birds developing leg problems then they die ??

[chickendan1]

I spoke with someone today that had birds that would go lame then die after about 2 weeks.
He said one of their legs would stick out to the side like splayed legged chicks , start losing weight
then die about 2 weeks later. He has lost 3 out of his 10 birds so far. They are buff orpingtons from this past spring.
Any ideas on what he can do to stop this ? I've never dealt with this so didn't know what to tell him.
thanks,
Dan

[Rich]

Sounds like Mareks disease. Usually starts in birds as a limp wing or leg, progresses to paralysis and death. The best way to prevent it is to vaccinate chicks at hatching. One of the common names for it is Range Paralysis. Classic symptoms is to be laying on the ground with one leg out the front and another out the back of the body.

[chickendan1]

thanks Rich, he suspected that's what it could be but wasn't sure as this is his first time raising chickens.
does anyone know if theres anything that can be done for adult birds with these symptoms ?

[katschicks]

does anyone know if theres anything that can be done for adult birds with these symptoms ?
Not a thing. And if you vacinate for Mareks you need to do it at one day old. Doesn`t do any good on older birds. Even vacinated chicks can get it as older birds but the percentages of that happening are real low. Like 5% or less. And even a non-vacinated bird can recover but the odds are even less of that happening. It`s just a part of breeding chickens. Rog

[Brian Paul Witt]

I've seen the exact thing in other breeds. It is common with sloppy line/in-breeding. Line breeding is essential for standard bred poultry, but must be done carefully along with serious, severe culling.
BP

[D C T]

Besides Marek's which has already been mentioned there is botulism. And then in fast growing heavy breeds there can be weakness of the leg bones and joints
:(

[BlackOrpington]

Another thing besides Marek's and Botulism is the reovirus or viral arthritis also maybe avian leukosis. I would take the next one that dies and get a necropsy. Then you will know for sure and be able to treat it accordingly. I hope you birds get better and you can get to the bottom of it. For me not knowing is the hardest part. :(

[micofwis]

Years ago my birds developed the exact same symptoms as described. After I started vaccinating baby chicks for Marek's, the problems were about 99 percent eradicated. So to me, this is clearly Marek's. Vaccinating is easy (after a little practice) and relatively inexpensive. It is just part of responsible poultry husbandry.