Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

I have a pullet, 8 mos old, started kind of stumbling with one leg. Pretty good on the other. Using the opposite wing for balance. Started about a week ago. Now she just sits, flops some when you come too close. I picked her up, no wing or leg damage when I stretched them out, no broken bones. Now today, another young one, maybe 3 months, is starting the same thing. Sort of like partial paralysis.

Researching, is sounds a lot like Mareks, but no cloudy eyes, which as near as I can find is pretty much always a sign. Also looked at botulism, which might be, but completely no idea where they would get into it, no rawmeat, dead carcasses. Did feed a few stale rye buns to them, ergot? But not a lot, and quite a while ago.

Had another hen do this about three months ago, did not turn out well. Going to cull these two this morning.

Anyone got any ideas? What, why? Free range well fed bunch.

Does sound like Mareks but that can be difficult to diagnose. SHe is a little older than normal but still possible. She just may not be resistant to this variant if it is Mareks. Has she lost weight/condition a all. You are likely best off culling them as you say. ANy chance of getting an autopsy done?
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Yep, i agree with the culling....it does sound a lot like mareks. sorry to hear.

i have lost a few cockerals around her age with the same symptoms one went to Guelph and it was confirmed Mareks. haven't had any signs in the rest of the flock for a couple years now but since it travels in the air, we are all suseptible to it unless your chickens live in a bubble. Sorry for your losses, it is very hard to see them go down that road
Sue
p.s. I tried alot of different things on the first ones from making a swing to the herbal remedy method and nothing worked, i just prolonged their suffering

Done. How I hate that part, but is necessary. I made my pact with myself that my animals would be well taken care of, and there are times this kind of decision is necessary, but darn I don't like it.

I know what you mean. Just try to remember that you did the kindest thing for your hen.

You did the best thing.

Necropsy her if you can. Mareks paralyzes by way of little tumours on nerves. They look like little grains pretty much anywhere, but very visible on muscle. If they're free ranging, it shouldn't be a dietary problem unless heavily inbred (can intensify metabolic issues) or your soil is very deficient.
Do you keep turkeys?

It' never easy to do it and it hate it but will not watch them suffer. I am so sorry :sad: