5.5 weeks later and cockerel still can't walk... help!

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

My post 5.5 weeks ago with helpful comments: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-cant-stand-but-kicks.1389839/#post-22816481

UPDATE: He still can't walk. He can move his legs now, and when I hold and move him "over" the floor, he has the left, right, left, right reflex. He can't put any weight or support himself on his legs. Ping has an amazing appetite and has eaten like a king! His days consist of laying on his side, eating and will occasionally aggressively flap his wings to try and stand, to now avail. It's so sad. He is so determined to walk, but can't. We are beside ourselves on what to do. We don't want him to be miserable and frankly, aren't sure if he ever walks again how the flock will take him back. If he walks, that will be an easy and very patient transfer. Poor Ping! Any suggestions? Many thanks in advance!!!

I had written originally:
I found our tiny 3 mo old rooster, Ping under our trailer on Wed, June 17. He couldn't move his legs.

Brought him in. Eating and drinking a ton. Passing lots of poo. Lot's of laundry. Seems very alert. Two days into his care, he can kick himself over with legs. He is also kicking his legs when on his back and/or being held and will even "pump" his legs. He can't put his weight on them to stand normally when we try. Instead, his feet cross, he has no strength and collapses on them. Yes, he flaps and tries to move and does a little. I even try and hold him in my hands and move him up and down quickly so he will spread and flap his wings to get the blood flowing. I can't imagine just being stuck! Makek's disease is my guess, but he's not lethargic and his eyes are fine. The feathers at the base of his tail look a little swollen (from laying down and poo?) but the rest of his skin has no bumps. We clean him and apply antibiotic ointment down there. Maybe too early in the disease process? Not sure what to do... nursing him like crazy and carry him around with us on a tray with a towel. It's heartbreaking... Thank you in advance for any advise!!!!

 

[sourland]

Have you tried putting him in a sling where his feet can just touch the ground ?

 

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

Have you tried putting him in a sling where his feet can just touch the ground ?

Yes... we call it his physical therapy! His feet sort of go off to one side or another. It seems to be easier for him to flap his wings out of, rather than starting off on his side on his towel.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your rooster, that he hasn’t regained use of his legs. There are some chicken wheelchair designs online that you can Google, some of which are homemade, and some commercially sold. I had a hen who lost her balance to stand for 5 weeks and later regained her ability to walk. She was vaccinated for Mareks. After she recovered she was wobbly, but she free ranged all over for about a year and a half until she died. Her necropsy showed cancer and a large lash egg inside her belly which I assume, was the cause of her original problem.

At his age your rooster may well have Mareks, but if you would like to get him tested, this Texas lab will test his blood for a Mareks pcr test for $20:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

 

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

Sorry about your rooster, that he hasn’t regained use of his legs. There are some chicken wheelchair designs online that you can Google, some of which are homemade, and some commercially sold. I had a hen who lost her balance to stand for 5 weeks and later regained her ability to walk. She was vaccinated for Mareks. After she recovered she was wobbly, but she free ranged all over for about a year and a half until she died. Her necropsy showed cancer and a large lash egg inside her belly which I assume, was the cause of her original problem.

At his age your rooster may well have Mareks, but if you would like to get him tested, this Texas lab will test his blood for a Mareks pcr test for $20:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

Thank you so much! I hadn't thought of looking up premade chicken wheelchairs. Who knew!? A $20 test is perfect. I know I have to get blood though... I will check into it. Thank you so very much!

 

[BigECart]

We had a hen that developed Mareks - she was our daughter’s favorite and we didn’t have the heart to put her down, especially as she seemed happy enough, even though she couldn’t use her legs. She became a house chicken for a long time - 3-6 months. She eventually regained use of her legs. Re-integrating her into the flock was difficult but we managed.

 

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

We had a hen that developed Mareks - she was our daughter’s favorite and we didn’t have the heart to put her down, especially as she seemed happy enough, even though she couldn’t use her legs. She became a house chicken for a long time - 3-6 months. She eventually regained use of her legs. Re-integrating her into the flock was difficult but we managed.

Oh my goodness... 3- 6 months?! Wow! You are amazing! Yes...this one is also my daughter's favorite so I certainly appreciate what you did. Did she follow the same path... can move her legs, has the left, right, left, right reaction if you moved her over the floor? Did you put her in a sling? On a towel? How did you manage day to day...if you don't mind!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[BigECart]

It’s been about 5 years now, so my memory is fuzzy. My husband says that we had to syringe feed her for a couple of weeks - I don’t remember that. I remember that she lived in a box under a table in our kitchen. I can’t remember how we gave her food and water - she probably had the nipple waterer we used when she was a chick. She got lots of baths, obviously.

I remember that her legs were pretty much paralyzed. I don’t remember if she could move them at all. I remember that she was still laying eggs - but I don’t remember if she stopped at all, or if she was paralyzed before she started laying.

And then one day she tried to stand up - and actually made progress. She got continuously better from there. I want to say that she was out with the flock for another 6 months - she was always the bottom of the pecking order. Sadly we lost her in our only dog attack - and of course my daughter is the one who found her. Ugh - that chicken was cursed! She was a sweetheart though. Buff Orpington.

 

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

It’s been about 5 years now, so my memory is fuzzy. My husband says that we had to syringe feed her for a couple of weeks - I don’t remember that. I remember that she lived in a box under a table in our kitchen. I can’t remember how we gave her food and water - she probably had the nipple waterer we used when she was a chick. She got lots of baths, obviously.

I remember that her legs were pretty much paralyzed. I don’t remember if she could move them at all. I remember that she was still laying eggs - but I don’t remember if she stopped at all, or if she was paralyzed before she started laying.

And then one day she tried to stand up - and actually made progress. She got continuously better from there. I want to say that she was out with the flock for another 6 months - she was always the bottom of the pecking order. Sadly we lost her in our only dog attack - and of course my daughter is the one who found her. Ugh - that chicken was cursed! She was a sweetheart though. Buff Orpington.

Awwwwww.... that is so sweet. Yes... I have been stunned at the "life lessons" our sweet chickens have given my kids. Like how ruthless raccoons can be... So interesting how that went for you all. Our little guy gives us hope on some days more than others. On nicer days we put him in a pen outside so he is at least around the others. He looks more like a chicken zoo exhibit.
Thank you so very much for sharing all of that. It's crazy sometimes what we do for our feathered friends, but they are worth it. I'll update you if and when Mr. Ping starts using his legs like he used to.