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[ISCA]

In the summer my Buff Orpington (Margo) developed what looked like Mareks and was PTS by the vet. All my other hens were, and still are, healthy. I replaced her with another Buff Orpington (Marjorie) immediately after, from the same breeder and she has be fine and dandy...until this weekend when it was like a deja vu scenario.

 

Exactly the same symptoms, off legs (well leg as the weakness was one sided), not eating or moving and then the wing on the affected side lost power today and was splayed out to the side. I returned from work to find her looking most unwell As the vet was closed we decided the best thing to do was dispatch her. I have never done this before but we felt it was the kindest option. Absolutely horrid to do, but at least she is not suffering now.

 

I find it strange that only the Buff Orpingtons have succumbed, and 6 months apart. Are certain breeds more susceptible to Mareks? It may of course not be Mareks at all but the signs and symtoms were identical.

 

RIP Marjorie Bloomers

[Redwing]

It certainly sounds like Mareks, its spread in the dander from the feathers and will probably be ever present if you have had a hen with it

 

Maybe your hen was a little run down and so it took hold although some breeds are more prone to it than others

[ISCA]

Oh dear. Hope none of the others get it.

 

They were all supposidly vaccinated against Mareks although I believe there are different forms.

 

Guess it is all part of chicken keeping.

[Daphne]

It does sound like mareks. I have also lost a buff orp (bant) to it, but although some breeds are susceptible, orps aren't known as being one of them. Well done on culling her, it can't have been easy but as you know its a nasty disease - one which causes suffering. As Tasha says it is spread via dander so have the most thorough clean using something like Virkon. Personally I wouldn't buy stock from the same place again, even though this may be sheer bad luck, its not worth the risk (apparently the virus can be very long lived in dander) when there are many good breeders about.

[alet_chicken]

Hi ISCA, so so sorry to hear about Marjorie.

[ISCA]

Thank you. It was a horrible task, and I have to admit I didn't sleep so well so it had upset me but today I am glad I did it and stopped her suffering.

[The Dogmother]

I am sorry to hear that.

 

A vaccination against Marek's isn't totally foolproof and they can still get a slightly different strain.

 

The herpes virus can lay dormant for many years, is present in most flocks and isn't normally a threat unless the hen is otherwise unwell or having a bad moult. The symptoms you describe are classic signs, although it can be less severe, with the bird shuffling to feed; IF it regains it's legs (unlikely) they will usually still go on to die of internal cancerous growths, so culling is the kindest thing to do.

 

Strip down the housing, disinfect it and boost your flock with a good quality poultry tonic in the water. I'm afraid that it's one of those things that there's very little you (as a backyard keeper) can do about it, although breeders would have to cull all their affected stock.

 

I had one bird die of it a few years back, it was a very sudden death. Another one earlier this year, which was slower to take hold, but I knew the signs and culled the bird immediately.

[chicken bark]

Can't add anything as I've not experienced it. I just wanted to say well done for dealing with it and sorry for your loss.

[ISCA]

Thanks Claret and chicken bark.