Limping Rooster - Advice Please

[Hummingbird Hollow]

My 16 week old rooster Waldo is favoring one leg/foot and has been for the past few days I picked him up yesterday and examined his foot and leg and couldn't see anything different or wrong with him but he behaves like it hurts. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Judy]

You could try penning him up for a few days so he will rest, not use the leg much, and see if that will allow him to heal. Just depends what it is -- which can be hard to pin down.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

3 days and nights now my rooster has been confined to a dog crate where he can't move around much. He spends most of his time lying down or shuffling along back on his heels...or elbows....or hocks, only coming up on his feet if he is anxious or sometimes when he wants to crow. He eats and drinks and crows, but doesn't seem to be getting any better. His sore foot and ankle looks kind of swollen, but there is no sore or puffy looking spot like I see in the bumble foot photos. I have him on antibiotics anyway, but thought I'd see if anyone here had additional advice.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

He may have sprained it jumping down from something or chasing something. Just like in humans, sprains heal slowly.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

He may have sprained it jumping down from something or chasing something. Just like in humans, sprains heal slowly.

In your opinion, do you think I should just continue as I am, keeping him confined and giving it a chance to heal?

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

In your opinion, do you think I should just continue as I am, keeping him confined and giving it a chance to heal?

I would keep him in the crate for another week and then see if he is walking better. If it is a sprain, it should be better after another week of rest. If it is not better, then you may need to decide how much you are willing to spend taking him to an avian vet or see what quality of life he can have with a limp. If it doesn't seem that he is in pain, he should be able to do most of his duties normally.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Thanks.