Inga73

Chirping
Dec 28, 2020
33
49
81
It was hard to take a photo of it, but this little guy's feet have always looked a bit weird to me. He was doing fine up until this week, when he started walking funny with his wings out touching the ground sometimes to balance. We noticed a small cut on one of his toes too, possibly from another toe scratching it. Any thoughts on what the issue is? He is still eating and drinking fine, and seems otherwise healthy.

Thanks!
 

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I don’t see anything obviously wrong with his feet. How old is he? Has he been eating and drinking well, or could he be dehydrated or kept from getting his fill of water and food? What are his poops looking like? Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? It sounds like he is using his wings to help him balance and walk. I would observe him to make sure that he is drinking well, and see if one leg seems to giving him problems. Mareks disease can start out this way, but he also could be weak from another issue.
 
I don’t see anything obviously wrong with his feet. How old is he? Has he been eating and drinking well, or could he be dehydrated or kept from getting his fill of water and food? What are his poops looking like? Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? It sounds like he is using his wings to help him balance and walk. I would observe him to make sure that he is drinking well, and see if one leg seems to giving him problems. Mareks disease can start out this way, but he also could be weak from another issue.
He's about 3 months old. It's weird that he showed no signs of issues while walking up until recently. He has a great appetite and is drinking well, he seems fine other than the issues walking. I keep finding him in corners of the coop, face-first with his head as far in the corner as he can. The others have noticed his vulnerability and started picking on him, so I've isolated him for now. I'll monitor and see if I can figure this one out! Have to look into the Marek's too.
Thanks for the advice!
 
Mareks disease may cause imbalance and weakness in one or both legs, drooping wings, and sometimes other signs. Dehydration or eating molded feed or something toxic can look similar. Get him well hydrated and watch him to see if he is better. Here is some good information about Mareks disease:
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/vdl-mareks-disease-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/
Thank you!
 

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