Alpha male leg injuries

[joyce_huang]

Two days ago, my alpha rooster's left leg became a little limp. There is no obvious injuries. It lasted for two days i thought he would recover eventually. But when I open the coop this morning to let them out, the Alpha could even barely walk. I wonder what could have made it worse? What should I do? It is a very proud rooster, very protective, although he couldn't stop a hawk attack 4 days ago which the hawk killed my favorite little white hen.. At the time of the attack,, I didn't know whether the Alpha put up a fight,, but he did look okay after that at least for the first day he walked OK. He became limp on the second day. What's going on?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Poor guy...

How is he holding his leg? And how old is he?

 

[joyce_huang]

Poor guy...

How is he holding his leg? And how old is he?

He is 8 month old. His left foot bends backward.

 

[Eggcessive]

At this age with curled under toes and a weak or paralyzed leg, balancing with wings, I would worry about Mareks disease. Of course, cockerels can be very active and prone to injuries, and fighting for top spot with other males. Do you know if he was vaccinated? Keep him very close to food and water, and I would separate him in a wire dog crate, covered on top, but he could be within view of the other chickens. Chicken slings are a device that can be made to suspend a lame chicken in front of food and water. Here is some reading about Mareks:
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/

Here are some examples of chicken slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/page-2

 

[Aunt Angus]

At this age with curled under toes and a weak or paralyzed leg, balancing with wings, I would worry about Mareks disease. Of course, cockerels can be very active and prone to injuries, and fighting for top spot with other males. Do you know if he was vaccinated? Keep him very close to food and water, and I would separate him in a wire dog crate, covered on top, but he could be within view of the other chickens. Chicken slings are a device that can be made to suspend a lame chicken in front of food and water. Here is some reading about Mareks:
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/

Here are some examples of chicken slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/page-2

That's kinda where I was headed. That leg being positioned like it is had me concerned.

 

[Eggcessive]

I always hate to say Mareks, since there can be many possible reasons for lameness, but it is a possibility here.

That's kinda where I was headed. That leg being positioned like it is had me concerned.

 

[joyce_huang]

At this age with curled under toes and a weak or paralyzed leg, balancing with wings, I would worry about Mareks disease. Of course, cockerels can be very active and prone to injuries, and fighting for top spot with other males. Do you know if he was vaccinated? Keep him very close to food and water, and I would separate him in a wire dog crate, covered on top, but he could be within view of the other chickens. Chicken slings are a device that can be made to suspend a lame chicken in front of food and water. Here is some reading about Mareks:
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/

Here are some examples of chicken slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/page-2

Thanks for those useful and sensible information. Following your links as well as other searches all over the web. I am thinking my alpha's left leg is just a injury from reason unknown to me. He has clear eyes, no gray pupil, strong appetite. Last night I applied splint on his leg and started to feed him vitamin B complex. Will see how that goes.

 

[Eggcessive]

The eye changes is only one of four types of symptoms seen in Mareks disease. Please let us know how he gets along by updating this thread.

 

[joyce_huang]

The eye changes is only one of four types of symptoms seen in Mareks disease. Please let us know how he gets along by updating this thread.

An update: after two days of vitamin B complex my alpha roo is getting better! He can get up walking a few steps now.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is good news. Is he eating a balanced feed and drinking well? Hopefully, he will keep improving. I really hope that it was just an injury or deficiency.