astralorp rooster paralyzed?

[pygostyler]

My big beautiful healthy rooster suddenly will not stand. He is "dragging his butt" which actually is only the impression he gives, he is quite active, eating and moving around but cannot stand. I am guessing somehow either he is suffering from a paralysis caused by a stroke, or somehow both his hips have been dislocated. Anyone ever see this? He is about 8 months old and otherwise looks just fine. Been this way about 3 weeks. Is there some genetic predisposition I might identify? How can this be corrected, other than having soup??

 

[Wyandottes7]

Do you know if he was vaccinated for Marek's Disease? And, how suddenly did this come on? Marek's Disease is common in birds around 4-10 months old, and can cause paralysis.

 

[pygostyler]

Thanks, no, I hatched him myself in an incubator, from a reputable breeder. But of all the videos I have seen of Marek's disease, and from what I understand of the symptoms, he doesn't have this. He is in seriously good health and humor, and his feet are quite normal in their aspect and movement. It is like someone who is walking on their knees. There is no abnormal "flopping" in his movements at all, he just can't stand up. Of course he can't get up to the roost and doesn't mount the hens, but otherwise no change and he crows normally as well. This was quite a sudden and complete change, he went to bed fine and the next day he was like this. I suspect he has dislocated his hip joints, and there isn't a vet who specializes in poultry near us. But...maybe I should take him in anyway. They are going to laugh at me (farming community)...but oh well!