Rescue Rooster needs help!

[HuntrixHelp]

Human B vitamin complex (B50 or B100 pill - pop it in their beak and they'll swallow) is the treatment for curled toe paralysis, basically the only thing you listed you might could do something about. In bad cases it can take 1-3 months of daily pills to make a difference in the chicken's symptoms. This boy sounds bad. He may have multiple things going on. I'd also be giving him some Nutridrench (molasses water and vitamins) to help stimulate his appetite and the vitamins can't hurt.

I would worm as soon as possible, see if you can get a dog/cat vet to do a fecal float and identify worms or other things they might have. Giardia? Coccidiosis? There's stuff other than worms that can lay them low. I'd treat for all of it if you can't get a fecal float, but knowing what you're treating is best of course.

Note: if you treat for coccidiosis, stop all B vitamins - it prevents the CORID from working properly to kill the coccidiosis. You can give B vitamins again once the course of CORID is over.

There is a member on here, now a couple members, who have successfully treated Merek's with Chinese skullcap mushrooms (I think that's the name of the mushroom). My understanding is that from their observations it doesn't heal it, but puts the Merek's disease in remission (symptom free) as long as the bird takes a therapeutic dose. You'll need to keep a closed flock from then on - no birds ever go out, and you may need to treat everyone once they've all been exposed. Not a vet approved treatment in the US, but there is some literature out there about it. Something to look into.

Thank you so much. This is all wonderful information!

 

[HuntrixHelp]

Welcome To BYC
Does he have Mites? If so, then if there's a heavy infestation, this can cause a lot of weakness and anemia.

You're supplementing B and Selenium. How much Selenium? Generally giving some egg in addition to a nutritionally balanced feed is sufficient when it comes to Selenium. Too much especially given as a supplement/pill can be toxic.

Work on hydration and him eating his normal feed. Since he's eating/drinking excessively, offer wet feed and give him a little at a time, it sounds like he's not been eating regularly. Check his crop to make sure it's emptying.

You know what, his crop felt weird this morning. Kind of hard, but I thought maybe he just ate. I'm watching him eat right now and when he bends down to pick up food, some feed and water/mucus comes out, so there's another possible symptom... could also just be too much water going to start deworm today. Drop the selenium, and up the B. Thank you so much for your reply!

 

[FunClucks]

You know what, his crop felt weird this morning. Kind of hard, but I thought maybe he just ate. I'm watching him eat right now and when he bends down to pick up food, some feed and water/mucus comes out, so there's another possible symptom... could also just be too much water going to start deworm today. Drop the selenium, and up the B. Thank you so much for your reply!

Also make sure he has access to appropriate grit. They sell it in a bag, if you haven't used it before. I've found that can help clear out crop issues, if folks have them free range for it, or think they don't need it cause they only eat chicken feed crumble the chickens may not have enough of the right type of rocks available, and may need it. IMO they ALWAYS find something else to eat that needs grit to digest, (they will eat shavings, and feathers, they eat random stuff all the time) and that can help them clear issues out. A bowl of grit set where he can get to it is good enough.

Also, you can raise up his food and water so he doesn't need to bend down and deal with stuff coming up. That might help with symptoms, feeling bad, and help prevent getting that into his lungs more than it already has.