Concussion

[FluffyButtBabies]

So I've posted two threads about my Polish Rooster, Goose, in order to get to the bottom of his issues. Once more, a rundown is: sudden issues in balance, strange placid behavior, stopped crowing, but he's physically fine and eat/drink/poops normally. He seems healthy other than his sudden onset of behavioral and balance issues. Of course, at first I suspected Marek's or some sort of illness, but after a week of this and constant exams I've given him, I decided that that wasn't the cause. I'm almost positive that he has a concussion, which isn't all that uncommon in Polish breeds due to their vaulted skull. In addition, I've actually seen his run into various objects before (even after clipping his face). He might actually have a minor visual impairment based on his slow reactions when I flick my fingers by his eyes, but it's not too severe. Based on the fact that he's gradually been returning to his normal behavior, I think he should survive, and generally sick chickens get worse instead of better. But I've never dealt with a chicken concussion before, and I'm not quite sure what I can do to help him. How can I allow his trauma to heal faster? And is it possible he might retain some damage for the remainder of his life?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So I've posted two threads about my Polish Rooster, Goose, in order to get to the bottom of his issues. Once more, a rundown is: sudden issues in balance, strange placid behavior, stopped crowing, but he's physically fine and eat/drink/poops normally. He seems healthy other than his sudden onset of behavioral and balance issues. Of course, at first I suspected Marek's or some sort of illness, but after a week of this and constant exams I've given him, I decided that that wasn't the cause. I'm almost positive that he has a concussion, which isn't all that uncommon in Polish breeds due to their vaulted skull. In addition, I've actually seen his run into various objects before (even after clipping his face). He might actually have a minor visual impairment based on his slow reactions when I flick my fingers by his eyes, but it's not too severe. Based on the fact that he's gradually been returning to his normal behavior, I think he should survive, and generally sick chickens get worse instead of better. But I've never dealt with a chicken concussion before, and I'm not quite sure what I can do to help him. How can I allow his trauma to heal faster? And is it possible he might retain some damage for the remainder of his life?

It could be Marek's or possibly a head injury - it would be hard to know.
Supportive care for either would really be the same. See that he's eating/drinking, not getting picked on and provide some vitamin therapy to see if that makes a difference.

I would give him 400IU Vitamin E and 1/2 tablet B-Complex daily, give him a treat of egg too.

No one can say whether he would retain damage(?) for the rest of his life - it's just a guess/speculation as to what is wrong with him. All you can do is provide him with care and see what happens.

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

Ok, thank you! I still think it's less likely that he has Marek's however, because there's almost no way he could have caught it. I have a closed flock of 7 birds, I clean the coop weekly, and they haven't been exposed to any other birds (not even wild ones, as they stay in the tractor during the day). Also, wouldn't my hens be showing problems too?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok, thank you! I still think it's less likely that he has Marek's however, because there's almost no way he could have caught it. I have a closed flock of 7 birds, I clean the coop weekly, and they haven't been exposed to any other birds (not even wild ones, as they stay in the tractor during the day). Also, wouldn't my hens be showing problems too?

Marek's is fairly widespread, so there's always a possibility.
You can have Marek's in a flock and only one bird every become symptomatic. A frustrating and confusing disease for sure.

Even if it's Marek's, all you can do is try to treat symptoms as they arise - there's no cure, but vitamin therapy can sometimes help.
Same as with injury (concussion?) supportive care and time is about all you can do.

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

OK, good to know.