Roo can't/won't stand.

[demp4]

I have a delaware roo probably 5-6 months old. He won't walk, tries to get up and lays back down. He is eating cracked corn from my hand and the ground and I just saw him take a drink. no blood or apparent injuries, crop doesn't feel hard but also isn't full enough to see well so I don't know if he ate before I gave him the corn. I have him separated in a cage and he just lays there. Comb is red and looks okay.

Any ideas on what I can do or check?

 

[demp4]

Its more like he can't balance when he stands and he doesn't want to put weight on his legs.

 

[demp4]

I have quarantined him inside but other than that I have no clue...

 

[Aeropennchick]

Are your chickens vaccinated? Is it possible he ate something poisonous?

 

[chickfan]

I had a chicken that did that a year or so ago. I posted the problem on this board, and one person (I wish I could remember who it was!) said to try Vitamin B Complex. I went to the store and bought capsules (for humans). Being capsules, I could pull them apart and pour out the powder. I poured it on all the chicken,s food and in all the water (chicken was in a cage so had exclusive access to some food and water). I didn't pay any attention to how much I was using...I just continued to put the powder in all the food and all the water, because I doubted an overdose was even an issue at this point. Much to my surprise, she started walking in about 2 weeks. Not well at first, but each day was an improvement. I finally put her out with the others. Of course she had to defend her place in the pecking order, but she was OK. It wasn't long before she was walking normally, and I was very shocked. It was funny that she suddenly started to crow! I had thought for sure he was a hen....but turned out to be probably the biggest rooster I have, with huge strong legs.
Your chicken may have Mareks disease...I understand that can cause them to become lame. But trying the vitamin won't hurt, and hopefully you will be as lucky as I was.

 

[seminolewind]

I had a chicken that did that a year or so ago. I posted the problem on this board, and one person (I wish I could remember who it was!) said to try Vitamin B Complex. I went to the store and bought capsules (for humans). Being capsules, I could pull them apart and pour out the powder. I poured it on all the chicken,s food and in all the water (chicken was in a cage so had exclusive access to some food and water). I didn't pay any attention to how much I was using...I just continued to put the powder in all the food and all the water, because I doubted an overdose was even an issue at this point. Much to my surprise, she started walking in about 2 weeks. Not well at first, but each day was an improvement. I finally put her out with the others. Of course she had to defend her place in the pecking order, but she was OK. It wasn't long before she was walking normally, and I was very shocked. It was funny that she suddenly started to crow! I had thought for sure he was a hen....but turned out to be probably the biggest rooster I have, with huge strong legs.
Your chicken may have Mareks disease...I understand that can cause them to become lame. But trying the vitamin won't hurt, and hopefully you will be as lucky as I was.

I agree, that's what I would do-and think.

 

[demp4]

Are your chickens vaccinated? Is it possible he ate something poisonous?

no not vaccinated. and it is possible that he hate something poisonous since they free range all day.

I will try the vit B complex today!

 

[demp4]

Today he is standing but his weight is all on his butt which he is leaning on the back of the cage to support himself. Put out his right foot over and over like he wanted to walk but didn't trust himself to take a step.

 

[ChicknThief]

Have you checked the bottom of his feet for abcesses and bumblefoot?

 

[seminolewind]

I hope he keeps getting better!