Rooster is lame

[Rick&Chris]

Can we see the bottom of his feet please? Thanks!

In one of your other threads, dosing was suggested/given.

You mention Gout in a thread, now rickets.

Rickets is generally seen in young growing birds that have a deficiency, most likely D3. I wouldn't expect to see Rickets in an adult rooster that's in the sunshine and being fed a nutritionally balanced diet.

Gout is a possibility, but it's hard to see his feet clearly - so if you can get photos from the front of him standing that would be great.

I'd continue with the B Complex, see that he's eating well and drinking. Get a fecal float to see if worms are part of the problem.

Thanks - I know I’m all over the place with trying to figure out what’s wrong with him. It was suggested that he might have gout from the layer feed that he was on. Here’s a photo of him today. Still thin, but eating more and getting 1/3 off. B complex pill per day (today is day 3 of that regimen).

Edit to add: Forgot to mention that a fecal float was done and was negative. I don’t know what Rickets really is, but it was mentioned.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can we see the bottom of his feet please? Thanks!

One leg looks a bit larger than the other.

Can you get a fecal float to rule out worms?

I'd continue with the vitamins, but also introduce some protein to him as well. Are you still feeding a 15% layer feed? Give him fish, meat or egg a few times a week to give him a protein boost. If she wants to feed these tasty things to the girls, then take him aside and feed him separately from the girls.

 

[Rick&Chris]

One leg looks a bit larger than the other.

Can you get a fecal float to rule out worms?

I'd continue with the vitamins, but also introduce some protein to him as well. Are you still feeding a 15% layer feed? Give him fish, meat or egg a few times a week to give him a protein boost. If she wants to feed these tasty things to the girls, then take him aside and feed him separately from the girls.

I had a fecal done, it was negative. I switched them to an all flock 20% feed over a month ago - he only likes it when it’s a wet mash. He won’t eat the treats - and the treats the girls get are limited and not frequent. He loves scrambled eggs. I’ll try to separate him and feed him more protein - will need to bring him inside because he initially ignores the food and really tries to feed the girls first.

I did notice his left leg/foot being larger. What do you think that could be from?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not sure why one is a little larger than the other. Could be injury. What does the bottom of the feet look like?

 

[dawg53]

You mentioned mites in post #3. Were they red mites? Red mites can infect chickens with spirochetes which will eventually bring down a chicken.

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t see any abnormality in his feet that looks like articular gout. Usually, there is a lumpy appearance to the feet and toes. I’m not sure why his left leg is larger, but maybe it is an injury? I would continue the B complex daily, 1/2 tablet orally or 1/2 ml of the liquid orally. I would give him the 20% all flock feed with a little water since he likes that. Just change it out and clean the bowl daily, so it doesn’t spoil.

 

[Rick&Chris]

You mentioned mites in post #3. Were they red mites? Red mites can infect chickens with spirochetes which will eventually bring down a chicken.

No - they were not red mites. They were the lighter color creepy crawlers.

 

[Rick&Chris]

I don’t see any abnormality in his feet that looks like articular gout. Usually, there is a lumpy appearance to the feet and toes. I’m not sure why his left leg is larger, but maybe it is an injury? I would continue the B complex daily, 1/2 tablet orally or 1/2 ml of the liquid orally. I would give him the 20% all flock feed with a little water since he likes that. Just change it out and clean the bowl daily, so it doesn’t spoil.

I’ll keep doing the wet food - they all seem to like that - and I’ll add in more protein for him as suggested by wyorp.

Liquid is awful to give him. I’m sure it tastes as awful as it smells. Someone said 1/3 pill earlier - you think 1/2 is better?

And what else can I give him to help put weight back on?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would give 1/2 b-complex he's fairly large.
He didn't lose it all in a day, so build him back over time.
Fresh feed and a bit of extra protein a few times a week.

 

[Rick&Chris]

I would give 1/2 b-complex he's fairly large.
He didn't lose it all in a day, so build him back over time.
Fresh feed and a bit of extra protein a few times a week.

Thank you!