Dystonia Symptoms.

[Wyorp Rock]

That's why I guessed dystonia. One foot is closing involuntarily, balance issues when swallowing and walking. View attachment 1245671 The second photo is you seeinView attachment 1245674 g his feet in the air, sitting on his hiney while also seeing the bottom of his throat (tan) because his head went completely upside down and picked up his feet. He's stuck in this position until I flip his head back over and down. His crop has been emptying everyday until today. No lice. Layena + Grit + oyster shell as he's been in with his hens. He is of the newest chickens, from day old and he's 15 months. Had Marek's vaccination at 1 day old. Didn't eat but one bite today because his crop didn't empty last night. Sorry about the photo quality, maybe his sight won't be so sensitive tomorrow. I have a video of the head swerve but it won't post here.

Poor fella - he appears to be suffering from Wry Neck (crookneck, torticollis) which is a neurological symptom of certain diseases like Marek's, sometimes it's from vitamin/nutritional deficiency and head injury/trauma.

Is he beginning to molt? Sometimes stress from molting can bring about underlying illness and conditions. I understand he was vaccinated for Marek's, but the vaccine only prevents the formation of tumors, chickens can still succumb to infection by the virus.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

He is very pale, this is concerning. You can try vitamin therapy of Vitamin E 400IU daily, along with 1/2tablet of human B-Complex vitamins(no iron). Offer some chopped egg or tuna for Selenium.
Most likely he would benefit from eating a higher protein feed with less calcium - so a small bag of chick starter would be good.

Try to keep him hydrated, he most likely needs help with drinking eating- see video below.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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[lazy gardener]

Any mouse or rat bait stations in your yard? If so, it may be possible that the poison is being transported out of the stations and cached where your birds can get it, or perhaps he even ate a poisoned mouse.

Were his toes always curled at the distal ends?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Poor fella - he appears to be suffering from Wry Neck (crookneck, torticollis) which is a neurological symptom of certain diseases like Marek's, sometimes it's from vitamin/nutritional deficiency and head injury/trauma.

Is he beginning to molt? Sometimes stress from molting can bring about underlying illness and conditions. I understand he was vaccinated for Marek's, but the vaccine only prevents the formation of tumors, chickens can still succumb to infection by the virus.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

He is very pale, this is concerning. You can try vitamin therapy of Vitamin E 400IU daily, along with 1/2tablet of human B-Complex vitamins(no iron). Offer some chopped egg or tuna for Selenium.
Most likely he would benefit from eating a higher protein feed with less calcium - so a small bag of chick starter would be good.

Try to keep him hydrated, he most likely needs help with drinking eating- see video below.

Excellent instructional video Wyorp, and treatment plan!

 

[VictoriaThompson]

Greetings Victoria,

Have you checked his temperature? Pale comb and wattles,lameness, head tremors and fever (108-110 degrees F) may indicate Streptococcosis, according to "The Chicken Health Handbook", by Gail Demerow.

If he has a high fever, that could explain his strange body motions. However, you said his poop is fine, yellow diarrhea is another symptom that he doesn't have.

Just thinking out loud, what may be ailing your poor boy...

Hopefully someone will recognize these symptoms. But, do check for fever, as fever does affect brain function.

God Bless.

 

[VictoriaThompson]

Thank you so much. I will do that.

 

[VictoriaThompson]

Excellent instructional video Wyorp, and treatment plan!

Thank you for your reply. I'll get a video when it's daylight. We have no chicken vet in this area. He eats Layena + grit + oyster shell as he's in with his hens (except for last 24 hrs.) 1st thought was injury but ruled that out w/observation. Moves the head to & fro in a struggle to maintain balance when swallowing but he's not successful at it. Crop does empty. No new chickens. Marek's vaccination at 1 day old.

Poor fella - he appears to be suffering from Wry Neck (crookneck, torticollis) which is a neurological symptom of certain diseases like Marek's, sometimes it's from vitamin/nutritional deficiency and head injury/trauma.

Is he beginning to molt? Sometimes stress from molting can bring about underlying illness and conditions. I understand he was vaccinated for Marek's, but the vaccine only prevents the formation of tumors, chickens can still succumb to infection by the virus.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

He is very pale, this is concerning. You can try vitamin therapy of Vitamin E 400IU daily, along with 1/2tablet of human B-Complex vitamins(no iron). Offer some chopped egg or tuna for Selenium.
Most likely he would benefit from eating a higher protein feed with less calcium - so a small bag of chick starter would be good.

Try to keep him hydrated, he most likely needs help with drinking eating- see video below.

 

[VictoriaThompson]

This is really great information & direction. I can work with this. He falls asleep just like in the video. Thank you so much. Going to pick up necessary supplies now. Will keep you posted.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This is really great information & direction. I can work with this. He falls asleep just like in the video. Thank you so much. Going to pick up necessary supplies now. Will keep you posted.

Glad we could help - I hope he gets better, please do let us know how he is doing.

 

[Victoria Thompson]

My rooster died in the night. Vet says Marek's He was in with 5 hens & his brother separated from 4 other roosters by only chicken wire walls. Anyone know how long it takes Marek's to run it's course in 1 bird? & What am I facing with the other 10 in that chickenhouse? Is my other chickenhouse divided with 3 roosters & 12 hens 100 feet away in danger? Y'all have been so great getting me through this.