I have a 4 month old dark brahma/EE mix cockerel that is having issues with his left leg. I don't know his weight as my scale broke but I'd guess he's maybe 3lbs? He has grown faster and larger than his 8 hatch mates though. Idk if his fast growth would have anything to do with this though.This started two days ago. I noticed a limp but he was getting around ok. Yesterday, I noticed it was a little worse so I brought him inside and checked his legs and joints up to his hips. Nothing felt out of place or swollen along either leg but he has a lot of feathers so it was hard to tell. When I touched just under his left wing where I believe the femur meets his pelvis/hip, he winced. So whatever the problem is, that seems to be where it's coming from. When I got him out for pics, he jumped on top of his crate and although a little wobbly, he stood up there until I moved him. He would lift his leg some but he has been able weight on it and jump which makes me think it isn't a break. It clearly hurts him when picked up though and I've found that he will lean into my hand to slowly lower himself down to a comfortable position. He looks and acts fine otherwise. He is eating and drinking and enjoying being spoiled inside. I put poultry cell in his water and am feeding him dumor chick feed along with some bsf larvae and fruits and veggies as treats. I do have the supplies for a splint if needed but read that if it's done incorrectly, I could do more harm than good so I havent done that yet. I tried making a sling out of a tote and towel with holes but he jumped out of it. I'd prefer to self treat if at all possible but I do have a vet I can take him to if absolutely necessary. Any ideas as to what could be going on with this sweet little guy and how I can treat it?
I ended up taking him to the vet the next morning. She didn't feel anything swollen, broken or out of place either and suggested the possibility of mareks. She took a blood sample to send off to the lab for a pcr test and gave him rimadyl for pain. The pain meds seem to be helping and he is really enjoying being pampered and spoiled during his hospital stay inside. He loves to snuggle and tuck his beak under my "wing". Lol Test results should be back in a week or two but I was told that accuracy is iffy and false negative was possible. Whatever the diagnosis, this little roo will continue to get any care he needs until it's no longer needed or his quality of life declines to the point where we need to say our goodbyes. Here's hoping he lives a long life like our last roo that we were told most likely had mareks. He lived a long happy life and was 3.5 years old when he passed away in August.
