Our 2 year old Partridge Chantecler rooster, initially began behaving as though he were off balance and did not want to walk. His appetite remained good, as well as his sense of thirst. Because I'd heard him sneezing a few times before he started exhibiting these symptoms, I thought maybe he had some sort of respiratory infection that was causing him to be off balance. We got some Tylan injectible and began giving that to him 3 nights ago. We put him in a dog cage with his own ACV/water, food & grit, and some other goodies to get more vitamins into him - peas, watermelon, greens, strawberries, peaches, yogurt, etc.
Yesterday when we got home from work, we thought he was on his way out. He was sprawled out on his side with his head constantly twisting upward. I thought he was seizing and was about to die. Never has he seemed as though he were in pain. His poops were even what would seem to me to be normal poops for him, ie: same colour they always had been, firm, white cap, etc. I called the local emerg vet, who was not really of much help at all and admitted she didn't know much about poultry. After a little bit, he stopped doing that and was alert and would drink and eat, although we have placed all these things right in front of him because his ability to get around is not very good at all.
He was about the same today - alert and responsive and had an appetite, etc. I've been holding him up so that his feet are still on the floor and slowly raising and lowering him to see if he *can* use his legs. He can, but for some reason seems unable, or does not want, to walk.
We just went outside a few minutes ago to find him doing the same sort of thing, constantly twisting his head toward the ceiling, laying down, and gently flupping his wings.
We haven't introduced anyone new to the flock (save the ducklings, who were laid & hatched by birds we already had in the flock), they have no contact with outside livestock, and they are generally in their coop/pen or are having a supervised free-range session. If he has some sort of disease, I'm really at a loss as to where it would have come from.
Is it possible that he is really just dizzy/experiencing vertigo from some sort of respiratory disease/infection and it just hasn't gotten under control yet with the Tylan, or does it sound like something else to any of you? I would be very grateful for any thoughts or advice. We get eggs from our ducks, but our birds are basically like pets to us. If there's any way to nurse him through this, and reassure myself and my husband that he is not suffering, but is just dizzy, we'll do it. I've had vertigo myself before, and certainly wouldn't have wished to be put down for it! We just don't want him suffering needlessly if what is wrong with him is obviously something else that will prove to be fatal in the end.
Thank you...
Yesterday when we got home from work, we thought he was on his way out. He was sprawled out on his side with his head constantly twisting upward. I thought he was seizing and was about to die. Never has he seemed as though he were in pain. His poops were even what would seem to me to be normal poops for him, ie: same colour they always had been, firm, white cap, etc. I called the local emerg vet, who was not really of much help at all and admitted she didn't know much about poultry. After a little bit, he stopped doing that and was alert and would drink and eat, although we have placed all these things right in front of him because his ability to get around is not very good at all.
He was about the same today - alert and responsive and had an appetite, etc. I've been holding him up so that his feet are still on the floor and slowly raising and lowering him to see if he *can* use his legs. He can, but for some reason seems unable, or does not want, to walk.
We just went outside a few minutes ago to find him doing the same sort of thing, constantly twisting his head toward the ceiling, laying down, and gently flupping his wings.
We haven't introduced anyone new to the flock (save the ducklings, who were laid & hatched by birds we already had in the flock), they have no contact with outside livestock, and they are generally in their coop/pen or are having a supervised free-range session. If he has some sort of disease, I'm really at a loss as to where it would have come from.
Is it possible that he is really just dizzy/experiencing vertigo from some sort of respiratory disease/infection and it just hasn't gotten under control yet with the Tylan, or does it sound like something else to any of you? I would be very grateful for any thoughts or advice. We get eggs from our ducks, but our birds are basically like pets to us. If there's any way to nurse him through this, and reassure myself and my husband that he is not suffering, but is just dizzy, we'll do it. I've had vertigo myself before, and certainly wouldn't have wished to be put down for it! We just don't want him suffering needlessly if what is wrong with him is obviously something else that will prove to be fatal in the end.

Thank you...
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