Mating or seizures?

[WallyBirdie]

I am paranoid bird parent keeping a near constant eye on my little cockerel.
It might be nothing at all. But... what if it is something?

My cockerel is a turken mix, just shy of a month old, and he recently started shaking.

He sits on my hand, arm, or shoulder all the time because he is small and enjoys it. (I know this is controversial due to eye-pecking and dominance.) Over the past couple days, he has been sitting on my hand, digging his little toes/nails into my skin (not too hard) and then he shakes. This lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 seconds and then he hops off.

He does not limp or walk funny. As far as I know he is perfectly healthy and happy. He has only done the awkward shake while standing on my hand. I haven't seen it otherwise.

The way it looks, it honestly resembles how a rooster mates a hen- the way they mount and wiggle/shake. But at 1 month old, that seems very farfetched.

Is he having small seizures? Is this an early sign of some sort of illness or disease? What should I do?

Video.

 

[JadeFarms]

That’s odd, definitely get a video.

 

[WallyBirdie]

That’s odd, definitely get a video.

I will asap. He's done it a few times. I just want to make sure nothing is wrong with him.

 

[WallyBirdie]

That’s odd, definitely get a video.

Sorry for the badly shot video. Phone battery was too low to use flash and he likes to hang out near the heat lamp.

I don't want to be odd or crude. Looks to me like mating but he is less than a month old, so I don't think it's that. I have read so many horror stories, I want to make sure this isn't something health threatening.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

Sorry for the badly shot video. Phone battery was too low to use flash and he likes to hang out near the heat lamp.

I don't want to be odd or crude. Looks to me like mating but he is less than a month old, so I don't think it's that. I have read so many horror stories, I want to make sure this isn't something health threatening.

Looks to me as though its bathing (on a hand? hmm) or attempted mating, yes.
Have you raised from birth? Does this only happen when you hold him? If so, I shouldn't & can't imagine it's anything to worry about.

 

[JadeFarms]

I think if he was having seizures he would go on and on in random places. It looks like has mating your hand but he is maturing amazingly fast! I really wanna see his growth because that’s just really amazing.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

Looks to me as though its bathing (on a hand? hmm) or attempted mating, yes.
Have you raised from birth? Does this only happen when you hold him? If so, I shouldn't & can't imagine it's anything to worry about.

Rewatched. I don't think it's his wings he's using so I've changed my mind about the bathing. I think he's trying to mate, but not sure why - especially at that age. Either way, if it's the only time he's doing it, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I think if he was having seizures he would go on and on in random places. It looks like has mating your hand but he is maturing amazingly fast! I really wanna see his growth because that’s just really amazing.

x2. If this is only happening on your hand, I think you can rule out seizures etc and focus instead on behaviour & behavioural traits rather than medical.

 

[happychicken2435]

Rewatched. I don't think it's his wings he's using so I've changed my mind about the bathing. I think he's trying to mate, but not sure why - especially at that age. Either way, if it's the only time he's doing it, I wouldn't worry.

X2, i agree. at 6 weeks my cockerel started mounting pullets of the same age, some just mature quickly

 

[WallyBirdie]

I think if he was having seizures he would go on and on in random places. It looks like has mating your hand but he is maturing amazingly fast! I really wanna see his growth because that’s just really amazing.

I will be posting updates as he ages. He is 3 days shy of being one month old. I have photos of him from day to day and by 2 weeks his wings and tail were huge. By 3 weeks someone identified him as a cockerel. Almost a month and he is potentially trying to mate.