Got a chicken and it's acting sick and I'm a newbie. Advise please?

[nightowl223]

That said, both of them I found like that refused to open their eyes the same way yours has, and didn't want to eat or drink at first. Literally the definition of severe depression. One I brought out of it, and slowly introduced to others, and he's now a happy top rooster of his own flock. The other refused everything, and simply faded away. Even drench feeding was becoming a battle with him, and I had to let him go. I did autopsy him, and there were zero signs of any illness or tumors or anything, unless it was in the brain.

 

[Cheryl Martin]

I was beginning to doubt myself when no one else picked up that he was looking male. Pleased to hear he is a bit stronger and making progress. Will you be able to keep him (local bylaws etc)? If not, it might be best to consider euthanizing him now rather than spend any more time trying to rehabilitate him. It is hard enough to find homes for healthy unwanted cockerels but a blind one would be even more difficult. Added to that, it may be that his sight problem is caused by Marek's disease and the last thing you want to do is pass that on to someone else's flock. I know this may seem harsh but sometimes the realities of chicken keeping can be harsh, particularly for unwanted males.

Good afternoon. Wanted to follow up with you on the progress of my Dude and see if you have some additional advice. Dude is doing so well. He is crowing morning and night (sometimes during the day), eating well, drinking and starting to feel confident to walk around a small bit when I take him outside. I do have a question that I wanted your opinion on. His comb and wattle have come to lift. If you compare to when I got him, you can see the huge difference and improvement. The question is about his comb. If you look at the picture closely, you can see the back tips are turning darker. I read that that could be caused by respiratory or heart issues, some research said maybe a virus. That article recommended a round of antibiotics (duramycin I think). What do you think? Would a round of antibiotics hurt him if he isn't sick. I'm not sure if you remember all the things that he's been through from when I got him. I kinda feel like antibiotics couldn't hurt knock out something he might have, but I just don't know. I'm attaching a picture for your inspection. You did such a great job of being the first to identify him as a boy Thanks in advance. Hope you are well.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi
I've just had a complete reread of the thread and personally I don't think antibiotics will help. Usually when they have a bacterial infection, they will act sick if it is in their digestive tract and not want to eat and their poop will be runny and smelly and sometimes green or black...... or they will suffer respiratory distress like wheezing or gurgling if it is in their respiratory system or you would see some swelling if it was in the sinuses. He is not showing these symptoms and misuse of antibiotics is one of my soap box issues I'm afraid, so I really don't like the "try it and see" option from the perspective of it leading to antibiotic resistance. Also, a course of antibiotics is hard on the digestive system. If he has Marek's, then that could cause him stress and tip the balance against him. I read nothing in your description of symptoms that would indicate a bacterial infection.

Unfortunately the comb discolouration could be an indication that he is developing the fatal tumours on his heart or lungs that are often the final stage of Marek's. The fact that his eyes when he opens them are discoloured and that 4+ weeks later, he is still not opening them is not a good sign. I appreciate that you have done wonders to build him up and get him to this stage. He was most likely starving due to not being able to find food before you got him.

I think you are at the stage that you have to consider what quality of life a blind rooster is going to have even if I am wrong about him possibly having tumours. I know you are just treating/caring for him day to day and perhaps not thinking long term and I understand how that happens and you get very emotionally attached when they are so dependent on you but even if you could be sure he doesn't have a contagious fatal disease like Marek's, it is unlikely that he could hold his own in a flock. I'm not saying to euthanize him but maybe just trying to prepare you for him not surviving despite your best efforts.

I hope others will chip in with their opinions which may be more encouraging than mine. Personally I would make him as comfortable and happy as possible as you have been doing and be prepared to euthanize him if/when he starts to decline.

Best wishes

Barbara

Best wishes

 

[Cheryl Martin]

Thanks for the quick response and honest feedback. i am trying to keep it in my mind that he may never go anywhere outside of my basement and he may not have a very long life. He is definitely living like a king now . He is eating quite well because I make sure that he gets to the food 3 times a day and I keep a close eye on his food bowl and see that he is eating some during the day without me. I’m doing some wet and dry food to try to make sure he gets enough water. I make sure he drinks good while I’m with him to keep him hydrated. He has only seemed to improve, other than the eyes. I’m not going to hold out hope of anything other than having a comfortable happy life for what he has left. He doesn’t sound or seem to have any issues with his breathing, no wheezing or making any kind of sounds. That’s just what came up when I did the search for the darkening part of his comb. I wish I had a chicken vet close but haven’t been able
To find one. I was just wondering your thoughts on the antibiotic. I have never had to medicate any of
My birds so that’s a new territory for me.