5 year old Rooster weak on legs possible mites?

[Casper417]

Hi everyone,
I have a 5 year old silkie rooster he's been acting not quite himself for about a week, i searched him for mites but can't seem to see anything. We've had mites in the past that affected the chickens in the same way so i have been treating him with dust and xeno450 spot on. (The xeno has worked well in the past). I added some garlic extract (for pigeons) to the water as this usually helps to get rid of them.
But as he seems to be getting weaker ive brought some battles poultry drink to help if he's got anemia. Ive also given him abit of grated carrot for extra iron and vitamins.
He not over grooming and scratching. Ive looked over him but i cant seem to see any mites (in the past i could see the mites moving).
He is eating and drinking but i would say he feels lighter than usual. His poo is normal and can't see worms or anything in it.
Could it be a different mite or could there be another problem?
Is there anthing else i can give him to try and get him stronger again.

Many Thanks.
Gemma.

 

[AquaDuck]

Red mites won't be on his body during the day, they hide in the roosts and house and come out at night to feed on their blood. Washing the coop down with something like Barrier Red Mite is a place to start. It'll also get rid of any other critters that might recite there.

 

[Casper417]

Pleased to say my silkie rooster is alot better i would say he had anemia from red mites. I will list all the treatments i've used to help him get better for future reference......

• Battles Poultry Drink
• Battles Poultry Spice
• Red Mite Powder
• Nettex Total Mite Kill (to treat the coop)
• Xeno 450 Spot on
• Worming Pallets
• Scrambled Egg
• Grated Carrot (For extra Iron)
• Cat Meat
• Porridge
• Apple Cidre Vinegar
• Chopped Garlic
• Dried Oregano (natural antibiotic)

It's quite a big list but it worked.
Dont give all the treatments in one go. I mixed some of them together for example: porridge with dried oregano or scrambled egg with woming pallets and poultry spice.

I hope this helps for similar cases. Please post a reply or message me if you have any questions about them in the future.

Thank you for all your help.

 

[Shadrach]

What breed of rooster is he?
Where did you get him?
What do you normally feed him?
It's possible that if he does have mites that Ivermectin is no longer effective. Permethrin is still reputed to be effective for mites.
Can you get a fecal float done?

 

[Casper417]

Ive checked in his mouth it all looked normal. He's eating and drinking well so if it was canker would it be more developed by now and stopping him from eating much?
Im wondering if he's had mites thats caused anemia and hes slowly recovering. He had one clove of chopped garlic yesterday as thats supposd to stop the mites biting. I brought some dust powder specifically for red mites and put it on him before dusk. (Ive always been told to dust the chickens in the morning so when they sleep with their beak in the feathers they wont breathe it in. But now im reading that it's best to dust them for red mites at night as the mites are waking up. Is this right? )
Im going out to get some apple cidre vingar today as ive used that in the past and seemed to help also thinking of getting oregano i've heard thats a natural antibiotic.
I think im giving him just about everything i can think of now. I suppose theres no quick fix it's just a waiting game and hope to see an improvement soon. I'm just lucky i've caught him early while he's still interested in eating and drinking.
Thank you everyone for all the help and suggestions. I will keep updating as to how he is.

 

[chicknmania]

Be careful giving him too much garlic. It can be toxic to chickens. I do give it ours once in a while...twice a year or so..as I do think it helps with lice. But I only chop up like half a garlic clove and add it to a gallon of drinking water, and only for a week at a time. I'm not sure what the correct dose would be, or how much is too much.

 

[AmyJane725]

So glad your boy is getting well again

 

[Casper417]

He's a silkie. I hatched him out. They are fed mixed corn and also have treats like cooked rice/pasta. Canned cat meat. Carrot.

Ive treated the pen with "nettex total mite kill" ive got another spray i could try too. But how do i get the chickens health back quick? Is there any extra foods i can give him to help.

 

[chicknmania]

When was the last time you dewormed him? He has worms almost guaranteed. Deworm him now with a broad spectrum dewormer and dont delay because he could die. You cant see most types of worms and definitely you cant see capillary worms. Get a fecal check at the vet if you want but whether you do that or not deworm with a broad spectrum dewormer like safeguard. Do the whole flock too whether they act sick or not. Worms kill. Hurry! Good luck

 

[Casper417]

Thank you i will try that. Have you got any suggestion on the best brands or names for dewormers