Possible Rickets or Mereks

[Biddieacres]

Wow he is amazing. Hope he is better soon. Sorry, I don't know about trimming his crest but would be curious to find out from someone. Good luck.

 

[ska5758]

I am happy to say that Monday, after several days on yogurt, corn and a multi-vitamin, he started standing and getting up to a roost that we built on his cage. He was walking around in his little cage ok, but when we tried to see how he would do outside we could see that his legs are still a little weak. So we have him back inside for now.

Another problem cropped up. He had always gotten along well with the other two chicks he was raised with, but when we took him outside they attacked him. Anyone know how to re-introduce him?

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
They are attaccking him because he is still ill and/or acting weak. Don't re-introduce him until he is 100%. Nature has it's own way of culling sick birds. They will instinctively attack him is he is still weak.

 

[ska5758]

So do you think they might accept him again someday? We started making another Coop and will put it up by the original - I just hope we can get it out of the garage! It has a run so he can be outside, but they won't be able to get him. He needs to be out of our bathroom in order to get even stronger. I still can't believe he made it!

 

[hinkjc]

As I was just reading thru your post I was thinking vitamin deficiency. This can be brought on multiple ways and is the easiest thing to rule out (by adding vitamin supplements). I'm glad to hear your boy is doing better.

Yes, he can eventually be reintroduced. I would give him some time to heal and make sure he is good and strong to have the energy for the reintroduction. He will likely lose his spot on the pecking order, but he may also just take it back up. I like to introduce at night. Put the bird on the roost with the group at dark. They wake up together and seem to fuss much less than throwing them out there in broad daylight.

 

[ska5758]

That is a great idea to put him in with them at night. I can't believe how weak he was and how much better he is now. Lesson learned for sure! We would have missed out on so much from him if we would have culled him right away! Not that there isn't a time and place for that. Anyway we are trying to finish he temporary chicken ark this weekend so he can continue to get stronger outside. I guess we can then use the ark for new chickens before introducing them, if of course they accept him again. Thank you everyone who assisted!