Bantam rooster laying on its back, legs & toes curled

[JanetLM]

I have a bantam rooster I got when he was 2 days old...he is now 15wks old. In the last couple of weeks he has stopped roosting and will just sleep on the pooping board under the hens. And I have noticed he seems a little wobbly like off balance some & he will let his right wing drag. Just a few mins ago I found him on his back, legs & toes curled, head twisted around- I thought he was dead. All the hens were standing around looking at him. I went to pick him up & he started moving and then walking un-steady with his wings hanging. This is the 2nd time I have found him this way the last time was last weekend. He eats and drinks good, Poops fine.

Any thoughts or advise would be appreciated.

He has never been around any other chickens except my little flock. All the hens have no symptons.

 

[welasharon]

Look up mareks symptoms.

 

[JanetLM]

I have read on this and yes it does seem this is what it might be. Is there any reason at this point to cull him? Based on what I have read all my hens have already been exposed and it seems like maybe they will get it or maybe they won't. I have the chickens for eggs and was not planning on doing any hatching.

At this point, he can still get around the biggest part of the time and only seems to have the episodes just every once in a while. And it mainly seems to be his wings. But when you put him up he can move both wings and legs but put him back down and he seems not to be able too. Its just very odd.

 

[welasharon]

You can try treating with liquid baby vitamins without iron and crush B complex tablets into his food. It may or may not help....but at least you are doing something..you know? I only cull them when they are no longer able to eat or drink. There are a couple good mareks threads on here if you want to read through them. THey are helpful.