9 month old rooster limping!

[AliBia]

No bumble foot nor any signs of injury or inflammation, but Basma is hobbling, though active, he is clearly not himself. When roosting, he's irritable and doesn't let hens perch on the same roosting bar. While free ranging, he's chasing all the younger ones in the flock too, again not his usual caring self. What could be possibly going on? Wish my babies could talk.
And thoughts?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi!

Sorry about Basma. He's gorgeous!

He might have strained/sprained it on something or got it caught in something, and it left no visible marks yet is hurting him.

I would try giving him the human version of B-Complex. He'd get about 1/3 to 1/2 of a pill or half of an eyedropper of the liquid.

It's also possible he's suffering from a vitamin deficiency for which the B would help too.

Could you put him in a small cage for a couple of days to get him to stay off his leg? That might help heal it if it is indeed hurting him.

His rambunctious activity chasing chicks is probably his hormones kicking in but I'd think he'd be getting over that soon. Ours start that at about 5 months old.

 

[dawg53]

Most likely your rooster has sprained or strained a ligament or tendon in one of his legs.
These types of injuries take a long time to heal, especially with roosters. It's due to the fact that roosters are more active running around keeping an eye on their hens, as well as mating, dirt baths etc...
Confining him in a cage with food and water is best, it prevents his ability from jumping down, further injuring his leg(s).
Eliminate places where he can jump down and reinjure his leg such as high roosts inside the coop (lowering roosts is best), lawn chairs, tables, and other items in your yard etc...
Here's a link for you to read with more details, see post #4:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/limping-chicken.1243650/#post-24486669

 

[AliBia]

Most likely your rooster has sprained or strained a ligament or tendon in one of his legs.
These types of injuries take a long time to heal, especially with roosters. It's due to the fact that roosters are more active running around keeping an eye on their hens, as well as mating, dirt baths etc...
Confining him in a cage with food and water is best, it prevents his ability from jumping down, further injuring his leg(s).
Eliminate places where he can jump down and reinjure his leg such as high roosts inside the coop (lowering roosts is best), lawn chairs, tables, and other items in your yard etc...
Here's a link for you to read with more details, see post #4:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/limping-chicken.1243650/#post-24486669

Thanks for getting back to me.
He isn't aggressive, he's just getting irritable and irritated by his limp more than anything. Usually, he's the best 'text-book' rooster ever. Forever darting around and keeping an eye out for everyone's safety. His patience lately is wearing off with this limp, and it makes sense.

The bedding is deep litter soft hay and roosts aren't very high either. The back yard has different levels though.
I hope Vit B supplementation will help with a faster recovery. He'd be so unhappy caged, but I'm sure he'd benefit from it.

Thanks for the link you've shared.

 

[AliBia]

Hi!

Sorry about Basma. He's gorgeous!

He might have strained/sprained it on something or got it caught in something, and it left no visible marks yet is hurting him.

I would try giving him the human version of B-Complex. He'd get about 1/3 to 1/2 of a pill or half of an eyedropper of the liquid.

It's also possible he's suffering from a vitamin deficiency for which the B would help too.

Could you put him in a small cage for a couple of days to get him to stay off his leg? That might help heal it if it is indeed hurting him.

His rambunctious activity chasing chicks is probably his hormones kicking in but I'd think he'd be getting over that soon. Ours start that at about 5 months old.

Thanks for your message Debbie

I will definitely act on the Vit B suggestion. It's autumn getting into winter, and their usual vitamin-rich supplies in the freerun are almost gone. My chooks do get their vitamins through their fruit and vegetable treats, but Basma is the young man keeping 14 hens happy, he does need special attention at a time like this. Most likely it's a strained muscle. I was thinking of soaking him up to his hocks in epsom bath, which ought to help with inflammation - no?

His hormones kicked in around 5 months of age. He's a very gentle and frisky soul. Generally he is an exemplar of best rooster traits ever, just that recently, owing to his discomfort, he's demonstrated a short temper... irritable because of that I hope.

Basma won't be very pleased about being confined, but it's probably best for him. The leg will get some much-needed rest.

Thanks again for your supplement suggestion. I'm sure it'll do a world of good.