Rooster down, can't stand up

[kiara0927]

I'm sorry to hear I had a 2 yr old hen that I raised that did the same thing I worked with her hoping she would get well I even took her to the vet and she was treated for Mereks disease..The Vet told me to keep her separate from the others so I did but she died anyways so it may be Mereks disease pls look up the symtoms or watch YouTube video's to see if urs has the same symtoms.God Bless

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@sschroeter if you have a video that would be helpful. You will have to post it to youtube or vimeo then provide us a link.

It's hard to know what's going on, but with your description it sounds neurological. It also could be nutritional related as mentioned in previous posts.

Providing us with more info like the video, your housing, what you feed, etc. you may get some better suggestions.

It won't hurt to provide some poultry vitamins to see if that makes a difference.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I haven't had anything happen like that with my chickens, but my Homing Pigeons have had occasions like that. Usually, it is hen with calcium deficiency from laying lots of eggs, and I would give her a few drops of calcium gluconate, set her up in her own temporary cage with food and calcium gluconate in her water, 1 teasp per gallon, for a few days; that always worked for hens. If it was one of my males, it was usually bacterial, coccidiosis or paratyphoid, but I do inoculate; it is not easy to get medicines these days.

I had a pigeon that I set up so he could be upright with support, eat and drink, until he was well, I used an old t-shirt like a hammock, cut holes for legs, and many paper towel changes for the poo aspect. Mine had a broken leg and healed perfect, but I thought this hammock idea may help you keep your Roo upright at least. I used a pigeon crate, you may be able to use a milk crate, then sit his food and water within easy reach. I used a small bench for food and water dishes.

Not sure what your case could be, maybe do some reading to see if he has other symptoms.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-rooster-all-of-a-sudden-cant-walk.828901/
http://articles.extension.org/pages/68294/causes-of-lameness-in-poultry
https://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/lameness-leg-problems/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coccidiosis-how-to-treat-it.64386/

 

[red horse ranch]

My 5 year old rooster had the same thing you are describing. Weak legs and could only stand with help. He would usually crow tho as soon as I got him on his feet.
I put him in a separate coop with some old hens where he lived for around 2 months. But he just kept going downhill and finally died last week. He was skin and bones even tho he was able to eat and drink.
This is the 2nd rooster I've had this happen too. The other one was several years ago and he was also 4 to 5 years old. So I'm not sure what causes it. I suppose chickens can get cancer too. If your rooster doesn't improve just keep him comfortable and let nature take it's course. Sorry I couldn't give you better advice.

 

[sschroeter]

We feed a quality organic pelleted feed

@sschroeter if you have a video that would be helpful. You will have to post it to youtube or vimeo then provide us a link.

It's hard to know what's going on, but with your description it sounds neurological. It also could be nutritional related as mentioned in previous posts.

Providing us with more info like the video, your housing, what you feed, etc. you may get some better suggestions.

It won't hurt to provide some poultry vitamins to see if that makes a difference.

We feed a quality organic pelleted feed from Modesto Milling and veggie scraps. We have started vitamins today and are feeding them directly with a syringe to ensure he's getting them. He is eating and we think drinking on his own (spilling the dish so it's hard to tell). He seemed a little more upright today, holding his head more upright. Here's his video.

 

[micstrachan]

Aaww... poor guy! He’s beautiful. His legs look strong the way he’s kicking. It looks more like he can’t sit or keep himself upright? Can he use his wings?

 

[micstrachan]

I think I’ve read about someone’s chicken getting such a badly impacted crop that tbe chicken kept falling forward. How does his crop feel? Is it emptying at night?

 

[WVduckchick]

Beautiful rooster! Sorry he is having trouble. I get the feeling its neurological also.

Could he have gotten into anything toxic? Poisons? Does he free-range? Any similar symptoms from any other chickens?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We feed a quality organic pelleted feed


We feed a quality organic pelleted feed from Modesto Milling and veggie scraps. We have started vitamins today and are feeding them directly with a syringe to ensure he's getting them. He is eating and we think drinking on his own (spilling the dish so it's hard to tell). He seemed a little more upright today, holding his head more upright. Here's his video.

Beautiful rooster! Sorry he is having trouble. I get the feeling its neurological also.
Could he have gotten into anything toxic? Poisons? Does he free-range? Any similar symptoms from any other chickens?

Agreed.

He is beautiful - I'm so sorry he is not doing well.
It does look neurological to me too. Even though he is 4yrs old, I would be inclined it could be Marek's...BUT you would still want to try to rule out other things that can mimic Marek's. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Have a fecal float to rule out worms and coccidiosis.
Offer vitamins with B's, E and Selenium (you can use human B-Complex vitamins, no iron if needed) most poultry vitamins have E and Selenium is found in egg, tuna and nuts.
Check him over well for any external parasites and treat with a Permethrin based poultry dust/spray if you find any.
Look in his ears - make sure there is no infection or debris (chickens can get ear mites) - ear infections can cause loss of balance.
Has he been in a fight with another rooster - any possibility that he suffered head trauma?
Any possibility he got into anything rotten/moldy?


You can try placing him in a sling to keep him more upright, but he would need to be monitored. Some take to a sling very well, some freak out. Here's an example below, but if you google "chicken sling" you will find tons of images to get creative.

 

[coach723]

Agree with everything in Wyorp Rock's post, that is exactly how I would proceed if he were mine, my thoughts were exactly the same. I would do all suggested, give him some time, and see how it progresses. I sincerely hope he recovers. If he does not, and sorry to put the thought out there, I would recommend you have a necropsy done so that you know for sure what happened. If it is Mareks that would be important info to know going forward for your flock. If it's not, then you will likewise know for sure. I'm pulling for him, and you.