Lethargic bird not able to open eyes and lost weight. Looks like a dead chicken but is still kicking

[elmoflim]

1) He's a sixteen week old Cochin Rooster.
I found him tuesday on the ground and grabbed him thinking he was dead. He was fine monday and when feeding and watering them Tuesday I found him on the ground. All my other chickens are looking fine and seem to be healthy. His eyes were really swollen, I put neosporin on his eyes and it took the swelling down. It looks possible that his head is a bit swollen. He can only stay on his side and can't hold his neck up. Looks like wry neck at first, but I think it's because of his head may be a bit swollen. Maybe head injury there was another male rooster in the cage and he was under stairs going up to the coop. My uncle mentioned that he used to own cochins and they would get sick like him if a mosquito bit them in their head. From what I can gather he hasn't been able to eat or drink since late monday/early tuesday. He has pooped on himself and it looks runny. I wonder if him being put upright in a sling type would help him. He does kick and try to escape from me, but he's really really weak. So all he does it spin in a circle laying down with eyes closed wings not really able to flap as well.

 

[chicks are life]

Separate in a dog crate full of shabvoimgs.
Give homade electrolytes or store bought
Give chick feed for added protein.

 

[Isaac 0]

Do you have a vet near you?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @elmoflim

I agree with @MasterOfClucker if you have vet care, that would be best.

Can you post some photos or a video of your Cochin?
A better list of his symptoms will be helpful - any discharge from the nostrils and eyes, difficulty breathing, etc.

Since he was in a cage with another rooster, check him over for any wounds/injuries.
Getting him hydrated is very important. If you have some poultry vitamins add those to his water.

Place him in a separate cage so you can monitor him more closely. Keep us posted.

 

[elmoflim]

Separate in a dog crate full of shabvoimgs.
Give homade electrolytes or store bought
Give chick feed for added protein.

Hi @elmoflim

I agree with @MasterOfClucker if you have vet care, that would be best.

Can you post some photos or a video of your Cochin?
A better list of his symptoms will be helpful - any discharge from the nostrils and eyes, difficulty breathing, etc.

Since he was in a cage with another rooster, check him over for any wounds/injuries.
Getting him hydrated is very important. If you have some poultry vitamins add those to his water.

Place him in a separate cage so you can monitor him more closely. Keep us posted.

Unfortunately no to the vet. Day three and he's still alive warning the pictures might be considered graphic

 

[elmoflim]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Did you find any wounds on him?

I'm sorry, he does not look good at all. He probably has Wry Neck which is a neurological symptom of injury, vitamin deficiency and certain diseases like Marek's.

From your description, I would lean toward Marek's as being the cause of his illness. There is no cure and a lot of times a bird dies. You can try giving supportive care by giving vitamin E, B and the mineral selenium. He will need to be monitored very closely and have special care for what may be a long time.

If you feel that he is suffering, it may be kinder to put him down.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[elmoflim]

Did you find any wounds on him? No wounds so far, his eyes are now able to open(yay not swollen anymore,) if I hold his neck he's able to stand, he can't open his beak, and it does look like neurological problems. Holding his neck he was able to swallow a little of save a chick powdered water. Is there any specific medicine or vitamins to help with the vitamins that would happen in liquid form? praying it's not marek

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can find Poultry Nutri-Drench at most feed stores like Tractor Supply.
Try to get fluids into him, if he's not drinking on his own, then you may need to drop water beside his beak to get him to take it in or consider tubing fluids into him.

You may also want to make him a sling to put him in when you can monitor him. This will get him upright for short periods of time.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding
https://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/

 

[elmoflim]

So I've been putting rooster booster(vitamins and electrolytes) in their water. Could I have messed him up with him having too much vitamins?