Edit: I posted this earlier. Since then, I've been observing him all day. I've been reading a lot about Marek's disease and I'm very worried. I had ruled out illness because there were no other symptoms and because I had seen fighting yesterday. If anyone can give any insight, I'd appreciate it. I really want to help this guy. He's an amazing cockerel.
Here is the OP:
My favourite cockerel, Atreyu, has sustained a leg injury after fighting. I've separated him and tried to assess the damage as best I can. I observed him for a while and also picked him up and tried to manually move the leg. These are the main symptoms:
I have him isolated and have given him a 75mg aspirin. My plan is to let him rest and keep him well fed and hydrated but I also know that if it's a slipped tendon I need to act quickly and I'm not sure what to do.
He's 9 months old and has been living in a bachelor coop with three other cockerels (all hatchmates and getting on ok until now). He was basically the top of the pecking order but I have been taking him out for a couple of hours every other day to breed him with my Light Sussex hen so I'm worried I might have caused this by upsetting the balance.
I did observe some fighting yesterday but it seemed to cool off on its own and everyone was ok afterwards so I didn't intervene. They have spaces to hide from each other. They must have had another fight later that evening before bed because we only went out again after dark to lock up their door.
We only noticed the problem as soon as we let them out this morning. He was on his roost when we opened the door so he had obviously managed to get up there last night somehow. He sort of limped and flapped and fell down the ramp and my husband picked him up quickly because the others started attacking him.
He was my very first hatched chick and he's the only cockerel we have named and planned to keep for a very long time. I'd really appreciate any help.
Edit to add symptoms:
I'm so worried now that it could be a paralysis and not an injury. It's evening here now. I've left him in a small crate for the night with his food and water to restrict his movement. If there is anything I can do for him tomorrow, I want to be prepared so I'm trying to figure out as much as I can before then. Please help if you can.
Here is the OP:
My favourite cockerel, Atreyu, has sustained a leg injury after fighting. I've separated him and tried to assess the damage as best I can. I observed him for a while and also picked him up and tried to manually move the leg. These are the main symptoms:
- He can't move his right leg forward at all. He tries very hard and then gives up and sits down.
- He can sort of stand on both legs but can't walk forwards.
- He has some swelling around his foot but I suspect this isn't the only injury.
- He is able to bend his ankle and flex and grip with his toes - the problem seems to be higher up at either the knee or the hip.
- It's difficult to move his leg forward manually.
- I couldn't feel heat from any particular area.
- Even while in a sitting position, his leg is further back than the other leg (not pointing backwards, just sitting further back).
- His eyes are clear and bright and he's very alert and healthy otherwise with a vigorous appetite.
- There is no sign of bumblefoot or any infection on the legs.
I have him isolated and have given him a 75mg aspirin. My plan is to let him rest and keep him well fed and hydrated but I also know that if it's a slipped tendon I need to act quickly and I'm not sure what to do.
He's 9 months old and has been living in a bachelor coop with three other cockerels (all hatchmates and getting on ok until now). He was basically the top of the pecking order but I have been taking him out for a couple of hours every other day to breed him with my Light Sussex hen so I'm worried I might have caused this by upsetting the balance.
I did observe some fighting yesterday but it seemed to cool off on its own and everyone was ok afterwards so I didn't intervene. They have spaces to hide from each other. They must have had another fight later that evening before bed because we only went out again after dark to lock up their door.
We only noticed the problem as soon as we let them out this morning. He was on his roost when we opened the door so he had obviously managed to get up there last night somehow. He sort of limped and flapped and fell down the ramp and my husband picked him up quickly because the others started attacking him.
He was my very first hatched chick and he's the only cockerel we have named and planned to keep for a very long time. I'd really appreciate any help.
Edit to add symptoms:
- He's able to get himself into a standing position - he uses his wings to help.
- When he tries to walk, his right leg keeps going backwards instead of forwards - then he gives up and sits down again.
- He still has a hearty appetite and has been alert all day and talking to the hens.
- The aspirin I gave earlier did not seem to have any effect.
- He doesn't protest too much when being examined - he's very easy to handle in general anyway but I assume if it was painful he would protest?
I'm so worried now that it could be a paralysis and not an injury. It's evening here now. I've left him in a small crate for the night with his food and water to restrict his movement. If there is anything I can do for him tomorrow, I want to be prepared so I'm trying to figure out as much as I can before then. Please help if you can.
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