walk perfectly & just seems a much happier chook all round! Since I got her given to me in June, she's always been bottom of the pecking order, picked on, scraggy, skinny & grumpy! She's now a beautiful looking hen & has put on weight & just her change in size has stopped her getting picked on! I don't know what it is about these loner chickens I get given, that feel the need to make me worry! When I get more time I'll add pics of what she did look like & what she looks like now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Lovely news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Great to hear it I had a similar experience with a moulting hen recently and happily she has recovered, too. She's so soft and silky now! Can't wait to see pics skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Similar experience with a sick hen that was almost bald! So glad she is lokig gorgeous like my Scraggles and well like mine & Skyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovebugette Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I know this answer is a late one, but having encountered this very same problem I wanted to help anyone else that happens upon this issue. "Stroke"-like symptoms with sideways walking can also be a symptom of a heavy moult - one of my "old" girls who is almost three was looking as though she had suffered a stroke and I googled the symptoms. After much reading it seems associated with heavy moulting. In her life she'd never had a heavy moult, and this plays havoc with their poor bodies. The information I gleaned suggested high protein additions to their food, preferably pm when they've consumed enough of their pelletts, and to include things like sunflower seeds, tuna in spring water (brine too salty!), meal worms etc. I came across some high protein wild bird food which I bought and after just a week she was as right as rain. I was lucky enough to find some Bill Oddie wild bird food in my local Poundland (other shops with tatt for low prices are available!) and so bought up a few bags - generally it contained sunflower seeds, peanuts and meal worms with other items so they could of course be bought individually. I have recently invested in a big bag of sunflower seeds from the local garden centre - much cheaper than Sainsbury's I can assure you!! Oh, also include some Chicken Spice in the winter months (available at Omlet shop) as this helps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
