Rooster losing balance? Staring at the wall?! Concerned!

[FluffySilkie]

My Silkie rooster has been walking ok but randomly he starts scuffling like shift/walking to the side for no reason. He is also staring at the wall for no reason, he just stays there watching the wall/outdoor couch side.

 

[coach723]

How old is he? What do droppings look like? What does his crop feel like?
I would give him 1/2 a B complex tablet or capsule daily (human ones), and 400iu of vitamin E with a bit cooked egg for selenium, that will cover vitamin deficiencies as a cause, see if you get any improvement. Silkies are more prone to head injuries due to their vaulted skulls which can cause neurological symptoms. Silkies are also susceptible to Marek's disease.

 

[FluffySilkie]

How old is he? What do droppings look like? What does his crop feel like?
I would give him 1/2 a B complex tablet or capsule daily (human ones), and 400iu of vitamin E with a bit cooked egg for selenium, that will cover vitamin deficiencies as a cause, see if you get any improvement. Silkies are more prone to head injuries due to their vaulted skulls which can cause neurological symptoms. Silkies are also susceptible to Marek's disease.

He is almost 7 months, he hit his head on a glass door yesterday but I saw this behavior in him for about a week or so...

If I give it to him... Will the tablet hurt him in any way?

 

[coach723]

Vitamin B complex is very safe, any extra will be excreted, no risk of over dosing. The E can cause problems if given for too long, but I would give it for a week and then see how he's doing. If it's a form of wry neck, then the E is necessary for that. There is another issue with silkies often called 'water on the brain' for which an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory meds are prescribed by a vet.
Just to cover all the bases, can he see well? Some have so many feathers from beards and crests that they have impaired vision. In that case a trim might help.
https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2020/01/health-problems-raising-silkie-chickens.html
https://poultrykeeper.com/blog/diseases-common-to-silkies/

 

[FluffySilkie]

Vitamin B complex is very safe, any extra will be excreted, no risk of over dosing. The E can cause problems if given for too long, but I would give it for a week and then see how he's doing. If it's a form of wry neck, then the E is necessary for that. There is another issue with silkies often called 'water on the brain' for which an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory meds are prescribed by a vet.
Just to cover all the bases, can he see well? Some have so many feathers from beards and crests that they have impaired vision. In that case a trim might help.
https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2020/01/health-problems-raising-silkie-chickens.html
https://poultrykeeper.com/blog/diseases-common-to-silkies/

Ok, thank you! I will try to get him some ASAP as for his vision he seems to see fine after I wet/cut his crest & beard.

 

[FluffySilkie]

Vitamin B complex is very safe, any extra will be excreted, no risk of over dosing. The E can cause problems if given for too long, but I would give it for a week and then see how he's doing. If it's a form of wry neck, then the E is necessary for that. There is another issue with silkies often called 'water on the brain' for which an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory meds are prescribed by a vet.
Just to cover all the bases, can he see well? Some have so many feathers from beards and crests that they have impaired vision. In that case a trim might help.
https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2020/01/health-problems-raising-silkie-chickens.html
https://poultrykeeper.com/blog/diseases-common-to-silkies/

How would I know if water on the brain is at a serious stage?

 

[coach723]

If vet care is an option you could have him seen by an avian vet. Otherwise I would do the vitamins and see if you get improvement. If he does not improve, or he gets worse, then another cause other than deficiency would need to be considered. Sadly, often a definite cause is not known until a bird is necropsied. Without vet care, and sometimes with, you try the things readily available first. Many don't have access to a good avian vet, many cannot or choose not to make that kind of financial investment.

 

[FluffySilkie]

If vet care is an option you could have him seen by an avian vet. Otherwise I would do the vitamins and see if you get improvement. If he does not improve, or he gets worse, then another cause other than deficiency would need to be considered. Sadly, often a definite cause is not known until a bird is necropsied. Without vet care, and sometimes with, you try the things readily available first. Many don't have access to a good avian vet, many cannot or choose not to make that kind of financial investment.

Ok... I’ll see when I can go to a vet