Back in the summer I had decided not to share some bad news. Our Americauna hen, Elana, had died. We had no idea why and it happened so fast that I decided not to post about it. I found her acting broody in our picnic cooler which was airing outside. When I went to remove her she allowed me to pick her up and then proceeded to collapse into my hands weak. It was then that I noticed how thin she was and that her belly was completely bear. I assumed the other chickens had been picking on her and she was unable to get any food. So I started toward the coop when she suddenly vomit. Realizing I had a sick chicken on my hands, I took her to the horse barn instead where the brooder is kept for such occassions. She was very weak and could barely stand on her own two legs. I gave her water and food in hopes that she would recover, but the next morning I found her dead. I had no idea why. And truth be told, I did not look it up. I let it go as a freak occurrence.
Then last week our cuckoo maran, Pearl, became ill. Farm girl had caught it. She spotted her in the yard acting broody. After she reported seeing this and suspecting Pearl wasn't feeling well I went out to take a look. I thought for sure she was fine for I had seen her running around the yard just hours before looking healthy and active. But sure enough she felt very thin and when I put her on the ground she went to flee but fell over her own feet. I've never seen a chicken fall over their own feet, so new something serious was wrong. As Elana before her, I immediately separated her and took her to the brooder in the horse barn. When I placed her in the brooder she fell over again. Remembering how weak Elana was and how fast she went, I figured that was the end of Pearl and I would find her dead in the morning. I didn't. But she was weaker. I assumed she would die within the next few days. She didn't. She became weaker and got paralysis in the neck and one side of her body, but she did not die. It was then that I finally did some research. My conclusion---Marek's Disease. I debated whether to put her out of her misery and to save the rest of my flock by killing her, but I couldn't bring myself to it.
A couple mornings ago, I went into the barn and found her lying on her side with her legs in the air. I figured she was finally dead and went to take her out of the brooder. But then she chirped ever so softly and her foot flinched. She had complete paralysis. I new it would be within the hour or by the end of the day for sure. I was glad. Poor girl had taken so long to go, I knew she was suffering. The day went by, I got busy and forgot to check on her. The next morning my girls did morning chores and I remembered then to ask one of them what they did with Pearl's body. She informed me that she was alive and standing up. I couldn't believe it so ran out to the brooder. She was indeed alive, but was sitting on her belly looking up at me from one side of her head as her neck still had paralysis. I lifted her and found she was able to stand as my girls reported.
I really have no idea what Pearl had or for that matter, Elana, but I am crossing my fingers for Pearl and hope she pulls through. Being a chicken owner is enjoyable and rewarding but at times sad and frustrating. And at times, like now, I wonder what the hell I think I'm doing owning a flock of chickens when I obviously have no idea what I'm doing. But then I calm myself and remind myself that it is all a learning process and that I grow as a chicken farmer with each experience. Good or bad.