Help! I've fallen and can't get up!

[nevrenufanimals]

This is the second day I've looked and and seen one of my roosters upside down in the grass. After noticing that he was still there even after about 15 minutes I went to check on him again. He's upside down on his back, laying in a small rut in the grass. He gets a little wiggly upon my approach but cant get himself upright. The other day I just rolled him over gently and he popped up and walked off. Today, after I rolled him over and he walked off, he appeared to have a wing that didn't look right, and was kind of limping on his leg on the same side. Can anyone give advice on what particularly I should look for?

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is he? Do you have other roosters? What do you feed him? Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease or have you seen any chickens with those symptoms before? If you can upload a video to YouTube of him walking it might help.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Sounds like a balance or neurological issue, injury to the brain, inflammation or infection of middle ear, stroke, tumor, inflammation or infection of the brain or surrounding tissues. Prognosis depends on cause, injury and inflammation can resolve, tumor, stroke or infection are more serious/worse prognosis. Wait and see, make sure he can get food/water, maybe antibiotics and anti inflammatories.

 

[Folly's place]

@Eggcessive has it right, also look for injuries, are his pupils identical in size? Iris color okay? Is he eating and drinking? lead paint chips or anything in his environment?
Mary

 

[nevrenufanimals]

How old is he? Do you have other roosters? What do you feed him? Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease or have you seen any chickens with those symptoms before? If you can upload a video to YouTube of him walking it might help.

He is almost two. Yes I have one other rooster, so 2/12 total. I have been feeding them Nutrena NatureWise Hearty Hen Layer Pelleted Chicken Feed approx 6 months now. they also are allowed to free range in my backyard (fenced) the majority of the time. On occasion they will get some romaine, or greenery/vegetable type scraps or some 5 grain scratch. I received both boys from a breeder who does not vaccinate. All my hens have been vaccinated. No one else is showing symptoms. Actually, I just looked at him again and he seems fine. I am however seeing some black areas on both roos combs and wattles that I've never seen before.

 

[nevrenufanimals]

@Eggcessive has it right, also look for injuries, are his pupils identical in size? Iris color okay? Is he eating and drinking? lead paint chips or anything in his environment?
Mary

Without catching him, I dont see any injuries. His eyes look ok, clear, normal. He is eating and drinking, staying with the flock. There is no paint on their coop/run so no lead. Going to try and grab him tomorrow to get a close up exam.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Without catching him, I dont see any injuries. His eyes look ok, clear, normal. He is eating and drinking, staying with the flock. There is no paint on their coop/run so no lead. Going to try and grab him tomorrow to get a close up exam.

Catch him off the roost tonight and take a look. Chickens run faster than people.

 

[Folly's place]

Does he have a pale comb? Look tonight with a flashlight for mites or lice, causes anemia/ weakness.
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

Any pictures of the black marks on the combs may help. He could have been injured fighting as you know. Mites can really sap energy and make them weak/anemic. Mareks usually strikes when they are much younger, unless you could have added a new bird who was a carrier.

 

[nevrenufanimals]

I dont see any mites, combs dont look pale. There have been no new additions to my flock since the boys were newly hatched chicks. I was able to get some pictures of their faces with the black spots today while I was out cleaning their coop and run. Could it be fowl pox? I dont really see lesions/blister/sores. They are the only ones with it. ( the black one is my upside down guy)