YankeeMinstrel
In the Brooder
- Aug 1, 2015
- 48
- 2
- 22
Last August, I hatched 3 chicks, and two grew up to be some of the friendliest roosters that I've ever had. Today, one of them inexplicably went lame. As I was getting ready to put his brother in for the evening, I noticed that he was limping to the point where he was hopping on his right leg, not using his left leg at all.
Things that have been mostly ruled out:
-Fracture from ankle and below. There is no sign of any broken bones on his calf or the portion of his leg not covered in feathers.
-Paralysis in left leg. He can move it when he wants to and pull it up to stand like a flamingo, and my flock has no history of Marek's disease.
-Foot wound. His foot was the first thing I checked. No sign of a wound.
Possible possibilities. I don't know how to recognize these, nor do I know how common they are in less-than-one-year-old roosters who haven't been doing any particularly strenuous activities:
-Hip or thigh fracture
-Sprain
-Strained muscle
-Ligament damage
-Dark magic
If you know how to recognize symptoms to any of those, how I can tell, what I can do, and the recovery rate, I would greatly like to know. If it would help, here are a few things about his physiology and behavior:
-Not quite as big as most standard breeds (he's a mutt), but definitely bigger than a bantam
-Built light, but probably not underweight
-Very easily handled. Submits freely to being held on his back, content when picked up
-Enjoys flying. He likes perching in high places and is one of only 3 chickens I have had who has slept in a tree.
-Somewhat responsive to "Louie" and "Who's a good boy"
If there's anything I can do to figure out his ailment and/or help him heal, I would like to hear soon. I currently have him confined in a rabbit hutch with food and water and a hay bed he doesn't show much interest in sleeping on. Please reply if you have and advice on how I can help him, as I lack access to a veterinarian.
Things that have been mostly ruled out:
-Fracture from ankle and below. There is no sign of any broken bones on his calf or the portion of his leg not covered in feathers.
-Paralysis in left leg. He can move it when he wants to and pull it up to stand like a flamingo, and my flock has no history of Marek's disease.
-Foot wound. His foot was the first thing I checked. No sign of a wound.
Possible possibilities. I don't know how to recognize these, nor do I know how common they are in less-than-one-year-old roosters who haven't been doing any particularly strenuous activities:
-Hip or thigh fracture
-Sprain
-Strained muscle
-Ligament damage
-Dark magic
If you know how to recognize symptoms to any of those, how I can tell, what I can do, and the recovery rate, I would greatly like to know. If it would help, here are a few things about his physiology and behavior:
-Not quite as big as most standard breeds (he's a mutt), but definitely bigger than a bantam
-Built light, but probably not underweight
-Very easily handled. Submits freely to being held on his back, content when picked up
-Enjoys flying. He likes perching in high places and is one of only 3 chickens I have had who has slept in a tree.
-Somewhat responsive to "Louie" and "Who's a good boy"
If there's anything I can do to figure out his ailment and/or help him heal, I would like to hear soon. I currently have him confined in a rabbit hutch with food and water and a hay bed he doesn't show much interest in sleeping on. Please reply if you have and advice on how I can help him, as I lack access to a veterinarian.
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