Legbar with Mareks - keep or cull?

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jackie57

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Hi

I have a three month old legbar pullet that I'm sure has Mareks ( not confirmed by vet ). Last week she was walking but stumbling and having problems with one leg. Took her to the vets, he checked for breaks or dislocation, and gave her anti-inflammatory jab. Since then she is off her legs completely, one in front and one behind. She is quite normal from the legs up, eating, drinking, preening, and very alert. I don't want to rush into things and have her PTS , without giving her a chance, but also don't want her to suffer. She is indoors in a pen so we can attend to her. Has anyone had any experience of a chicken surviving Mareks, and what are the chances of her having passed this to the rest of the flock ( How long before anyone else shows symptoms ?
Thanks
Jackie
 
Hi Jackie, what a hard decision. If she's off her legs, with one in front and one behind, it's not good, I'm afraid. If she were mine I would have her PTS by the vet, if you can't face doing it yourself. If it is Mareks, she will be a risk to your flock as long as she is alive even if she survives, and even if its not Mareks, it would seem she has some kind of serious neurological problem that is unlikely to resolve itself. Her age, three months, is when Mareks often manifests itself, ts much more common in chicks and young growers, as I expect you know. So sorry.
There's an article on the Poultrykeeper site about Mareks, if you haven't already found it;

http://poultrykeeper.com/nervous-system-problems/mareks-disease-in-backyard-flock
 
Thanks Marigold, I do know you're quite right, I think it will be a one way trip to the vets tomorrow. I suppose we all hope for a good outcome , but have to bear in mind the effect on the rest of the flock. I'll be keeping a close watch on them, though I don't know if or when they might show any symptoms. It would help if they could show how ill they were right from start of something brewing.
 
Just been reading about vitamin deficiency, it seems that a lack of B2 ( Riboflavin ) can show as splayed legs and curled toes. Lebar was due to go to the vets this evening, but maybe I'll try a few doses of vit B2 first. The pictures of birds with this deficiency were identical to those with Mareks. We may not beat this, but I won't give up without a fight ( and neither will she ).
 
Did you raise her yourself Jackie? Its not very likely that such a young bird fed on good quality chick crumb would have a severe enough vitamin deficiency to cause these problems, unless she was genetically unable to absorb Vit B, in which case supplementing it is unlikely to help.
I'm glad you're keeping her in quarantine - make sure you wash your hands before handling your other birds.
 
Yes Marigold I did raise her myself along with her five sisters and seven brothers, yet she is the only one showing any problems. They do have access to the grown ups layers pellets and goose crumb, maybe she has been filling herself up with these. I also have eight marans one week younger, and they don't have a problem either. I've given her life-guard chicken vitamins in her water, and she also has poultry spice a couple of times a week. Her legs are no longer stretched out to the front and back, she pulls them under her more now. It seem deficiency of vit B2 damages the sheath of the siatic nerve and affects the legs. Tried today, but supermarket or Boots don't sell it, husband is buying some tomorrow in Holland and Barrett. wish us luck !
 
That's very interesting, I hope she gets better. I understand the possibility that she hasn't been eating the full amount of the right stuff. How old were the chicks when they joined the main flock? Did they have at least a few weeks just on chick crumb?
There is still the possibility that she has some kind of viral damage or other infection, however, perhaps from within the egg, as the others in the hatch were all healthy. If she gets better, you may have some difficulty in returning her to the flock as they will treat her as a single, new bird and she may get picked on.
 
Yes the legbar family were raised by broodies and had just chick crumb for about four weeks before they were let out. I have had to confine the odd chicken or chick in the past, but when they are returned, every single bird in the flock has been totally accepting, so I think all should be fine if this little one survives. They do have about an acre of land to themselves, so there is plenty of space for them to adjust. If B2 is not the answer, I am still considering the PTS option.
 
I took her to the vets yesterday, he now thinks it is Mareks, and she was PTS. RIP Legbar .
I will have to keep a very close eye on the others, symptoms could show 10 - 14 days after contact, The vet thinks it has probably come from wild birds, as mine all free range ( an acre of land is quite a lot to keep them covered ).This is definatey the downside to poultry keeping.
 
So sorry to hear that, Jackie, but you did the right thing, and looked after her as much as you could. As you say, the risk of infection is just one of the downsides of a lovely free range life, but let's hope the space you give them will help reduce the risk of further infection. Do let us know how the rest of them get on as time goes by.
 
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