Rooster had a stroke?

[KristinaM]

I think my rooster recently had a stroke, he’s still very young. He barely drinks any water or eats, he eats and drinks only when I’m next to him because his head is constantly moving to one side and I think he can’t see very well, when I offered him some food he started pecking next to the bowl so I have to guide his head to food and water bowls. He want’s to eat and drink water, but he can’t. He also can’t stand on one leg, it’s like it’s paralysed. Has anyone had any simillar experience? I don’t know what to do to help him. I called my vet, he said it could be a stroke or a plague.

 

[ksbkeys]

I think my rooster recently had a stroke, he’s still very young. He barely drinks any water or eats, he eats and drinks only when I’m next to him because his head is constantly moving to one side and I think he can’t see very well, when I offered him some food he started pecking next to the bowl so I have to guide his head to food and water bowls. He want’s to eat and drink water, but he can’t. He also can’t stand on one leg, it’s like it’s paralysed. Has anyone had any simillar experience? I don’t know what to do to help him. I called my vet, he said it could be a stroke or a plague.

So sorry to hear about your Roo. I don't know what is going on with him. I did have a hen reaction like this after eating mushrooms that were in my yard. However that was very short acting and she was fine in an hour. Hopefully, he just gets well.

 

[theoldchick]

Do you have a video of the rooster? Could be wry neck, Mareks, or injury to the head or back. Isolate him, continue with nursing care and see if he improves. https://poultrydvm.com/condition/wry-neck
https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens
https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-to-care-for-injured-chicken-and/

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is he exactly? I would really suspect Mareks disease. Is there any possibility of him being hurt by another rooster? Mareks can cause lameness progressing to paralysis in one or both legs or wings. Some may get changes in their eyes that causes blindness, but not all will. The disease varies in all birds. Make sure that he is fed or kept near food and water. If you eventually lose him I would have your state vet do a necropsy/autopsy to look for Mareks or something else. Here is where to call your state vet and discuss the details before this happens:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Here is some reading about Mareks:
https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vdl/colorado-avian-health-program/mareks-disease/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Eggcessive]

This article about chicken slings and the video below show homemade slings to get a lame chicken upright, keep them cleaner, and in make it easier to eat front of food and water:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[KristinaM]

Sadly I have news. He didn’t survive the night. I tried everything, but I couldn’t help him.

 

[theoldchick]

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. If you lose another, be sure to keep the body cold, but not frozen, and send it to your state vet for a necropsy to get a diagnosis. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Alilbit88]

Sadly I have news. He didn’t survive the night. I tried everything, but I couldn’t help him.

I know this is old but could have been botulism . If he ate something bad it would jack up his nerves. Like a stroke. Sorry for your loss