Sick Cochin Rooster

Hello everyone. I'm new here and I was really hoping someone out there could help me. I have an 11 month old Cochin Rooster named Beaker, who, since March 1st has been falling and leaning to one side, but still eating, drinking and doing his normal Rooster duties. Took him in to been seen by my vet, and was given a shot of antibiotics, oral antibiotics and Metacam for 5 days. Seemed much better! Then 2 weeks later- same thing. Took him back, another shot, stronger oral antibiotics and he seemed much better again. Week or so later, Same thing! Unsteady, leaning to one side. No visible injuries! Took him in for another visit. Another shot of antibiotics, and sent home. Stool sample showed nothing. Was doing great for a few days. Now it's happening again! And he is being very aggressive with the hens now too. I feed them Purina Organic layer pellets and crumble with a handful of black oil sunflower seeds thrown in. Acv in their drinker every day. I clean their coop and drinkers once a day. They have a huge outdoor enclosure and they free range for an hour or more daily. No one else is ill. The temperature here has been fluctuating from warm to very cold for the last 2 months, but like I said, everyone else is fine. Please help if you can. These guys are my babies and it's making me crazy he isn't well

Have you looked into mareks? There are plenty of threads in the learning center about it. Hope your roo feels better

I have and unfortunately, I have considered this. I know some birds never show symptoms and some do. That would explain no one else showings signs of illness as of yet. And I have read symptoms can take as long as 20 weeks or so to present. However, with the drastic improvement after each round of antibiotics, it gives me hope. My vet (who does work on chickens and ducks, but not an avaian doctor) thinks that it could be a stubborn ear infection? But honestly, I feel he doesn't really know. I also know there is no cure for Mereks and I'm hoping that's not it. I tried separating him, but he refused to eat or drink and so did the rest of the flock. They all do better together. They are very close and become highly depressed and agitated when separated. And at this point they have all been exposed if it is Mereks. They are a close knit little group!

Well, the ear does affect their balance. Could be some truth in that. Don't lose hope yet!
Sorry I have no idea what to do about it, though. I'll do some research.

From what I've read, ear infections have mites or some other obvious signs. I'll post a website that I found, it tells you where some avian vets in your area are.

Thanks so much!