My rooster can’t walk. Please help us

[Umwhateverbro]

1) What type of bird , he is a Rhode Island Red. 3 years old. Weight unknown

2) What is the behavior, exactly. He won’t stand and when he try’s to walk he falls. Won’t drink water or eat

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? 1 day

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? No

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. The hens pecked his wings while he was laying there. So he does have that injury but no others.

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. He is a free range chicken. However, there was no issues this morning when I let him out of the coop and when I got home from work I found him laying. When I got closer to him he tried to walk but couldn’t. He kept flopping down. I tried to stand him up on his legs and they just slide out from under him.

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Crumble and scratch brand hi pro. Plus electrolyte water and normal water

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. haven’t seen his poop, yet

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Isolation with water

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Treat at home

 

[SunriseChickers]

I'm no professional, but it sounds like Mareks. Are they vaccinated for it?

 

[Umwhateverbro]

I'm no professional, but it sounds like Mareks. Are they vaccinated for it?

I don’t believe they are.

 

[Stelliebellie1234]

Has he been acting any different lately? Have you checked for pests like mites or lice? Here is what to look for:

 

[SunriseChickers]

Here's a little article on Mareks.

https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/mareks-disease\

I hope StellieBellie1234 is onto something though.

 

[Umwhateverbro]

Has he been acting any different lately? Have you checked for pests like mites or lice? Here is what to look for:

Thank you. I did check him for more. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any. This behavior is sudden. He was completely fine this morning.

 

[Eggcessive]

Poor guy. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last couple of months? His comb appears dry and blue on the tips. Chickens will peck at a chicken they feel is ill or crippled. They really did a number on him. I would keep him in a dog crate with food and water near the chickens for company.

Can you look his skin over for any lice and mites? Will he take some electrolyte water or Poultry NutriDrench orally? Offer some watery chicken feed and scrambled egg.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Thank you. I did check him for more. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any. This behavior is sudden. He was completely fine this morning.

That sounds quite like Mareks. Mareks, if you didn't know, often means death for all your birds.

 

[Umwhateverbro]

Poor guy. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last couple of months? His comb appears dry and blue on the tips. Chickens will peck at a chicken they feel is ill or crippled. They really did a number on him. I would keep him in a dog crate with food and water near the chickens for company.

Can you look his skin over for any lice and mites? Will he take some electrolyte water or Poultry NutriDrench orally? Offer some watery chicken feed and scrambled egg.

I know I feel so bad for him. He’s a great rooster. I combed through his feathers and I didn’t see anything that is standing out. We’ve haven’t added anything new into our coop. I tried to give him water but he won’t drink. I will try the scrambled eggs.

 

[Umwhateverbro]

That sounds quite like Mareks. Mareks, if you didn't know, often means death for all your birds.

That would be very devastating for our family. My father in law keeps saying that he think he got bit by a snake. We live in Arizona.