Docile Cockerel Concern

[EggPlant Mama]

Hi - I have a 21 week old cochin cockerel I removed him from the flock a little over a week ago because something was going on with his feet, (still not certain what). My flock consists of the cockerel (Luna Roo), and 2 hens (Bobí & Clumsí).
Luna Roo was EXTRA docile, limping, unable to get in the coop or on the perch and the hens wouldn't stop pecking at the sores around his feathers on his feet.
I created an area in my dining to keep him until he while he was being treated.

He's better, not 100% better, but no open sores, just a little unsteady on his feet. I figured it was time for him to join the girls. I put him in the run early yesterday, everybody seemed to get along fine, but he was still very, very docile and didn't go in the coop, I was worried he was not quite well enough, so I brought him inside.
I'm not sure if this is the right decision or if maybe there's something else going on and I should consider a trip to the vet?? He is definitely not himself and I don't know if this is what I should expect. I am 21 weeks new to raising chickens.
Thanks for any feedback.

 

[aart]

So the limping just started a week ago?
No fights or predator attacks or anything that might have hurt his legs?
No other visible issues other than the pecked feet/leg feathers?
Is he eating/drinking/pooping OK?
Pis of his legs and feet might help.
And some video of him walking.
Vids need to be uploaded to youtube, or similar platform, then linked here.

Oh wait, I should have looked first......same bird here I assume?:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-cochin-cockerel-limping-abscess.1397632/

 

[EggPlant Mama]

So the limping just started a week ago?
No fights or predator attacks or anything that might have hurt his legs?
No other visible issues other than the pecked feet/leg feathers?
Is he eating/drinking/pooping OK?
Pis of his legs and feet might help.
And some video of him walking.
Vids need to be uploaded to youtube, or similar platform, then linked here.

Oh wait, I should have looked first......same bird here I assume?:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-cochin-cockerel-limping-abscess.1397632/

Yes, same bird. Sorry, I should have realized the details surrounding the situation are important.
I've treated for mites, which included completely disinfecting the coop, roosting poles, hen boxes, and burning the old bedding. I took EVERYTHING out of the run and disinfected then treated for mites. I also treated all three chickens for the mites.
I am wondering if he may also have an issue like the feather follicle cysts?
Here is a picture of his feet this morning:

Here is the link to the YouTube of the video I just took of him walking.

 

[EggPlant Mama]

Also, He is eating and drinking without prompting.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your cockerel. Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? Could he have benn hurt by another chicken?

 

[EggPlant Mama]

Sorry about your cockerel. Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? Could he have benn hurt by another chicken?

OH MY, I am really praying that I have not just learned a very hard lesson. I honestly assumed that because I purchased them from Rural King, that they automatically vaccinated their chicks, "assumed" being the operative word.
Please go easy on me, I know my response may indicate I am an irresponsible chicken owner, but I am very, very attentive; I'm constantly reading and learning about best practices. I spend time with my chickens or doing things for them, more than I do my family.
Anyway, after you asked about Marek's disease, I read about it and then called Rural King, only to be told that they do not vaccinate their chicks.
I don't know how I didn't know this or how imperative it is for the flock. I am truly in such turmoil about this.
Is there a way to know for certain whether or not this is in fact the condition he has? It also says this is highly contagious, if this is what he has, should I assume my hens have it too? And lastly, the hard question; did I understand what I read correctly and that there is no cure? So vaccination at this point is fruitless? Ok sorry, two hard questions.
Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh, I am sorry that he wasn’t vaccinated for Mareks. But many people prefer not to vaccinate for Mareks. So it is okay that he wasn’t. Hopefully, it is not Mareks, but that is one of the possibilities. For now, just give him the vitamins and observe him. Chickens with Mareks die from not getting enough to eat or drink, so make sure that he gets enough if he cannot get to it. Or keep him near the food and water.

A necropsy by the state vet after death is the most common way to get tested for Mareks. But a Texas lab does PCR testing on blood for Mareks if you can contact them for details:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

This is an indepth article on Mareks disease:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Kdlevesque]

OH MY, I am really praying that I have not just learned a very hard lesson. I honestly assumed that because I purchased them from Rural King, that they automatically vaccinated their chicks, "assumed" being the operative word.
Please go easy on me, I know my response may indicate I am an irresponsible chicken owner, but I am very, very attentive; I'm constantly reading and learning about best practices. I spend time with my chickens or doing things for them, more than I do my family.
Anyway, after you asked about Marek's disease, I read about it and then called Rural King, only to be told that they do not vaccinate their chicks.
I don't know how I didn't know this or how imperative it is for the flock. I am truly in such turmoil about this.
Is there a way to know for certain whether or not this is in fact the condition he has? It also says this is highly contagious, if this is what he has, should I assume my hens have it too? And lastly, the hard question; did I understand what I read correctly and that there is no cure? So vaccination at this point is fruitless? Ok sorry, two hard questions.
Thank you.

Don’t be so hard on yourself! It’s a mistake that any of us could’ve made. He seems so sweet and the care that you’re taking of him is awesome so even if it does end up to be something like Mareks just know that you did what you thought was right. I don’t think that @Eggcessive was being judgemental at all but instead trying to rule out some things. You’ll find that this website and all the people on it only want the best for you and your chickens.

 

[EggPlant Mama]

Don’t be so hard on yourself! It’s a mistake that any of us could’ve made. He seems so sweet and the care that you’re taking of him is awesome so even if it does end up to be something like Mareks just know that you did what you thought was right. I don’t think that @Eggcessive was being judgemental at all but instead trying to rule out some things. You’ll find that this website and all the people on it only want the best for you and your chickens.

I definitely don't think https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/85053/ was being judgmental. I hope my response doesn't make anyone think I feel that way.
I was being judgmental of myself and feeling irresponsible for not knowing, so I was just asking for gentleness on my ignorance.
But I do agree 100%, everyone on here has been welcoming and helpful with anything I've asked about or posted. I am oh so grateful for everyone, I just feel awful that my Luna Roo may be the one who pays the price.
Thank you both for the information, I will do my research.

 

[Kdlevesque]

I definitely don't think https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/85053/ was being judgmental. I hope my response doesn't make anyone think I feel that way.
I was being judgmental of myself and feeling irresponsible for not knowing, so I was just asking for gentleness on my ignorance.
But I do agree 100%, everyone on here has been welcoming and helpful with anything I've asked about or posted. I am oh so grateful for everyone, I just feel awful that my Luna Roo may be the one who pays the price.
Thank you both for the information, I will do my research.

Maybe I should’ve phrased it differently
I had problems with one of my chickens last year and a crop issue which ended up being cancer. I even ended up making her a bra but we had to put her down anyway. Several members helped me out so much...
@Eggcessive , @Wyorp Rock and @azygous

The advice here is better than anything else you’ll ever find.