Injured leg??

[onyx2011]

Recently had a crazy snowstorm blow in and knock down the netting. A contractor is supposed to be coming any day to put a permanent roof on while restoring other things. As a result, Ive been locking the chickens up in the coop instead of letting them use the run(which is now no longer predator safe). The other day, when I went in to feed them, i decided to free range as I was planning to be out for a bit and the snow had melted.

We have a RIR rooster in our flock and he tends to live the aggressive stereotype. However, he is now limping, doing the "flamingo" when he's not moving. He is the most passive Ive ever witnessed. Upon inspection,i can't notice any wounds or breaks,the legs look identical with the exception that he is heavily favoring one. The toes move just fine, curling around my hand when i pick him up. Does anyone have any idea what he injured? I feel awful watching him desperately try to keep up with the ladies

 

[PouleNoire]

He could have just pulled something or just stepped on something funny given there's no outward sign of an injury, I would just keep an eye on him. How long has he been like this?

 

[onyx2011]

He could have just pulled something or just stepped on something funny given there's no outward sign of an injury, I would just keep an eye on him. How long has he been like this?

It's been about 3 days. I havent checked on them yet today as I got into a freak car crash and am sore as all heck. But that's besides the point...

Last night before i left the house i went to lock the chickens up and all the hens were back in the coop, with my boy being abandoned in the garden! His leg must hurt so badly that he didnt even bother limping to them!

 

[PouleNoire]

So sorry to hear about your accident!! Please get well soon!

Did some quick searches on how to help chickens with a broken leg...I know your bird's leg probably isn't broken but these things might help it.

You can try putting him in a small crate of some sort so that there is only room to move around a little bit and not any more than a few steps. That way he won't move around on his leg that much. Don't put in any sort of roost or anything. Try your best to put him somewhere where he won't get surprised or scared...I put the link below on the reading I read to get this information:
http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2014/02/BrokenLeg.html

 

[onyx2011]

So sorry to hear about your accident!! Please get well soon!

Did some quick searches on how to help chickens with a broken leg...I know your bird's leg probably isn't broken but these things might help it.

You can try putting him in a small crate of some sort so that there is only room to move around a little bit and not any more than a few steps. That way he won't move around on his leg that much. Don't put in any sort of roost or anything. Try your best to put him somewhere where he won't get surprised or scared...I put the link below on the reading I read to get this information:
http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2014/02/BrokenLeg.html

Thank you for your concern! Interestingly enough, i severely bruised the same leg that my rooster did... Maybe we're spiritually connected now?

I think I'm going to try to bring him in, but I'm just a highschool senior, so i have to ask my parents permission, even if he will be just staying in my room... I have an old guinea pig cage that should work!

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds more and more like he may have Mareks, but a serious leg or hip injury could still be possible. Since he can’t get around, he may starve. I would make him a chicken sling to get him upright, and set food and water cups right in front of him. You make make a sling inside a dog crate and attach food and water to the door. Google chicken slings for pictures.

Start some poultry vitamins in his water or crush 1/2 B Complex vitamin tablet in his food daily. If you should lose him, send his body into your state vet for a necropsy. That is the best way to diagnose Mareks disease.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It sounds more and more like he may have Mareks, but a serious leg or hip injury could still be possible. Since he can’t get around, he may starve. I would make him a chicken sling to get him upright, and set food and water cups right in front of him. You make make a sling inside a dog crate and attach food and water to the door. Google chicken slings for pictures.

Start some poultry vitamins in his water or crush 1/2 B Complex vitamin tablet in his food daily. If you should lose him, send his body into your state vet for a necropsy. That is the best way to diagnose Mareks disease.

I agree with @Eggcessive from the position he is staying in, it's very possible he may be suffering from Marek's. Good advice about the vitamins and seeing that he is getting food/water.

I realize that you have been doing your best taking care of him, but if the hens are scratching at him, they may eventually turn on him and attack while he is in a weakened state. If you have some chicken wire - can you section off a safe area for him so he is not bothered by the flock.

You may also want to give the feet/legs a good soaking and remove the debris that is packed into the nooks/crannies of his feet. Once you have his feet cleaned, post some photos of the bottoms of both feet and of the legs.

 

[Eggcessive]

Green poop is a sign that he is not eating, which usually happens in Mareks as well. Some chickens seem to be immune to Mareks, while others get it. They can get it in the environment or from wild birds.It could be that he has some problem with immunity, but we don’t know for sure that he has Mareks. You should get a necropsy by a state vet or poultry lab done on his body if you lose him. Refrigerate it and wrap in a plastic garbage bag, and ship it on ice packs in a foam cooler. I would contact them early Monday by contacting your state dept of agriculture. You also could Google Metzer Farms Poultry Diagnostic Labs which has contact info for state labs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I live in Michigan, thank you for your help!

Each state is different...you may want to give them a call, but it looks like a necropsy would be $65.00, but would think that does not include shipping and any other tests/administrative costs
Michigan state lab Phone: (517) 353-1683
Michigan state lab https://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/
Michigan state fee schedule https://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/Misc/AD.ADM.REF.005.pdf

Quality of life/suffering, symptoms, whether or not you have time to care properly for an animal - all play a part in making a decision about putting them down. These are things that need to be considered and discussed with your parents - have them help you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry for your loss. It is good that you are putting him out of his misery, and not letting him suffer. Having a necropsy is inexpensive in some states, while more costly in others. In the event that you lose another, it might give you information on what caused the death. Hopefully, his problem was an injury, and not MareKs. If you should see any others with walking difficulties or imbalance, treat the same.