Rooster scooting along on his shanks

[bjwil]

My roo has been scooting along on his shanks rather than walking; this has been going on for a little over a week since I noticed but I suspect longer. A couple of weeks ago I noticed he was sleeping in the nest box. It only recently occurred to me that he can't hop up on the roost anymore. As I've watched him over the last few days, he hides in the shrubbery in the coop run, can't reach up to the feeder to eat though he does drink from the community water bowl. He's stopped crowing. He's 15 months old. I purchased him as a new chick from the local farm store April 6, 2023 and raised him in a bathtub. I kept the bottom lined with newspaper and paper toweling so he wouldn't walk on the slick surface. When he grew big enough to put out in the run I noticed he walked like a supermodel on the catwalk, one foot in front of the other. That gave way to goose-stepping like a nazi soldier and now he's just scooting along on his shanks.

I've been researching the site for threads on bumble foot and others who've had goose-stepping chickens to see what remedies they've tried but I'm not sure what to try because I'm not really sure of his problem. I have epsom salts, electrolytes, infant ibuprofen, nutritional yeast, and Vitamin B complex but I don't know which to give him, how much or how often until I've identified his problem.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you get some clear photos of both of his eyes?

I'd start him on B-Complex that includes B2 (Riboflavin). For a large rooster, I'd give 1/2 tablet daily.

What do you feed? Make sure he's able to reach food/water easily even if this means moving him to his own pen/cage.

I see a bit of contact dermatitis on the bottom of his feet, this is likely from just laying about. Not sure if he would benefit from a soaking in epsom salts or not.

 

[bjwil]

Can you get some clear photos of both of his eyes?

I'd start him on B-Complex that includes B2 (Riboflavin). For a large rooster, I'd give 1/2 tablet daily.

What do you feed? Make sure he's able to reach food/water easily even if this means moving him to his own pen/cage.

I see a bit of contact dermatitis on the bottom of his feet, this is likely from just laying about. Not sure if he would benefit from a soaking in epsom salts or not.

Thank you for such a quick response.

I've gotten some pictures of his eyes as you asked and some closer pictures of his feet. I started electrolytes a couple of days ago and this morning started epsom salts soaks for 15 minutes and 1 ml of Duravet Vitamin B Complex. It includes 5 mg riboflavin.

He's not really a big rooster, mostly fluff, feathers and attitude. He's taken up hanging out beneath the coop, a fairly small space that measures about 2' x 2.5' and is about 10-11" high. He's out of direct sun and safe from predators there and I can reach him when I need to care for him. Any more thoughts or advice you have to offer will be most appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[coach723]

He does have some pododermatitis on his feet, so soaking and treating topically would be good. After soaking put some plain triple antibiotic ointment on those swollen, irritated areas. I would do that a couple of times a day. Until he's able to walk, I would keep him crated. A B complex or super B complex tablet or capsule (human ones from any pharmacy) would be better, they have much higher doses, and that is often needed to get a deficiency reversed. Once reversed they can usually maintain it. The B's are very safe, extra will be excreted.
Is he the only roo in your flock? I do see what may be pecking injuries on his comb, so I wonder if he's being picked on and kept from feed. Even a hen could be guilty of it. Alternately, if he has a health issue going on, that can draw bullying from others as well.
Crating him will keep him safe, and make it easier for you to monitor him, his eating, drinking, pooping, etc.

 

[bjwil]

He does have some pododermatitis on his feet, so soaking and treating topically would be good. After soaking put some plain triple antibiotic ointment on those swollen, irritated areas. I would do that a couple of times a day. Until he's able to walk, I would keep him crated. A B complex or super B complex tablet or capsule (human ones from any pharmacy) would be better, they have much higher doses, and that is often needed to get a deficiency reversed. Once reversed they can usually maintain it. The B's are very safe, extra will be excreted.
Is he the only roo in your flock? I do see what may be pecking injuries on his comb, so I wonder if he's being picked on and kept from feed. Even a hen could be guilty of it. Alternately, if he has a health issue going on, that can draw bullying from others as well.
Crating him will keep him safe, and make it easier for you to monitor him, his eating, drinking, pooping, etc.

Thank you! Will get the super B complex tablets and follow this advice right away. Should I continue the electrolytes? I'm seeing online that pododermatitis is bumble foot, correct? Again, many thanks. Oh, and he is the only roo. Three hens and a roo but two of the hens can sport a real attitude. He hangs with the third hen, a sweet, docile girl. They seem to be buds.

 

[coach723]

Electrolites are fine, I would alternate them with plain, fresh water. Or offer the electrolite water for half a day and then switch to regular plain water for the other half. If he's eating and drinking well, you probably don't need them.