Firecracker22
In the Brooder
- May 13, 2020
- 11
- 16
- 39
I have a 6 month Silkie rooster who suddenly stopped walking. He started this about 10 days ago. I asked the breeder and they mentioned I should start vitamins right away, but there has been no improvement. It seems his left side just won't cooperate with the rest of his body. He still flops his wings but his left foot is more forward and he leans as well. The first few days he would stand on his right leg and hop around but now won't move. I take him out of his coop every night and he definitely is eating and drinking plenty. I have also tried Epsom salt baths, bathing him with flea and tick shampoo, and put oil on his leg to rule out mites but still no changes. So far no other chickens in the flock have been affected but I am concerned this could be Marek's Disease. The reason I keep putting him back outdoors with the other chickens, even if I may suspect it's Marek's, is because all the other chickens have already been exposed anyways. And if it happens to not be Marek's and he does improve I didn't want to have to "reintroduce" him to the flock again and start that process over. Any ideas from anyone? How long should I expect him to live if it is Marek's? Or if it is a vitamin deficiency how long will it take to see improvement with the vitamins? Thank you everyone for helping out this beginner chicken Mama.