Lame Rooster

[Wyorp Rock]

Poor Guy! Your boys are handsome.

I'd try the antibiotics, what do you have?

I'd also give the vitamins and some extra protein. Maybe some egg or a little fish (sardines, mackerel).
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I'm just running down everything I can think of at this time, so I'm not saying any of these apply, just brainstorming here.

Are his leg shanks thickened?
Any chance he's been fighting and got injured/attacked?

Any lice/mites...
What's the poop like?

No access to moldy feed, compost (rotting material).

Added any new birds?


I'm going to tag in @microchick and @coach723 to have a look. Both have dealt with Marek's in their flock in some shape or form.

Can't rule it out, but there's SO many conditions that can affect chickens, it could be something else.

 

[Hamburg]

Thank you for your concern, and suggestions. He did not make it through the day. I just finished burying him. No, none of those things apply. I would like to know what the issue is. I have lost to many birds to it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for your concern, and suggestions. He did not make it through the day. I just finished burying him. No, none of those things apply. I would like to know what the issue is. I have lost to many birds to it.

I'm sorry to hear he didn't make it.

It can be hard to nail down these things, especially if it's sporadic. Since the symptoms you saw with him are very similar to what you have seen in the past with hens as well, I'd lean more toward Marek's. While it does seem to show up in younger birds, it can affect them at different ages too.

Any chance he and the hens all have the same line/parentage while all the ones that have been "healthy" have a different line/parentage?
I wouldn't think it's genetic, but you never know.

The only way to know for certain about Marek's is to have testing. This may be something to consider doing in the future if you lose more in a short period of time.