I don't know that anyone can help, but thought it couldn't hurt to ask. I have 11 naked neck chicks, 6.5 weeks old. They've been in my house since the day after hatching, away from any other birds. Two days ago, they went outside into their own cage, to get ready to join the flock when big enough. It has been colder than I expected, but they have a light, and are covered at night (only the front is open during the day, so far).
Yesterday, one of the little roos seemed slow to get up. Today he can't. Of course, I'm thinking Marek's, but it doesn't seem to fit. The least time I can find listed for incubation is 14 days. The last group who went out into this cage, it happened to one, as well, about the same age. I did disinfect between groups.
Is there anything else it could be? I'm reading thru every reference I have, but so far, coming up empty.
Any thoughts welcome...
Marek's Disease?
Mites can weaken chicks really quickly - worth taking a close look.
Thanks porkpal, I will usually I notice when I pick them up, but I'll check him right now. Thanks!
No, no mites. His left leg appears weak, his right is extended, and seems "locked", but when gently encouraged to bend, he has strength in it. He is eating.
That sounds like Mareck's. Doesn't mean he will die.
http://www.apa-abayouthprogramsite.org/Edu_Material/Poultry%20Diseases/What_is_Mereks_Disease.pdf
ZZ, yes, that's what I thought, but with an incubation of minimum 14 days, it seems less likely. Not that its not possible, maybe even probable, but I'd hate to miss something that might be treatable. This year, I've had 4 show similar symptoms. 1 (large adult roo) lived, two (OEG roo, SL Wyandotte about 6.5 weeks, same as this) died.
I have ivermectin and am considering deworming, but again, no exposure. Can chicks hatch with a worm burden?
Sigh. I know I'm reaching, but, well.....
Are those the only chickens on your property? You do know it's airborne. They don't have to be exposed to the chickens to be exposed to Mereck's. It could be on the dust of your clothes. Those symptoms are Mereck's for sure. Just treat to keep them comfortable.. and hope for the best is about all you can do. It's not always a death sentence.. there is still hope. :)
ZZ, no, they're not the only chickens, but were in the house, which is a good distance from the chickens. I see your point. I could have carried it in to them.
He's still hanging in there, and the others seem okay, but I have to engineer some kind of support for him. He gets himself in weird positions trying to get around, so I need to find a way to keep him upright. I've got him in a cookie tine for now, but it doesn't look very comfortable. I'm leaning towards a sling of some kind.
If anybody's got any spare fingers to cross, I'd sure appreciate it. I've tried some very strange things in an attempt to save this little feller, but today I gave up. I undid all the gizmo's that were supposed to kept him upright, and decided to let nature take her course. Went back two hours later, and he was upright, and eating. So I redid the whole box, and made him a nest of crumbles (the ultimate breakfast in bed), and put his water where he can get to it.
Don't know how positive this really, is, but it's surely better than what I expected...
Crossing fingers and toes.
Me too! - Sounds promising.
They CAN recover.. stay positive and give him some time. I think you did right to get rid of the gizmos.. let him deal with it how he has to.. much better! The immobility might have been very temporary... Good move on your part!
At the time I gave him the "assistance devices", he wasn't even able to hold his head off the floor, and kept hitting his face with his feet. I was afraid he'd take an eye out. This morning he's somewhere in between, moving but not very co-ordinated. Almost as if he's stronger, but more frustrated. We'll see how it goes. He's talking, so that's a nice thing:)
Thanks, all....
Im so glad you posted this thread catsy! I have run into the same thing over and over out here with young chicks.Right now i had 2 aprox 8 week old goslings go down on me one at a time they flip onto their back and cant right themselves the legs seem strong but they cant stay upright enough to eat or drink the male gosling did it first and he did die however i have been taking the female to the water several times a day and getting her upright and drinking she will pick at a little food until she tryes to get up then she takes a couple of funky high steps and flips back over on her back again. I have lost 8 5-8 week old buckeys one at a time since i moved them from my house.I just dont know what to do to keep this from happining some of the chicks i put out are affected and many are not?
I have great news! Big thanks to all who crossed fingers, etc, for him. He's UP. SHE_WOLFIE, I didn't know what to do. He still just sat with his legs straight out in front, and "paddled" them frantically. I know he was trying to run, but couldn't stand on his feet. I felt he was in real danger of injuring his eyes, he put his head down on the floor as he "ran" his legs, so his eyes were being hit by every "step".
I started thinking about making him a wheeled cart, like those made for dogs. If he could use his legs (which were very strong now) to get around, why not try? Seemed mean to have him killed when he was trying so hard, and still eating and drinking as best he could.
ZZ, I couldn't do it. I couldn't let him be. I made a new "device" for him. I made a box that functioned as a sling (the actual sling kept getting twisted around) to keep his legs in a "down" postion. They went thru a hole, and his body was supported front and back by a web of duct tape, sticky sides together. His feet touched the bottom, and he would have been in a standing position if he could keep them under him. I had food and water at the same level, so he could just reach as small distance to eat and/or drink. In 24 hours, I found him at the other side of the box. I thought he'd just flapped hard enough to get there, so put him back. Several hours later, he was on the other side again. Went to pick him up and re-install him, when I realized he was standing. Wobbling, but standing. So I redid the box. Put a towel in the bottom, and arranged his food and water at chest level.
He's now walking around, and making nice little noises. I don't know where he'll go from here, but it seems a good sign.
:)
So glad he's better. Good work!