HELP! My poor Zeus.

Ok, you see my roo in the avatar? well that's Zeus. He's the sweetest rooster. He keeps my flock going and I couldn't imagine life w/o my almost three year old baby. but this morning I realized he did not get off of his roost (he sleeps on the "rooster roost" with his buddy because it is lower and easier to access than the other roost). So I walked near him and he limped off the roost. I was shocked to see my twelve pound chicken limping. I quickly scooped him up and came inside to look up what to do. Now I saw online that it could be Merek's disease and I flipped, but I also saw that it could be a standard injury.
Symtoms:
one leg limping,
not wanting to move around much (except that wouldn't be possible since he is in a cage),
drooped tail,
and just recently; watery poop.
I am sooooo scared it will spread, b/c I have show birds nearby.
I heard St. John's Wort could "cure" Merek's disease.
So what does this sound like to you. He's eating and drinking fine by the way. I would imagine it being difficult to hurt a 12lb roo w/ 1in. wide legs.
Thanks so much for your answers.
~Gigi.

Oh, and he was vaccinated but mypetchicken said that only prevented some of the serious symptoms like tumors. Not theoverall transmission of the disease. But I can't let my buddy die! Only three of my birds are vaccinated but one of my oldest for some is the one that could possibly have it. Please Help!!!

Hi! I'm afraid I can't help you very much, as I'm sure you have already checked under his foot for any thorns or other stuff that could be puncturing it. Sorry if I missed you already answering this question, but was he vaccinated specifically for Merek's? Is he eating and drinking?

Thanks!

I did not inspect his leg thoroughly as a flapping 12lb roo is hard to deal w/. yes he was vaccinated specifically for Merak's. yes he is eating and drinking but A poster who had Merak's disease said that their bird ate and drank till the end.

Quote: I agree, it would be hard to look him over closely. Sorry, I'm no expert on Merek's, as you can see.Maybe pics would help? I understand how much you don't want to lose him. I lost a rooster that I hatched at my coop and raised from chickhood and it was terrible. Good luck and keep me updated!

Thanks!

I fed him a vitamin, egg yolk mixture, and he made various "belching" sounds after/during the administration of the "potion". He also had a half greenish half foamy poo. (which is not normal.)

Here is a link on Merek's Disease that might help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/895447/help-mereks-disease

I'm afraid there is something wrong w/ his intestines.

Well I don't know for sure, just that he had a bunch of gurgling sounds when he ate.