Fixing Florus, neck injury from fighting...

[NovaAman]

I have a few roosters. Two get on ok, they know their places, and the third is locked in his pen with his ladies. Today I let the one group out to free range, then I let the other group out shortly after. My head roo Rod Stewart, he does not like Florus. Chases him down if he gets to close with his group. Florus is smart enough to haul it.

I went out to close up the pens, and I found Florus on his side in the broody coop under a roost bar that I have in there thats only about 6 inches off the floor. Its that low for the chicks to learn on. Anyway, got him out of there and his head was down and crooked. I can make it straight when I move it, which I did to get poultry drench down him. He's in the house, in a tote with a chicken wire over the top. He won't lift his head on his own, he won't fight me either. I got some water in his also. His head he either lays it on the side, or comb straight down on the bottom of the tote.

I don't want to cull if this is something I can work through with him. I only work a few days a week, so I have the time. BUT how long should I wait to see if this is a neck injury that is fixable? He's my breeder faverolles... I have 7 of his chicks running out there from his girls right now, and 5 more under another hen. SO, I will eventually have a new roo... BUT he's my beauty.

 

[NovaAman]

Sorry, I think he got cornered in there by Rod Stewart... Rod Stewart is a good roo to the girls and he's not people aggressive. Puts up with my little serema roo also. Just Florus he is threated by...

 

[Nambroth]

How is he doing today? Can you see any physical injury or feel anything out of place or incorrect with his neck? Does he seem to be in pain?

 

[NovaAman]

Well, he is crowing up a storm. He's able to hold his head up for a bit. I can get him to eat if I am holding him so his head is in an upright position. I am going to video him. I see no injury other than how he is suddenly holding his head. AND this is sudden. Can a fight bring on wry neck? It's so weird, because I have had a bird with wry neck, and I was able to see that starting and tried my darndest to fix her up. Well, anyway... I did feel along his neck, and it does feel odd... Hard to explain, but even when I have it up straight, there seems to be a bit of a swelling? Maybe baby aspirin?

I need to go do another round of food. I feed him 2.5 hours ago, and he's probably due for some more and water.

 

[Nambroth]

Hmm! Crowing usually means that they are not feeling too badly, at least. Poor fella. There are a few different reasons for wry neck, if he's not just injured, some are more serious than others. Injury can cause the appearance of a crooked or wry neck if his neck or spine was injured. Does he have good balance and mobility otherwise?. A video might help!

 

[Nambroth]

Here is a collection of information if wryneck is suspect: http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=emergencies&action=display&num=1160928615

 

[NovaAman]

Yes surprisingly he does! Not like my girl who had wry neck and she'd flop all around, so I'd had to keep her really still, but ended up putting her down, she got so very bad... BUT Florus is standing, turns around in his tote, crowing like a crazy roo.

 

[Nambroth]

Perhaps he was just injured, either from being beat up, or trying to hide and getting himself twisted in such a small and silly area...

Do you have any metacam or access to it? It is safe for birds and is an anti-inflammatory and painkiller. It's a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory). If you feel he is just injured and has some swelling, it might help. Normal dog and cat vets carry this.

 

[NovaAman]

No, I don't, but I can call Dr. Bader. He's see's birds, but not specializes, and has given me meds before for my chickens.

 

[NovaAman]