Rooster down. Please help!

[ChickPeas]

My 2.5 year old NHR rooster was perfectly normal when my DH got home tonight. DH said that when he got home Danielle came out of his enclosure, he ran out like normal and went over to the fence to see the hens on the other side like he does everyday. Then he went over to a bag of ice and lowered himself onto it. He hasn't been able to get up since. My DH brought him in the house and set him in front of a fan and gave him some water. His color is good, but he's squatted with his head down. I tried to stand him up but he's wobbly and is sort of balancing himself on his haunches and he keeps one wing out for balance.

He stays in a 10x6x6 kennel with a shade/sunguard on top, he has a pine sleeping box he goes into at night-it's well ventilated and his bedding is pine shavings. He eats the Dumor chicken feed and lots of treats, but he's not overweight. I can't imagine what the heck is going on.

I called the avian vet but she charges $200 just to walk in the door and that's with no treatment. After the $300 vet bill for my dog last week, I'm a little tapped right now. I don't know what to do. I can take him to another vet tomorrow which I will do, but in the meantime, can anyone shed any light of what could be wrong? Could it be the heat? It was 97 degrees today, heat index 100+. I live in Charlotte, NC

Anything would help!!!!
Thank you..
Liz

Right now he's squatted and his legs are almost straight out in front of him. I can see his little toes peeking out from under his breast. Would it help if I posted a pic?

 

[pamperedpoultry]

I'm no expert but It sounds like the heat got to him. I'd try to keep him cool, and hopefully someone with more knowlegdge on this will come along to help you out.. Good luck

 

[KimberlyJ]

Liz,

My first chicks don't arrive until next week. I've been on BYC reading everything I can to get ready. I read a thread about Botulism in chickens. Perhaps if you search you can find it and see if it sounds like your Roo. I'm sure posting a picture would help. Good luck, Kimberly

 

[boogiedog]

If he has been absolutely fine until sitting on the ice this afternoon, I wonder if in fact he may have created a bit of shock to his system by cooling down too fast. I think keeping an eye on him, his color and keeping him comfy - no more dramatic temp changes - may be the best way to go. You may want to try some electrolytes in water for him, may get him some energy back. Good luck!

 

[juliawitt]

That is some what the experience I am having with one of the Doms. She was just fine, came out of her enclosure, scratched around awhile, then layed down, and won't get up. Won't eat unless hand fed and won't drink unless I hold the water. No obvious leg injury, no impacted crop and not egg bound. She somewhat recovered, went back outside and a repeat performance. I assumed she had heat exhaustion, but then I discovered where she had been scratching had little shards of glass. I actually witnessed her eat a piece. However, I still don't know if her original problem was heat exhaustion, eating glass (or something else toxic) or if she has an injury I can't see. I have several emails out, and If I get any good answers that might help with your problem, I will let you know.

 

[ChickPeas]

Well, took a couple of bad pics before the freaking camera batteries died. Nice. Kodak EasyShare is the pits.

He just pooped..it was a little watery with some white. There's no nasal discharge, no sneezing..nothing. He's just laying down, off balance if we try to get him to stand and his tail is drooped. cry

 

[ChickPeas]

I wondered about a rapid cooldown in body temp as well. My DH said his wattles and comb were super hot but now they're more normal. HE's looking around the kitchen, still has good color, will bup when I've tried to get him to stand, but he will lower his head and close his eyes. I'm going to try some pedialyte and see if that helps.

Thank you for all your help so far guys..if he can just make it to morning so I can get him to a regular vet.

 

[ChickPeas]

He ate some scrambled egg and pita bread out of my hands and he drank some Pedialyte. We put him in a dog crate in the guest room with water, a low fan (not on him, just near the cage for circulation) and some more egg/bread. I'm just praying he's ok til morning.

I love this bird!!! It kills me to think I may lose him.

 

[jjthink]

Sending lots of good wishes.

Keeping him comfortable right now, not too hot and not too cold, in a quiet, stress free area with soothing words and offers of treats, just as you are doing, is pretty much the right thing. Hopefully it was the heat and he rallies. A lovable roo is priceless - I have one and would be just as worried.
JJ

 

[ChickPeas]

Thank you! I've been doing just that...offering him peace and quiet with treats. He's in a dog crate in the guest room. He's beginning to open mouth breathe now and laid a turd that would shut your nostrils down. I wish I knew what to do or what this is!!! He's my love! He runs to me, he dances for me, he's very tolerant of hugs and kisses...he's like a dog almost. He's my favorite bird by far. I adore him...I can't lose him!