migsy Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 I have 3 hens that I got together a couple of months ago - non vaccinated I assume. One of them, Barbara, limps a bit but seems ok as she can move around ok and is happy. However, over the last few days Gerry seems hardly able to walk. She sits down a lot and when she walks she is very unsteady and can fall over. She is bright in herself and eating and drinking but she sits in the run most of the day. She seems to be getting worse. I'm really worried and I think I'm going to have to take her to the vet to be PTS. Obviously I'd ask the vet for an opinion but, realistically, I sure it is unlikely that you can easily cure such a problem. Has anyone got any ideas? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 23, 2010 Author Share Posted October 23, 2010 I'm wondering if she has Mareks as she doesn't move her wings either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Sounds as if they need to be taken to the vet, tbh. In the meantime, I'd isolate any sick birds from the rest of the flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Oh dear poor Barbara and Gerry Hope you can get to see the vet, sending you all our positive vibes Migsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Two young birds limping in one flock isnt good news - get them to a vet but if they arent that expert on chickens its worth doing some research so you can tell them what you suspect - I'd start by looking up Mareks disease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 Thanks everyone. One of the birds only has a very slight limp, the other one, Gerry, can barely walk at all now. I am taking the really ill one to an avian vet tomorrow. I'm loathe to have the other one PTS because I'm not sure whether she is ill or not. I have only one other pure breed and the other chickens are vaccinated. The other PB seems fine and her comb is much redder than the other 2 which also makes me suspicious as the 3 are all supposed to be the same age. I've read that Mareks tends to affect about 50% of the flock so perhaps the Ancona is not affected. Perhaps the vet will be able to give me a better idea but I believe a diagnosis can only be made after a PM. I have also just read on a forum that Cream Legbars are particularly susceptible to Mareks (Gerry is a Cream Legbar). They are also likely to succumb to it at point of lay or moulting. Gerry is 23 weeks old. It is all pointing to Mareks. Poor Gerry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 25, 2010 Author Share Posted October 25, 2010 Gerry was PTS this afternoon. The vet thought it could have been Mareks and said she was very poorly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve the Gas Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 So sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 I'm so sorry, fingers crossed for the others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
