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Chicken keepers

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Original poster

any chicken keepers around? urgent

21 replies

chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 08:25

when i let girls out this morning i noticed our oldest hen, about hen, was led flat with her legs behind her. she will eat out of my hand, looks healthy but cannot stand. anyone encountered this? she was led on her front, not her side
we are taking to vet at 8.50am but trying to prepare myself for worst
she is the family favourite. she is a wonderful hen
anyone know likely treatment options? i may have to decide to pts i know

OP posts:
Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 08:25
  • about 8
OP posts:
TrinityIsABunnyMunchingRhino · 16/03/2011 08:27

I'm sorry, I used to have hens but have no experience of this

Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 08:27

thanks for hugs

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VivaLeBeaver · 16/03/2011 08:28

I've had this before and it was Marek's. We had a PM that confirmed it after my second chicken died. I think we actually had the second PTS as it wasn't improving. first one died quite quickly. Sorry if it is this as its not nice.

Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 08:33

thanks for info. do you mean its contagious? will mention it to vets

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Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 08:36

o no, just googled it. highly contagious. better to know though. dont want them to suffer

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VivaLeBeaver · 16/03/2011 09:37

It is contagious but not all chickens get it. They can be carriers and not affected, or they can be affected but not seriously.

If it is Marecks the best thing you can do is make sure any new chickens you get are vaccinated. It often flares up at times of stress, so moults or coming into lay.

I thought about culling my chickens and starting from scratch but the vet pointed out htat chickens can pick it up from wild garden birds so even if I got a new flock unless they were all vaccinated they could get it.

VivaLeBeaver · 16/03/2011 09:38

I had 2 out of ten die. The others haven't been vaccinated and are probably carriers now. I just make sure any new ones I get are vaccinated but haven't vaccinated the ones I already had.

Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 09:59

thanks for all the info, that has been very helpful

i've left her with the vet and will re-assess at lunchtime. i thought i would say pts but as she is still fairly alert and hand feeding & drinking we decided to give her a chance for a few hours. she will get antibiotics etc at vets and they will monitor her for a few hours. although she only has a slim chance so have to be realistic.

also as she is so used to being handled and slept in a box inside during cold weather i felt she wouldnt be in distress from the attention itself (some of our others arent used to being handled as much)

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nickelbabysnatcher · 16/03/2011 10:34

does sound like Mareck's.

hope she's okay (but it's unlikely, i'm afraid :( )

and definitely get the others checked and vaccinated.

Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 13:24

vet rung with lunchtime update - she is eating and drinking a bit more, temp is lower, she is clucking, still cant stand though. she laid an egg Shock she had stopped laying. virus still seems likely due to neuro difficulties

nick - do you mean vaccinated for mareks? wont that be too late now if hen does it? all the others are looking fine so far. vet said just to keep an eye on them

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nickelbabysnatcher · 16/03/2011 13:41

yes.
not for the hen that's poorly now, but for the other hens.

nickelbabysnatcher · 16/03/2011 13:41

although, like Viva says, they might already be carriers now.

Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 14:35

thanks nick, will ask vet about vaccine

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VivaLeBeaver · 16/03/2011 23:14

IME a lot of vets aren't too sure about chickens. There isa good poultry vet at Retford. If you google them you'll find them, something like Retford Poultry Vets is their name. They will give advice to you/your vet over the phone. And obviously if you're near them they're good to go to. I think they sell the vaccine over the internet in small quantities as well.

Original poster
chickchickchicken · 16/03/2011 23:47

thanks viva. will check in the morning and pass info to vet

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Original poster
chickchickchicken · 17/03/2011 09:33

viva - thank you so much for info. i rung retford poultry vets this morning and also passed their number to my vet

hen is eating a bit more this morning and balance slightly better but cannot walk so its still fingers crossed for good outcome

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VivaLeBeaver · 17/03/2011 10:22

No problem, hope she recovers.

Original poster
chickchickchicken · 17/03/2011 18:19

hen is home walking around Grin Grin

she is still resting a lot more than normal but has spent a few hours this afternoon wrecking the garden enjoying the sunshine

vet rung the retford poultry vets and following their advice think it was probably a trapped nerve causing legs not to work. so so very glad i didnt pts. vet did point out that she is a geriatric Shock but she is still usually last to bed and first to grab the food Smile when well

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VivaLeBeaver · 17/03/2011 21:57

Thats great news, glas that Retford were able to help. They do seem very good that they'll happily provide advice over the phone.

hellymelly · 17/03/2011 22:00

That is such good news Smile get well soon chicky!

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