Dizzy Roo

[homer]

Our roo, Hank, has started acting dizzy and having trouble keeping his balance. This week he can't get on the roost at night and I think he stands all night. He eats and wants out during the day but can't scatch or his loses his balance. Hank is only about 3 years old and has been very healthy until now. He hasn't crowed in several weeks nor is he bothering our 2 hens. We would appreciate anyone that might have an idea what's wrong and what we should do for him.

 

[cw]

is he the only one in the flock showing this behavior?
if so check his vent,
if not make sure he has freash water(wash out the bowl fresh water if he drinks)
keep us posted as he could go down hill quick

 

[homer]

Yes, we only have Hank and 2 girls. They seem fine. He gets fresh water daily and this week we put "Vitamins and Electrolytes Plus in the water. We've had unusal rain this fall in Alabama and while they have a dry pen, I wonder about the dampness with inactivity for several days at the time. They love free ranging in the back yard and taking dust baths but there's not been too much of that in recent weeks. We've raised him from a little peep and sure hate to lose him.

Our first roo was a game rooster that just showed up and never left. He was like a pet dog and loved being with people. Something bit his and the 3 other girls heads off in the night. It didn't get in the pen but they got scare and stuck their necks out and we found them when the dog barked. Hank is only our second roo. He's been so hardy, it's hard to not know what to do for him. A vet told my husband that he might have a sinus fungus that there is no cure from but of couse he's not sure. Thanks for your post. We welcome more.

 

[tulie13]

If he got hold of some food that had started growing mold on it or rotting, that might be causing this. How is his crop? Does it empty at night? He may have a fungal infection in his crop due to a piece of moldy food.

If his crop is squishy/gassy at all, I would try to get some Apple Cider Vinegar down him immediately - that will shift the pH of his crop so the fungus will die. Not sure about what to do if it's in his nostrils, but shifting his gut pH might spill over a little into his sinus mucosa pH and help if there is a fungus there.