We've only had chickens for 1 year and no problems so I'm a bit inexperienced, but learning. But about 4 days ago he was acting off but we just kept an eye on him. Then he became lethargic and lying down alone outside (they free range). When I tried to pick him up he attempted to get away but was way off balance and just basically fell down. Put him in the house giving him water w/ electrolytes. He was in my lap for a couple of hours just out of it. It was bad and I didn't know what to expect in the morning. He was alive but not better.
By that afternoon he ate some mashed food, never saw him drink but I was giving him water and then he got energy and wanted outside. Put him out with the hens and all was fine the rest of the day and the next day until we came home at 5pm and it was the same thing all over again!
Now he's been inside again since last evening and there's zero improvement. One thing that's weird is occasionally he will get flighty kind of and put up a fuss and then completely go limp. It's happened like 4 times and all times I thought he died! Checked him for lice/mites & vent looks good. Checked his crop and compared to my other chickens I feel nothing but he's not eating. Well, what I'm feeling is a long mass that feels like muscle. Is that his trachea? I was massaging it just in case but when I touch him there he stands up and raises his head up like it bothers him or something I'm not sure.
We don't want to use antibiotics and I don't know what's wrong with him. But at this point I'll do what I need to to save him. Thus far today he has just been out of it sleeping. He only responds if I pick him up and then goes right back to sleep. Someone suggested sulmet for him.
All I could find at either TSC or Southern States was tetracycline hydrochloride antibiotic although it's for respiratory which I don't think he has. I got it b/c that's all they had. No sulmet or terramycin. I'm not sure what to do and he is really not doing well. Should I use the antibiotic? I'm just lost as what to do! In the pictures his comb has dried blood on it. It happened before. I think it's from him doing something around our fencing.
Thanks!
By that afternoon he ate some mashed food, never saw him drink but I was giving him water and then he got energy and wanted outside. Put him out with the hens and all was fine the rest of the day and the next day until we came home at 5pm and it was the same thing all over again!
Now he's been inside again since last evening and there's zero improvement. One thing that's weird is occasionally he will get flighty kind of and put up a fuss and then completely go limp. It's happened like 4 times and all times I thought he died! Checked him for lice/mites & vent looks good. Checked his crop and compared to my other chickens I feel nothing but he's not eating. Well, what I'm feeling is a long mass that feels like muscle. Is that his trachea? I was massaging it just in case but when I touch him there he stands up and raises his head up like it bothers him or something I'm not sure.
We don't want to use antibiotics and I don't know what's wrong with him. But at this point I'll do what I need to to save him. Thus far today he has just been out of it sleeping. He only responds if I pick him up and then goes right back to sleep. Someone suggested sulmet for him.
All I could find at either TSC or Southern States was tetracycline hydrochloride antibiotic although it's for respiratory which I don't think he has. I got it b/c that's all they had. No sulmet or terramycin. I'm not sure what to do and he is really not doing well. Should I use the antibiotic? I'm just lost as what to do! In the pictures his comb has dried blood on it. It happened before. I think it's from him doing something around our fencing.
Thanks!
