Bantam Rooster Acting funny

[DevanElaine]

Hello!

I have a flock of 10 chickens and this morning my little bantam rooster wouldn’t get up. He doesn’t look sick but won’t walk at all and is barely eating. I quarantined him in a temp cage with fresh water and food (which he hasn’t touched) just in case it is a contagious disease so he doesn’t spread it to the rest. I examined him and there is absolutely nothing else physically the matter with him. Is there anything else that I can do or should I just keep an eye on him and wait it out? Any advice would be helpful, thanks in advance!

 

[nebulathechicken]

I'm not super experienced, but I will have a more experienced member help you! Welcome to BYC!! I hope you figure something out! @HuskerHens18

 

[HuskerHens18]

Hello!

I have a flock of 10 chickens and this morning my little bantam rooster wouldn’t get up. He doesn’t look sick but won’t walk at all and is barely eating. I quarantined him in a temp cage with fresh water and food (which he hasn’t touched) just in case it is a contagious disease so he doesn’t spread it to the rest. I examined him and there is absolutely nothing else physically the matter with him. Is there anything else that I can do or should I just keep an eye on him and wait it out? Any advice would be helpful, thanks in advance!

Welcome to BYC!
Does his crop feel full or empty?
Do the feathers on his feet look damaged? What about his toenails? It could be something as simple at discomfort, or it could be other things.
Does he feel any thinner than your other chickens? Is his breastbone sharp and prominent?
For right now I would keep him quarantined until we have a better idea on what is bothering him.

 

[DevanElaine]

His crop feels empty, his feathers look clean and he is overall very healthy looking. He ate some lettuce but other than that hasn’t touched his food.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you added any new chickens to your flock in recent months? Do you know if he was vaccinated for Mareks disease? Can you start him on some poultry vitamins in his water, or give him some vitamins orally? Can he reach food and water? Offer chopped eggs, wet chicken feed, and have fresh water and dry feed available. How do his poops look? You may want to look into chicken slings to get him upright and place food and water in front of him.

 

[HuskerHens18]

His crop feels empty, his feathers look clean and he is overall very healthy looking. He ate some lettuce but other than that hasn’t touched his food.

Will he eat other treats? What about an egg if you crack it open?

 

[DevanElaine]

I actually did give him some egg this morning which he devoured but he still isn’t up walking around. Also gave him some water via a syringe... thanks everyone for your help already though, I hate feeling helpless for the poor thing!

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good link for pictures of homemade chicken slings (see post 4)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chick-with-injured-leg.1077153/

 

[Celeste Cannon]

Check the bottom of his feet, some chickens can get bumble foot and it causes them a lot of pain in their feet. When chickens have it they don't want to walk because it hurts too much. Chickens get it from scratches or cuts that get infected. If he has it, you should go see a vet to fix it. It looks like a lump on the foot or a black dot in the center of the foot, heres some pictures to help you: