Mille Fluer Bantam Rooser - possible Bumblefoot/Feed for Roosters

[Totolose]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a newbe chicken lover. I've been reviewing the post for diseases/injuries to try and find out what might be my little roo's problem. I have a pair of Mille Fluer bantam chickens who are about 30-36 weeks old (Nepoleon and Josephine). Nepoleon started out with a noticeable feather loss. At first I thought Josephine was plucking his feathers out. Then maybe he was molting??? Maybe he's too young to molt??? Then I thought he might have lice or mites. I checked him over and looked for mites/lice and I couldn't see any bugs on him. I use DE in the coop and dust my birds periodically. Then I noticed that he's not walking much; he mostly sits, and when he does walk he sort of stomps around like he's off balance. I did some reading through the post in the forum and came across bumblefoot. So I checked his foot pads for bumblefoot. It looks like the pads on his feet might be slightly swollen, however they are not red or inflamed and there is no scab present. As some of you may know he has feathered feet, but I don't think the feathers on his feet seem to be the problem ???? I would be so greatful for any help I could get.

Another thing,,,, Since they are in a pen togather, I feed them both, layer crumbles and a little scratch as a treat. Is it harmful for roosters to eat layer feed?

Thank you,
Totolose (Creek word for Chicken)

 

[TaLani]

First of all

!

Wonder if he has something going on like a slipped tendon in his leg?? Not really sure. As far as I know there's no problem in giving roos laying feed - it just has extra calcium and other vitamins. Don't worry he won't start laying eggs or acting like a hen!

Sorry, don't mean to make light of your situation, just couldn't resist.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

I have a millie roo also, and he has more of a tendency to stand on one leg or sit down than the others. I've noticed this in other millies at shows also. If he looks like he doesn't have enough feathers, maybe give him a little dry cat food or meat scraps. The protein should boost feather growth. And yes, it's okay for him to eat layer feed.

Watch over him, and maybe try standing him up. Pick him up so that he will stick out his legs under him, then try to get him to stand on his feet. If he collapses, he's got a problem.

oh yeah, and he couldn't be molting. Too young.

 

[Totolose]

thank you Mrs. Puff and TaLani for your prompt replies!

I did give him some dry cat food last night for extra protein. I will continue to watch over him and keep you posted.

 

[TaLani]

You're most certainly welcome Totolose!

Mrs. Puff, what do you think could be his roo's problem - do you think he could have a slipped leg tendon or the bumble foot? I have 2 millie hens, but no millie roo - just wondering if this breed is prone to this type of leg problem.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

Honestly, I don't know. I'm not really an expert on millies, I just happen to have a millie roo I got at a flea market. I had a red star hen that wouldn't really stand up anymore, and she would collapse after I tried to get her to stand. She did this for about a day and a half, then was all better. She even continued to lay eggs. I bet if your Roo has a slipped tendon, he wouldn't be able to stand at all though. Or he would be on one leg all the time. I do have an EE hen right now who is having troubles with the scales on her feet being all icky. She hold up one foot all the time, and does that stomping thing.

Maybe totolose's roo busted a toe or something?

 

[TaLani]

Crumbs, maybe someone else will have more info for Totolose. Poor little roo.

I've not had a prob like this with my chickens (knock on wood) so far and hope not to either.